CHAPTER-3 CASE STUDIES
2-CASE STUDY
THE PUNJAB UNIVERSITY:
The University of the Punjab was established on the 14 th October 1882. Initially
Government College was established in 1864.
Punjab University was located in the down town Lahore.
It was hemmed by the commercial structures in non academic environment.
This doesn’t allow expansion except through land acquisition at prohibited cost.
The absence of master plan which would provide for the rational growth of the
university existing facilities.
Affiliated college was a further obstacle hindering extension possibilities.
These difficulties were coupled with the awareness that revitalization of the
university of the Punjab could strengthen the future leadership led to the decision
to” bring together in a more suitable part of the city, all colleges and departments
to form a university new camp
View of old campus
TOTAL AREA:
1781 acres of University land on both sides of the canal upto Thoker Niaz Baig.
MASTER PLAN:
1959 DOXIADIS associates were interested with the preparation of a master plan
of the campus together with the complete design and supervision of the
university. The principal design concept of a gridiron plan lay upon the linear
spine provided by the canal.
In 1959 a master plan was submitted to the university authorities and also other
drawings as:
Institute of education
Department of natural sciences
Department of social sciences
Student’s hostels etc
Construction was started in 1960.
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LOCATION OF SITE:
The site of the University of the Punjab (new campus) is at 5 miles distance from
the centre of the city of Lahore between the Multan road and a line running
parallel to the Lahore branch of the Bari duab canal from the village of jivanana.
The site is under the Lahore improvement trust except for a strip projecting south
westward. Now-a-days there is one side garden town in almost south, in south
west there are residential colonies as Mohammad Ali Johar Town, PCSIR Colony
and Engineering University Colony, on North-East side there is Zaid Bin Sultan
Hospital.
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MASTER PLAN OF PUNJAB UNIVERSITY
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CHAPTER-3 CASE STUDIES
DESIGN CONCEPT:
The site of the Punjab University is located along the canal. Keeping in view the
natural factor the master plan was designed in linear form.
LINEAR PLANNING:
The canal being a dominant natural factor, led to the development of a linear
plan. This has increase distances between various activities. Increase travel time
in the climatic conditions of Lahore can be very fatiguing and taxing. The never
ending canal becomes monotonous at times. The long distances are a physical
and financial trouble for the students, the staff and the visitors.
Due to linear form of the university the hostels are kept on left side of the canal
along, thus having common facilities between them and on the right side there
are academic block, administration block and residential colony. Further
development is along the canal.
View of departmental building
ZONING:
The campus is segregated into different zones on the basis of function. The main
academic zone, male and female hostels, recreational zone and affiliated
institutions.
There are 19 students’ hostels having a capacity of 200 students each. All the
hostels are triple story and on the South East bank of the canal. All other
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CHAPTER-3 CASE STUDIES
academic buildings, staff residences and common facilities are on the North
West of canal.
The recreational zone is bit too distant from the academic zone to be fully
utilized. Moreover it is laid out linear instead of in a cluster form, which makes it
difficult for the spectators to have an easy access and choice. Green belts have
generously been provided to act as a buffer zone between different zones. The
campus however lacks a heart.
PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR CIRCULATION:
The canal that provides a picturesque spine for the campus is also the factor.
This disturbs most the vehicular circulation pattern. One-way on either side and
too few and high connecting pedestrian bridges across the canal cause people to
violate the traffic rules. The good thing is that once in academic area, vehicles
are left behind and circulation is strictly pedestrian in wide corridors.
Pedestrian and vehicular paths
PARKING:
The parking spaces provided in front of the departments cannot fulfill the running
requirements and vehicles have to be parked alongside road. Large parking lots
are provided at various places around the campus but people like to bring their
vehicles right up to their destination.
Students have started to bring in their motor cycles in the corridors thus creating
a lot of noise and disturbance. The problem was being solved to some extent by
installing chains at various points of corridors.
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CHAPTER-3 CASE STUDIES
View of parking
DESIGN AND CLIMATE:
Climatic conditions are considered quite reasonable in the design of the
University of Punjab New Campus. Fist of all, covered passages are provided
throughout the academic block constructed in front of classrooms and
laboratories. Most of the buildings in the campus are so placed that there longer
axis faces north/south orientation, which is best for academic buildings. Glazing
is comparatively used more but it is mostly covered by louvers and thus it does
not create glare problem.
Designing of academic block
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CHAPTER-3 CASE STUDIES
BUILDING CHARACTER AND MASSING:
In the students residential zone, cluster of buildings arranged so as to enclose
well defined squared spaces between them are examples of good sign. In the
main academic block buildings are connected by corridors and divided by green
belts. The use of concrete and brick provides a maintenance free finish but they
have not been used with much imagination. No prominent architectural elements
have been used and there is no link with local architectural traditions.
View of different academic blocks
CONCLUSION:
From the observed data and analysis following major conclusions could be
drawn:
Linear type of campus planning.
Different blocks are under construction.
Separate pedestrian pathways are provided but have to cover long
distances.
Library served as the most important gathering space in the campus.
Defined area for future growth.
Landscaping and plantation is provided in the campus.
Segregated residential and educational spaces.
Well defined open spaces are provided within the departments.
Verandas are also provided in the departments.
Glazing is comparatively used less according to the hot climatic condition.
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CHAPTER-3 CASE STUDIES
Wide pedestrian corridors are provided.
All the departments have their separate parking.
Most of the buildings in the campus are so placed that there longer axis
faces north/south orientation, which is best for academic buildings.
The campus is segregated into different zones on the basis of function.
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