2. Case Studies

This is a Bylakuppe settlement in Southern Karnataka. There are two camps; one is an old camp and the new camp. So what you can see is the religious buildings and when you have the commercial spaces here and you have the Tibetan camps and the local villages. So, you can see this is a very clustered setup; each of them has a very unique layout.

Bylakuppe is a Tibetan settlement located in Southern Karnataka, India. It comprises two distinct areas: the old camp and the new camp. The layout of this settlement is characterized by close proximity of different functionalities, such as religious buildings, commercial spaces, and residential areas for the Tibetan community and local villagers. This clustering creates a unique environment where various structures coexist closely.

Imagine a vibrant neighborhood where temples, shops, and houses are all within walking distance from each other. This setup is similar to how Bylakuppe's different functions are intertwined, creating a lively community atmosphere.

The old camp they have given about each in a 40 Gunthas is about 1 acre and 1 Guntha is about 33 by 33 feet. So, what they did was they divided the land distribution in 40 Gunthas as farmland and 6 Gunthas. So, there were 6 Gunthas of residential and 40 Gunthas of farmland so that they can do the farming and whereas, in 1969 when the new camps have been formed, so where they talked about 32 Gunthas in a farmland and the 16 Gunthas as a residential land.

In the old camp of Bylakuppe, the land was allocated in a way that prioritized farming and residential needs. Specifically, out of 40 Gunthas (equivalent to approximately one acre), 6 Gunthas were reserved for housing while 40 Gunthas were used for agriculture. However, in the 1969 new camps, a different approach was adopted with 32 Gunthas for farmland and 16 Gunthas designated for residential spaces. This change indicated a shift towards recognizing the importance of more residential areas as the community evolved.

Think of a family expanding their house as their children grow up. Initially, they may have only had one room for everyone, but as they need more space, they start building or converting areas into bedrooms. Similarly, the land distribution in Bylakuppe changed to provide more living spaces for its residents.

If you look at the transformation and how it is reflected in different patterns, one is the new camps, you have planned in a gridiron pattern with farmlands around the residential core and whereas, an old camp they planned along with the streets and you can see that the houses are led along the streets and also the community spaces in the new camps they are equally shared you know, they are equally accessible.

The layout of the settlements in Bylakuppe showcases different planning approaches. The new camps adopted a gridiron pattern, which means the streets and buildings are laid out in a systematic, checkered design, with residential areas at the center surrounded by farmland. In contrast, the old camp developed alongside natural streets, giving the area a more organic layout. This organic arrangement also promotes community interaction as houses line the roads, while the new camps offer shared community spaces that are accessible to everyone.

Picture a city planned like a chessboard, with streets running straight and neatly, contrasted with an old-fashioned village where houses are built based on available space, often leading to winding roads and close-knit communities. Each layout serves specific community needs and aesthetics.

In an old camp transformations in 1960s, you have the primary road and you have the secondary road and from the monastery and this is how the dwellings were but then today people start building up and then it becomes crowded.

Over time, especially since the 1960s, the old camp of Bylakuppe has witnessed significant transformation. Initially, it was organized with clear primary and secondary roads leading from the monastery, establishing an orderly settlement. However, as more families arrived and built additional structures, the space became increasingly crowded, resulting in a more congested area. This evolution highlights the dynamic nature of urban habitats as communities grow.

Think about a small park where a few families came to have picnics, and it was peaceful. Over the years, more families joined, and soon it became difficult to find space, with toys and blankets taking up every available inch. Similarly, Bylakuppe’s growth resulted in a crowded settlement.

And this is how what you can see is the kind of the new camps, how you can see a more or less a kind of uniform heights with the dwellings and a similar artistic representations of their facades and the compound walls and the flags over the top of the terraces.

In the new camps, the architectural design exhibits uniformity in height among the buildings. The dwellings showcase similar artistic designs, from façades to compound walls, reflecting a coherent community style. The presence of colorful flags on the terraces adds to the identity of the neighborhood. This architectural consistency fosters a sense of belonging among the residents.

Imagine a street where all the houses follow a similar color scheme and architectural style, making it instantly recognizable. Just as these houses create a uniform look and feel, the new camps in Bylakuppe represent their shared culture and community spirit through coordinated designs.

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