Covid-19 has hit our cities dramatically but it has shown how adaptable our human societies are to change and how easily we can adapt the way we work, socialise, and move.

The society has always been evolving, this process needs consistent work in different fields and places. Public mobility spaces are the one's which help people connect to places across the country. Since the crowd is not allowed at public spaces due to pandemic, how can these spaces transform? How do we change the idea of public mobility? NASA India's ANDC 2020-21 gave us an opportunity to answer these questions where my team and I redesigned the existing Haridwar Inter State Bus Terminus.

• 
• 
• 

NASA India

The National Association of Students of Architecture (NASA, India) houses the largest student body organizations in the world with participation from over 300 colleges in India and across the globe. NASA, India is an autonomous, non-profitable, non-political, non-religious, and democratic body for the undergraduate students of Architecture in India. The objective of the organization is to create a platform for architecture students to learn and interact; to engage students across the country through both online and offline platforms.

ANDC 2020-21 - Brief

The Annual NASA Design Competition(ANDC) is NASA’s own design competition, which touches upon issues ranging from current trends to the theoretical approach of architectural design. The objectives of ANDC 2020-21 is to engage the students in redesigning a basic space such as a bus terminus which has huge implications during a pandemic. Students need to take up an existing bus terminus and redesign it for develop a safer and healthier environment to its stakeholders.

Process

Haridwar is a tier 3 town situated in the state of Uttarkhand, India and is the administrative capital of the Haridwar district. It is situated at a distance of 30km from our college, IIT Roorkee. Haridwar has a long-standing position as an excellent source for Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies and its unique Gurukul school system of traditional education. It acts as a cultural hub for Indians and it hosts the very famous Kumb Mela once in 4 years. Therefore, Haridwar’s bus terminal is a relevant selection since it must cater to heavy footfall throughout the year. Analysis about the existing bus terminus, its pros and majorly its pain points are done. Simultaneously, the effects of the pandemic on mobility spaces are also studied. Combining the results of these studies, spatial planning is done. Three major focus points are - Segregation, Sanitization and Social Distancing. Also, we have gone for 100 per cent natural ventilation to minimise the effects of the pandemic. The form is developed in accordance with these points.

• Positioning of building blocks is done considering the sun path to avoid direct sunlight and maximum ventilation through the natural airflow.
• Segregation of Deboarding and Boarding bays is done to reduce crowd in the main concourse.
• Addition of a separate sanitisation area is done to sanitize the buses completely without affecting the normal activities of the bus terminus.

Ventilation

• A naturally ventilated main concourse has been designed since the virus spreads more rapidly in a closed space.
• The airflow is vertical to the circulation of passengers to reduce the chances of contamination.

Circulation

• The circulation of various stakeholders is such that they come in contact as little as possible.
• The circulation of the buses within the bus terminus is designed to reduce the retracing of a path.

Materials

• Furniture should not impede the cleaning process. Germs and dirt can collect in small crevices if rips, tears, or cracks have formed due to daily cleanings.
• Sofas with solid surface arm caps make them easier to disinfect, while tandem seating with fewer legs or a bar system is easier to clean underneath.
• Krion® Solid Surface is a smooth material to the touch, similar to natural stone, which includes advanced properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. It is made up of two-thirds of alumina trihydrate (ATH) powder – of high chemical purity – and one-third advanced monomers, in addition to other additives that favour its application in sanitary interiors.

Segregation

• It is an important design consideration during the COVID era since social distancing is an important preventive measure against Coronavirus.
• The boarding and deboarding bays have been separated to reduce the crowd.
• The main stakeholders of the terminus passengers, employees, and bus staff have been segregated such that their contact is reduced as much as possible.
• A separate entrance has been given for passengers and employees to reduce contact.
• A contactless ticket counter has been provided to avoid contamination.
• The boarding and deboarding bays have been separated to reduce the crowd.