Case Studies

The walled city of Baroda dates back to 1500 A.D. The geometrical shape of fort wall of the inner city is a perfect square, with one gate on each side, respectively four prominent gates. All four gates are intercepted by main trunk roads, which intersect at the central gate, Mandvi Gate. Each of the resultant quadrants were inhabited by people of a similar trade.

Of the major four quadrants, the selected area falls in the north-western part. Popularly known as Narsinhji ni Pol, the area houses families, which are mostly metal craftsmen. Pol, Khadki, Chowk, Sheri, are the prevalent street-house combinations in this area. Historically people in this area had their occupational space on the ground floor and resided on the floors above. This pattern is still prevalent in some portions. The most astonishing feature of the houses in this area, is the climate responsiveness, not only of the built form, but the entire way of life. The people, mostly Hindus, are loving, secular, adaptive and very proud of their value systems.