The Northeast (NE) region of India is of great strategic significance due to its proximity to various national borders. Designed for better connectivity and communication, the township development at Likabali, located at the Assam border, is a part of a larger plan to reinforce harmony in this remote urban context. It aims to develop a holistic infrastructural framework with a structured approach to stabilise the unorganised development in this region.
Spread along the Himalayan foothills over an area of 250 acres, the site is located 30 km from the Brahmaputra River and has a total built-up area of around 1,20,000 sq.m. The focal point of the master plan is the government headquarters building, which is strategically placed on the central axis of the linear site and is envisioned to be a notable landmark. The planning integrates residential blocks with public facilities such as religious institutes and various sports and recreational buildings. Additionally, a 200-bed hospital provides a much-required healthcare facility in this isolated region. The site planning is complemented with efficient landscape, balancing the built forms with green areas for the public. Designed with clear views, a sense of order and clarity of movement, the development seeks to reinforce the aspects of stability and self-sufficiency in this region.
The architectural expression of the township references the local climate and topography of the region and has been implemented in all the built forms cohesively. Considering that the area witnesses thunderous downpours for almost 7-8 months, the buildings are designed with sloping roofs ranging from 15 to 30 degrees. The slope of the roof is designed depending on the scale of the building and its provisions for rainwater harvesting. Additionally, a system of twin roofs is designed for some buildings to prevent structural damage from water seepage. As the state of Assam lies in the seismic zone-V, all the buildings have moment-resisting framed structures which help redistribute the loading forces to prevent a collapse.
Sustainability is one of the core concepts that drives the design of the project, and is a response to the climatic and natural conditions of the region. The housing blocks are aligned linearly on the east-west axis to optimise the sun and wind flow. To combat solar heat gain, cavity walls and double-ventilated rooftops are implemented within the building blocks. Moreover, reusable metal formwork and scaffolding are used instead of wood as a measure of sustainable construction practice.
The northeast has long remained one of the sensitive regions in the country. The problems of political violence, inter-state disputes and underdevelopment have remained integral to the region's economic development. This self-sustained township project aspires to re-instil a much-needed sense of belonging within the residents, providing them with employment opportunities and local sites of recreational and public engagement. It further creates avenues for economic growth and local development in the long run, making it a benchmark for sustainable township projects in India.
