Alice Dong

ECOGrove

The persisting threat of climate change remains a prominent issue in our society as it continues to cause destructive changes to our landscapes and economies. Responding to the current and future socio-ecological conditions of Kolkata, India, this thesis delivers a design approach that is biologically, socially, and culturally integrated. A series of plug-in typologies are introduced in effort to treat water pollution, combat sea level rise, and revitalize the riverfront. Using a biomimetic design method, a proposed resilient floating community responds to the dynamic ecological forces and fluctuating environment of the region by mimicking the form and function of mangrove ecosystems.
Map of major disturbances along the river, including projected flood-prone city areas, water pollution, and major industrial sites.
Riverfront activity also significantly contributes to the pollution of the river as indicated by this map, in which shows the infrastructures that provide the main points of access to the water as well as festival times.

The Hooghly River is a main distributary of the Ganges and holds major religious significance for close to a billion people. However, it suffers from many problems, including flooding during the monsoon season and collecting waste material from industrial sites and sewer pipe outlets. Excessive pollution along the river is also the direct result of cultural and religious activities, including idol submersions, giving offerings, performing burial ceremonies, and bathing. Residents are brought into direct contact with the river especially during festival seasons where three major ones take place in October, November, and January. Some of these rituals pollute the river, which has become a major public health issue for Kolkata as they continue to create unsuitable conditions for people to be immersed in the water.

These diagrams suggest the current state of the river and the proposed intervention, as well as possible participants for the project.

I am proposing an intervention for the river that will aim to tackle these issues by introducing a series of typologies that will work together to treat water pollution, mitigate sea-level rise, and revitalize the riverfront while also accommodating the social and cultural needs of Kolkata residents using biomimicry. With the mangrove forest of the Sundarbans located in the periphery of Kolkata, mangroves are used as a design model for my proposal. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that help protect coastal regions from intense tropical storms, waves, and erosion. They serve as a flood barrier by absorbing the force of wind and waves, reducing the damage caused by cyclones and other storms. Furthermore, they reduce GHG emissions by capturing and storing waste carbon dioxide while their complex exposed root system nurtures aquatic organisms.

These 6 typologies each have unique functions and can be combined accordingly to operate as an ecosystem, performing environmental, cultural, and social enhancements.
The plug-in structures are distributed following a rhizomatic growth pattern and can be configured to respond to the weather patterns and environmental conditions of the city.
The pontoon system provides an adaptable buoyant base composed of sustainable and recycled materials. The interlocking mechanisms allows subtle vertical shifts which allows the platforms to rise and fall with the water tides.
The greenhouse not only functions as a mangrove nursery, but it also harvests rainwater during the wet season and stores it for future needs with the deficit of water during the dry season. When mangrove plants are mature enough, they will be transported to the desired location and placed in bamboo structures. Over time, the artificial roots will decompose and natural mangroves will protect the shoreline.
By mimicking the function of natural wetlands, this floating infrastructure uses bioremediating plants to treat the polluted water while also providing rich habitats for fish and other aquatic organisms.
The pier structure serves as an educational space where visitors can observe the artificial mangroves roots underwater, working to foster community engagement, educate the public, and bring awareness.

In response to the disconnection between humans and their landscapes caused by urbanization, this project utilizes architecture as a gradient between the two environments as it is designed in harmony with nature. By using mangroves as a design model, the river is reimagined, climate change can be naturally mitigated, and the symbiosis of architecture and nature is achieved. This floating community responds to current and future environmental threats of the city and aims to regenerate a socially and environmentally sustainable body of water while preserving the river’s cultural significance. By submerging the built infrastructure into the natural environment, architecture, water, and vegetation will constitute one whole element.