Productive Wild Commons
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Tags
Public space, Urban Design, Landscape design, productive landscapes, Lake design, Thaltej lake
Author: Bhavishya Khatri
“Productive Wild Commons” transforms a degraded 3.8-hectare water catchment in Ahmedabad into a resilient ecological common within the rapidly urbanising context of Thaltej. Adjacent to the metro corridor, the project reimagines the site as a breathing urban lung that restores water systems through wetlands, runoff filtration, and productive native ecologies. Conceived through ecological, egalitarian, and economic principles, the landscape integrates fruiting and medicinal species that encourage seasonal harvesting, biodiversity, and public stewardship. Social infrastructure along road edges activates the public realm through gathering spaces, vending zones, and community interfaces, generating local economic opportunities while enhancing accessibility. Composting systems, productive landscapes, and regenerative water cycles make ecological processes visible within everyday life. The project ultimately creates an inclusive recreational loop that bridges environmental resilience, social engagement, and economic vitality within a dense urban fabric.