HYDERABAD: The master plan of Andhra Pradesh capital city, Amaravati, has been prepared in compliance with Vastu, the ancient Indian science of planning and architecture.
“Vastu has played a critical role in Indian city planning and architectural design since ancient times. The Amaravati city concept has been derived from the Vastu city planning principles. These principles help in identifying the city’s urban pattern, ceremonial axis and ensure positive flow of energy into the new city,” the state government said in the final blueprint.
The concept plan encompasses the following Vastu principles to develop a comprehensive city master plan.
SITE SELECTION
Vastu lays emphasis on site selection based on its topography and position of nearby hills and water bodies. The site has been chosen within the capital region due to its proximity to Krishna river, Amaravati and Vijayawada.
CARDINAL AXIS
Vastu-based city planning lays emphasis on aligning the primary roads and important city axes along the north-south cardinal direction and the equator. The concept plan adopts this principle to determine the alignment of the central administrative centre and all major city roads.
RECTANGULAR GRID
The concept proposes development of the capital city in a rectangular grid aligned to cardinal directions with primary roads aligned to north-south poles and the equator. This connects life with cosmic structure, and individual intelligence with cosmic intelligence. This grid network will also help in developing east-facing residential blocks in future.
NORTH-EAST AXIS
Vastu suggests that the north-eastern winds bring in positive flow of energy into the region. Hence, the Amaravati Capital city concept suggests development of a north-eastern axis to welcome flow of positive energy into the new city. As Vijayawada city lies to the north-east of the proposed site, the new capital city will tap on the north-eastern corridor to tap on the first entry point from Vijayawada. The city planning also lays emphasis on central core open space as central magnet of development.
Growth Corridors
The master plan for the capital city proposes 3 important axes which serve as potential corridors within the city as per Vastu. They are:
Civic Axis
The concept plan proposes an important north-south cardinal axis housing the state’s civic core with administrative functions like the Assembly, government offices and others. The scenic Kondapalli and Neerukonda hills form the anchor to this axis. These hills will form scenic backdrops at either end of the axis.
Recreation Axis
A north-eastern axis is planned along the existing the Kondaveeti Vagu anchored by the historic Kanaka Durga temple and Neerukonda Hill. This axis will be developed as the city’s recreational corridor with a number of parks and open spaces with no development edge along either banks of the river. The recreation axis will also bring in positive flow of energy as highlighted in Vastu principles.
Waterfront Axis
The concept plan also proposes an axis along the river front lying between the civic and recreational axis. This axis will house the city’s downtown area with a vibrant waterfront commercial district that will create a distinctive skyline for the Amaravati city.