Development of Under Spaces at Peeragarhi Overpass

New Delhi

The project was approached as urban recovery rather than redevelopment. The strategy prioritised landscape structuring, spatial programming, and visual order instead of heavy construction.

Working within a limited budget, the design focused on accessibility, safety, and visual clarity. The objective was to create civic value through minimal intervention while ensuring the model could be replicated across similar under-flyover sites.

Modular planning bays support transitions between open office environments, enclosed cabins, and meeting spaces. Circulation planning ensures clear visitor movement, examination flow management, and segregated access for public, staff, and service users.

The project demonstrates how design-led planning can convert neglected infrastructure into socially positive public environments using low-cost, high-impact strategies.

The landscape strategy introduces a thematic spatial narrative inspired by river delta formations. Layered dry landscape textures simulate natural terrain conditions while maintaining low maintenance requirements.

Stone clusters, boulder formations, and riverbed-inspired material palettes create tactile engagement while referencing natural landscape systems. Existing structural remnants from flyover construction were retained and integrated to preserve site authenticity.

Multi-level planting islands and sculptural seating zones support short-duration public use and casual interaction while discouraging misuse during low activity periods.

Safety and public usability were embedded directly into spatial planning. A police beat post was introduced to maintain visible security presence and improve public confidence in using the space.

Pedestrian ramps and crossover connections improve safe movement across both sides of the flyover, strengthening daily commuter accessibility and urban permeability.

Lighting strategy, seating geometry, and landscape boundaries were designed to encourage positive public activity while reducing misuse during low-activity periods.

Under-flyover conditions required planting strategies adapted to low natural light environments. Shade-tolerant species were selected to ensure survival and reduce maintenance complexity.

Native and low-maintenance planting improves long-term sustainability even with limited maintenance resources. Instead of water-intensive features, the project uses dry riverbed stone textures to create visual water narratives without operational water demand.

These systems ensure environmental performance while maintaining long-term operational viability.

The Peeragarhi Overpass under-space project demonstrates how overlooked infrastructure can be transformed into meaningful civic assets through design-led planning.

The intervention combines landscape strategy, public safety integration, and low-cost activation methods to convert a neglected urban void into a functional public environment.

The project established an early benchmark for adaptive infrastructure reuse in India and influenced similar under-flyover public activation strategies across Delhi and other urban regions.