Studio Sakha’s The Nagpur Tales Team recently organized a heritage walk to celebrate the exceptional street planning principles of Centra Avenue. The event, led by renowned conservation architect Sandeep Pathe, aimed to showcase the careful consideration given to both vehicular traffic and pedestrian needs in this iconic Nagpur street.
Centra Avenue, located in the heart of the city, boasts a remarkable collection of architecture from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. The street is characterized by its collonade walkways, large doors, seamless window arrangements, horizontal bands, rounded corners, and intriguing facade patterns, making it one of Nagpur’s most architecturally rich commercial areas.
The heritage walk took participants on a nostalgic journey, immersing them in the ambience of the 1960s era. Noteworthy features include a central street flanked by covered collonades on both sides, providing pedestrians with protection from the city’s extreme weather conditions. Ar Pathe, a prominent architect, lauded Centra Avenue as an exemplary case study for pedestrian walkway design due to its innovative collonade concept.
During the walk, attendees marvelled at the meticulous typographical design and style displayed on each building’s name, showcasing the area’s attention to detail in its architectural heritage. Engaging discussions revolved around the challenges faced by Central Avenue, which has been overshadowed and neglected by modern developments, such as the Metro. The event emphasized the importance of adopting a special planning and design approach to revive this historic precinct.
Studio Sakha’s The Nagpur Tales Team, with the support of Himanshu Kene and Armaity Bharucha from Sakha, played a pivotal role in organizing the successful heritage walk. The event aimed to reignite a sense of appreciation for Nagpur’s architectural past and promote a thoughtful approach to future development.