PORTFOLIO - PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE ( 2017-2024 ) NEW

MITALI TARAIKAR

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Tactical Thinking

“Farming in a Box: The Role of Smart Tech in Container + Vertical Farming”

Co - Op Work Experience

KZF Design Bark-A-Lot

A proposal for Eco friendly DOG Park on Central Parkway

Taking the scenic route ( To nowhere)

Studying Paddock Hills : A small and historically significant neighborhood

Public

Spaces

“Public Spaces are symbolic, used by different people or communities. “

“Our Survival Depends On Our Networks”

A Home to Homeless

The Urban Sprawl

(URBAN) isation of Bandra Kurla Complex

01

__ Tactical Thinking

“Farming in a Box: The Role of Smart Tech in Container + Vertical Farming”

Type : Catalyzing Climate Action in Cincinnati through Tactical Urbanism

Name : Plan Making Workshop/Studio (Reserach and analysis done in Group.

Tactical solution is Individual work

Location : Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Year : 2024

The challenge was to change attitudes toward Climate action in Cincinnati by utilizing Tactical Urbanism as a catalyst. This approach focuses on creating long-term impacts through short-term, low-cost, grassroots pilot programs or temporary interventions.

Guided by the objectives outlined in the Green Cincinnati Plan adpoted in 2023, the challenge involves validating these goals by proposing strategies for small-scale projects that test innovative ideas, engage the community, and inform actionable changes.

VISION FOR 2050

“Every Citizen of Cincinnat has access to nutrient dense , locally produced food via a network of food hubs, which also acts to mitigate heat and flooding.”

Approach : The three guiding principles

of Cincinnati

Camp Washington

Percent Population Low Access (LILA) : 45 %

Median Income : $32 ,000

Area taxed as vacant Acres

South Fairmount

Percent Population Low Income Low Access (LILA) : 66 % Median Income : $27,600 Area taxed as vacant land : 82.63

Low Price Hill + Queensgate

Percent

East Price Hill

Percent Population Low Income Low Access (LILA) : 42.5 %

Income : $ 29 ,100

STRATEGIES

CATALOG

SCALABILITY

PLACE MAKING

ACCESSIBIILITY

COMMUNITY CONTEXT

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Site Selection Map

LEGEND

Vacant Commercial lots -

Vacant Residential lots -

Vacant Industrial lots -

Two Sites -

Existing Bus Routes -

-

Existing properties -

Mill Creek -

HEXAGONAL POD USED FOR ORCHARDS AND FARMING

HEXAGONAL POD USED FOR ORCHARDS AND FOR HYDROPONIC FARMING INSIDE IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

MARKET SPACES CONNECTED WITH EACH OTHER HAVING GREEN ROOFS AND DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS.

WORKSHOP PODS WITH GREENHOUSE ON THE TOP AND PLANTING WITH SITTING POD

RESTAURANT AND CAFES WITH SOCIAL SPACES INTEGRATED AND HAVING DIGITAL SCREENS TO SHOWCASE THE MENU

RESTAURANT AND CAFES WITH SOCIAL SPACES INTEGRATED AND HAVING DIGITAL SCREENS TO SHOWCASE THE MENU

GRID :

Natural approach towards formation of hexagons.

SITE PLAN :

Triangular grid is flexible and adaptable.

Different polygons can be formed that are scalable.

Metal bolts used as connectors for structural elements

Metal corrugated panel as walls

Provides strutural stability and makes hexagonal pods more robust

Inspired from Honeycomb which maximises light and increases energy efficiency.

Horizontal placement of pods with steel beams

Stacked pods used as functional spaces on sites

During the summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a planning intern at KZF Design, a multidisciplinary firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio. This experience was very amazing as I contributed to a diverse range of projects spanning planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) fields. It provided me with valuable practical knowledge and helped me in my professional growth.

Although confidentiality prevents me from sharing all details, I can showcase a few images from the projects I contributed to during my internship.

//Co - Op Work Experience

Type : Planning and Urban Design

Location : Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Year : 2024

02

Existing

Frick/Greentree Site | Diagramming Map

3D Modeling: Built detailed 3D models and rendered them to visualize designs within their respective sites.

2/18/25, 9:44 PM

Graphics Creation: Designed various graphics for zoning codes and other planning and landscape architecture projects.

Schematic Plans and Concepts: Developed initial design concepts based on site context and created schematic plans to reflect these ideas.

InterState 70

Research-Based Work: Conducted research and background studies on policies relevant to specific planning projects.

03

A proposal for Eco friendly DOG Park on Central Parkway

Type : Catalyzing Climate Action in Cincinnati through Tactical Urbanism

Name : Elements of Urban Design

Location : Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Year : Spring 2024

The project aimed to design a sustainable dog park on an underutilized parking lot located on Cincinnati’s state campus, bordered by Ludlow Avenue and Central Parkway. Our site plan proposed dividing the parking lot into two distinct dog parks: one designated for large dogs and the other for small dogs. Main features for the design were Safety and Accessibility, Sound and Sustainability and Community-Oriented Design.

Shaded Areas with community seating

Dimensions :

Large Dog Side: 21,780 Sq/ft (1/2 acre)

Small Dog Side: 10,890 Sq/ft (1/4 acre)

Parking :

Park Side: 10,000 sq/ft (30 spots)

Entry :

Double fenced entry, with separate holding areas for large and small park.

Children's play area accessible from Parking lot

Multiple splash/Water areas

Waste Stations :

six waste stations on large dog side four waste stations on small dog side

Includes, recycle bin, waste recovery tools, and biodegradable waste bags

Playground :

Size: 1,500 Sq/ft Accessible from parking lot

running Areas

Puppy Amenities

1. Puppy Beach : Each side includes a splash pad area with a fountain fixture and puppy pools.

2. Barriers : Separators like pipes or play amenties are obstacles that create separation of spaces.

3. Agility Course : Natural obstacles that create separation of spaces.

4. Open Space : Spaces includeopen areas for puppies or dogs to run and play free around in the park.

Multiple obstacles to keep pups stimulated and moving

The design lines the fenced border with native plants and trees to act as a natural sound barrier.

Natural Obstacles that seperate space

//Taking the scenic route ( To nowhere)

Studying Paddock Hills : A small and historically significant neighborhood

Type : Understanding the various forms of Planning

Name : Methods of Physical Planning

Location : Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Year : Spring 2024

04

As roads and highways became the dominant force in the United States, the rise of the automobile focused neighborhoods began popping up across the country. Paddock Hills is one of those neighborhoods. The majority of the buildings that are present today were also present at the start of Paddock Hills. Most of the development that Paddock Hills has engaged in over the past few decades is simply developing the empty land that they have along Tennessee Ave / their central business district.

Paddock Hills has changed very little since its inception, the biggest development this area has seen was the development of Paddock Hills itself – going from rural farmland to a tight-knit community today.

Avon Field Golf Course is the biggest defining feature of the neighborhood. Developed in 1914, it is the oldest development in the neighborhood but also the oldest public golf course west of the Allegheny Mountains, making the golf course a staple in the community.

In recent years, Paddock Hills has seen almost no groundbreaking developments, only one developments has taken shape in the past couple of years, this development which is a senior living facility captures the essence of the neighborhood perfectly. This neighborhood is a very clam, safe, laidback environment to enjoy your days.

With virtually no vacant buildings anywhere in the neighborhood, there is little turnover in their business district or within their residential area. When businesses and people move into Paddock Hills they find themselves to be apart of a supportive and stable community, resulting in residents and business owners becoming longterm members of the neighborhood.

Existing land use map of Paddock Hills

Comparison between Land use and zoning

ZONING TYPE VS LAND USE TYPE

ZONING(ACRES) LANDUSE(ACRES)

__Public Spaces__

“Public Spaces are symbolic, used by different people or communities. “

Type : Research Study and Analysis of Public Space

Name : Public Space : Possibilities and Potentialities

Location : Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Year : Fall 2023

This study is an attempt to study about Public Spaces and how different margenalized people use these spaces.Public spaces often dominate the young and middle-aged, where older individuals tend to be ignored by contemporary urban planning practice. Due to continuous demographic change, a rise in the number of elderly individuals can be predicted in developed nations.

WHY THIS USER GROUP?

USER GROUP SELECTED : ELDERLY PEOPLE

One of the communities which I chose as marginalized are the elderly people who are using the public spaces in various ways and terms.

Talking about elderly people, they are marginalized because of their age factor. Today elderly people are the most liable and sensitive group of people as they tend to become weak day by day and their physical ability to work also deteriorates.

There is a wide range of public spaces apart from the basic idea of public parks or plazas or grounds.

Public spaces can be used by anyone anywhere and how these public spaces will be meaningful to elderly people.

SITE CONTEXT

• Restaurants and cafes

• Washington park

• Cincinnati Music hall

• Residential buildings

• Church

• Community Centre

• Metro Transit System

• Old Heritage Buildings

DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

Nearly as many as elderly men were seen as elderly women, but percent of men is more.

Majorly, 50% elderly people were from the age group of 60 to 70 years, followed by 35% of elderly people who came to this space were between the age group of 50 to 60 years. Only 4 people whom I interviewed were above 70 plus age.

Out of 12 elderly people, 6 were white Americans followed by 3 black or African American , 2 Indian American and so on.

Almost 2/3 rd of the people are retired and 1/3 rd are still working.

Morethan half percent ofelderly live in nearby residential area and only 3% of the people interviewed said they live far and visit once in a while.

• Elderly people are visiting this space mainly for going and meeting with their friends in the restaurants whereas 25% od people said they come here with their dog and others for different activities.

• Most of the women respondents feel unsafe during the night and 40% of men respondents feel unsafe during the night.

From the interviews, concluding that this space is not clean or not visually pleasing, not user friendly for everyone, it lacks sense of comfort and has less environmental quality.

The negative point is the dumpster should be removed as well as there is no place to sit or just relax for a while on the whole street.

But yes, this space has a nice green pocket around the corner which gives fresh air and is useful for the people who have a dog.

It lacks the fun and activity part to make the space livelier and inviting.

Elderly people generally pass by this space and also go to the restaurants nearby that are good for hanging out which fosters social interaction.

Overall, it is concluded that the space is welcoming and has green portions with colorful buildings which is visually pleasing, also good place for social interaction because of the outside dining areas.

Well, adding trash bins and maintaining the space will make it more attractive and nicer.It’s a good place to walk by and take the dog around to pee.

Provide shelter and different options for waiting on the nearby bus stops as well as adding lighting to this space because it gets pretty much darker in the night.

Making the facades of the nearby building more active so as to increase the quality of the space.

Making the space more vibrant and environment friendly. Adding more murals and paintings on the walls of the buildings to enhance the beauty of the street and the space.

Enhancing the green corner by adding more landscaping features and community garden.

Adding lighting would make that space safer and elderly people would use that space often.

Ensuring the environmental quality, easy pedestrian access and flow by introducing places to sit and relax such as adding benches or sit outs.

Provide mobility options like giving the bike options nearby.

Providing more green pockets, street elements and walkable spaces along the sidewalk.

Giving various options for making the space lively and adding different activities like open cafes, playing areas, spaces to sit and relax, giving food trucks options and other fun activities .

This thesis is an attempt to create architectural interventions for Mumbai’s informal Migrant Naka workers by offering social protection, rights, and housing or living in the maximum city. The primary aim is to research the socio-economic living circumstances of Mumbai’s informal Migrant Naka laborers. With migrants’ transitory and informal nature of employment, the socio-economic status of migrants is considerably below the desired level. Migrants’ lack of skill and education puts them in an economic and social situation in the city.

“Our

Survival Depends On Our Networks”

A Home to Homeless

Type : Design Dissertation (Semester 10 )

Name : Plug Ins - A Habitat for Migrant Naka Workers of Mumbai

Location : Postal Colony, Chembur, Mumbai

Year : 2022

DIFFERENT NAKAS IN MUMBAI

The majority of the laborers come from rural Maharashtra.

The fascinating thing about naka labourers is that there is no segregation based on the migrant workers’ regional origin.

Their major source of income is the building sector.

They stated that if they do not work as laborers in the building industry, they will go hungry.

Many of them, though, feel that if they can find a steady job in the city, their living conditions would improve.

The goal of a consistent stream of income is to help in saving.

Migrants want to use their savings to find work in their home country or hometown at a later time in their lives.

MODULAR HOUSING: A SOLUTION?

‘ Migrants are not only primarily employed in informal sectors, but they are also living in informal settlements, commonly referred to as slums.

According to the 2011 census, every fifth urban citizen in India lives in slums; in the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, about half of the population lives in slums. ‘

In this location, over 90% of the population is made up of migrants, primarily from Rajasthan, Bihar, and Haryana.

STACKING OF TWO FLOORS OF MODULES :

The modular type of housing is very feasible and time consuming.

The site located in Chembur serves as mixed use housing wherein includes commercial use.

The commercial sector is being provided to give employment opportunities to workers which include small scale industries , retail shops , small market created inside the green pockets as well as day care centre ,community kitchen , work places and community spaces

The site has six types of residential typologies include single sharing , double sharing , work/live , joint family ,nuclear family and co living type of modules and different public sector activities modules

The modules has small green terraces that contain a varied amount of vegetation and regular natural light is guaranteed for each unit.

Modules are ventilated from each and every side and balconies provided on the north direction of the modules due to major wind flows.

Each and every floor has large corridors for radiating less heat and giving more of natural ventilation throughout the building.

Orientation towards south requires a great amount of solar shading

The east and west oriented balconies are designed with less exposure to direct sunlight.

Floor Plan of a single sharing module :

Floor Plan of a Joint Family type of module :

Floor Plan of a co living module :

Axonometric view showing the interiors of the single sharing module

Axonometric view showing the interiors of the Joint family module

Axonometric view showing the interiors of co living module

Openings provided on the direction where regular winds are coming . View from the corridor which acts an interactive

Section through the Joint family modular building

#THE URBAN SPRAWL

(URBAN) isation of Bandra Kurla Complex

Type : Urban Design (Group Work)

Name : Urban Design of Mumbai

Location : Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, India

Year : Semester 9, 2021

Abstract :

BKC is located between K U R L A

B A N D R A .BKC sits on marshy land on the north side of Mahim Creek and either side of the Mithi River.The aim to develop BKC: To decongest and decentralize south Mumbai.The entire BKC area is divided into various blocks from A to I and spread across an area of 370 hectares. 19 hectares of land is developed out of 25 hectares of marshy land for E Block.

The Bandra Kurla Complex includes business, residential district, transit hubs, public grounds institutional buildings, private, bank, retail, government offices (state and central). Land allocated was placed for the requirements which included parking facilities and open spaces. Effective land allocation policy and complete ownership of land gave MMRDA the much-needed flexibility to carry out requisite infrastructure works.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY

MMRDA was appointed as the Special Planning Authority for planning and development of this complex.

Land was offered at 3000/- per sq.m, but not many took it, though idea to set up a diamond bourse and shift gen traders from panchratna was set in motion.

RBI. Income tax and labour departments, MMRDA, Family court, Nabard bought the land, rates had doubled by this time.

Decade of action for BKC. Is cont`our beginning to change as liberalization unchained the financial sector and banks needed space to expand.

Fancyapartment, complexes came up, with an asking price of 30-55 cr per flat, and high-end bars and restaurants opened-100 at the last count.

Principle 1 : Enhancing the livable Environment

The pattern of development, public spaces and urban facilities can help improve the quality of the environment with minimum disruption.

Principle 2 : Enhancing the face of the street and interaction with built facades.

The characteristic of the structure presently in BKC are isolated, having interactive facades which can reflect the sense of the neighbourhood would build up a great atmosphere to this place.

Principle 3 : Reforming the future of mobility by promoting non motorized transport (NMT)

1. Due to the presence of more public amenities such as the bus stops, parks promoting non-motorized transport is one of the major aspect as it requires low cost, less human resource, easy and quick to implement, scalable and also its environment-friendly.

2. To achieve the sustainability goals of the transport sector, it is necessary to promote use of NMT.

Principle 4 : Adaptive and Flexible Planning

Adaptability and flexibility with respect to sustainability in urban design creates a relationship between user and the buildings.

Section through the buildings and mithi