DESIGNING (IN)CONSTANT INFRASTRUCTURES

This project delved into the intricate fabric of Indian urban life by examining street vendors as '(in)Constant Infrastructures': vital systems of provision and exchange that exhibit both flux and continuity. Collaborating with the Sathwara women in Bhuj, we prototyped a range of urban street carts that not only encapsulated our research findings but also sought to transform their interaction with the urban environment, bolstering their resilience to both climate and economic challenges. While recognizing that these prototypes did not provide absolute solutions, they offered innovative alternatives to the existing conditions faced by micro-entrepreneurs, while simultaneously enhancing the quality of local public spaces.

The prototypes consisted of three distinct scales, which determined their name in Gujarati:

‘Nano’ (small): a piece of movable furniture designed to replace the pots and buckets carried by women on their heads. Featuring compartments for clothing and utensils, this cart not only alleviates physical strain on their neck and spine but also doubles as a resting space within their ‘pheris’ (rounds of sourcing).

‘Vachlo’ (medium): this improves on the conventional street cart by introducing a steering system, significantly reducing the abdominal strain that women usually suffer. Additionally, it provides a resting space, ample shade, and multiple levels for merchandise display and storage.

‘Motto’ (Large): reimagines the metallic structure of traditional street carts by maximizing space utilization and offering adjustable side levels for garment display. It also gives plenty of flexibility to modulate which side to open, providing adaptability in response to changing environments.