The thesis challenges conventional notions of the social and explores the intricate relationship between humans and the imminent commons. It confronts the consequences of neglecting the imminent commons (water, earth, air) in urban environments, urging a re-evaluation of design principles. The research reveals ecological risks from prioritizing human desires in land use and proposes innovative solutions in the agri-food system to bridge rural-urban divides with the main research question how can architectural intervention through productive landscapes bridge the gap between city and land, people and food? Advocating for sustainable cities, it highlights the reliance of London on an unsustainable global food network. The project reimagines the Newham city farm, which happens to be a part of the Beckton Park redevelopment Plan. By challenging commodity-driven perspectives, the design explores the intrinsic eco-social value of land and the detrimental impact of unsustainable agriculture and food miles as it focuses on the interplay of material and immaterial flows in our daily lives, with design shaping our interactions with the environment.

The design aims to reconnect the social and ecological aspects through productive landscapes as it establishes three pillars: productive landscapes as social spaces, restoring the experiential connection to land, and fostering eco-social production, paving the way for a sustainable future.

The impact of urban morphological changes on heritage structures and their surroundings is investigated in this thesis. To accomplish so, the thesis focuses on and investigates the case of Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri, which was built in the 12th century. The temple serves as the spiritual heart of Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest religions. As one of the country’s ‘Char Dhams (four prominent Hindu temple locations),’ it is crucial to the city’s economy. The inflow of pilgrims to the temple on significant occasions like the Ratha Yatra (Chariot Journey) surpassed the support system’s basic capacities. Grand Road (main road) for key religious rites degraded over time as a result of commercialization of the surrounding area, leading to illegal settlements as well. The urbanization of the area surrounding the temple has also adulterated the temple’s pinnacle’s visibility. The government of Odisha has presented a plan by Puri Konark Development Authority to transform the city of Puri into a world heritage city by 2031 in order to protect the temple and its significance. The thesis examines three architectural dimensions – setting, scale, and space – to better comprehend the factors that influenced the government’s decision. The research is limited to the urban changes in the 19th century, 20th century, and latest developments because considerable urban growth occurred in the last few decades. Site visits, photographic documentation, and comparative analysis were all part of the research for developing Serial Vision using the method of Gordon Cullen. Furthermore, Kulke and Hunter W. Stirling’s publications, as well as news articles, were useful resources for understanding history and stakeholder perspectives. Finally, the thesis explores the government’s document plans and how they may aid in the restoration of the temple’s monumentality.