Rubanisation
Rubanisation term coined by Architect Tay Kheng Soon. Rubanisation is the rethinking of
the ‘urban and the rural areas as one space’. Where as in urban village concept it can be
seen the division between the rural and urban. As per Rubanisation concept, the idea of
Urban Village: Are They The Precursors To ‘Rubanisation’ 5
conceiving rural and urban areas as two distinct realms is unsustainable in terms of
strengthening our social fabric, preserving the good practices of our cultures and conserving
the environment. Rubanisation put forward the theme of contributing of a greater balance to
working, living, learning, and playing activities by bringing the locations of working, living,
learning and playing within walkable…show more content… Focusing on the problems of existing mega-cities is only
a stop-gap solution. The argument is that in the present mode of development, the countryside
has been largely neglected as cities become 'the exclusive focus of development,' compelling
those in the rural areas to migrate to the city in search of better opportunities. This has
resulted in a massive population explosion in most cities in the developing world, which
manifests itself in the growing presence of slums.
The following elements have been highlighted in the ‘Rurban Model’, which is proposed
by ArTay Kheng Soon.
• Proposes an ideal geometrical model - considers a viable lifestyle choice.
• Ideally ruban settlement be a diameter of not more than 1km (Everything is in
walking distance)
• The density of each settlement is determined by its locality, environment and
economy.
• Each settlement will have its own schools, hospitals, workplaces accommodating
most professions and other basic necessities.
• Green spaces and farms would be allocated in the midst of each settlement to allow
direct availability of fresh farm…show more content… The agricultural lands are consumed by development of sprawling urban
Urban Village: Are They The Precursors To ‘Rubanisation’ 6
areas. Now by selling agricultural land, land owners receive good amount of money which is
often used for construction of buildings. As the area is near to urban areas and has
comparatively cheaper rental properties, it becomes hub of lower income class. This
increases further demand of more buildings which are met by uncontrolled construction due
to absence of building bye laws and municipal interference. The whole process increases load
on the infrastructure and the area starts getting transformed into slum kind of settlement.
There are multiple socio- economic impacts of these transformations.
The concept of Lal Dora in Delhi is an example of this phenomenon. The name was first used
in 1908, and under this scheme, non-agricultural land of villages were demarcated, initially
with red thread from where it has got its name. The agricultural lands were acquired for
development.
5 Parameters for study
For analysing that whether urban village are precursor to Rubanisation or not, the study has