1

PERCEPTION OF AN URBAN PUBLIC

PLACE
A CASE STUDY OF MARTYRS’ SQUARE, TRIVANDRUM

Anjana Mary Jacob

Marian College of Architecture and Planning
Marian College Rd, Kazhakkoottam, Menamkulam, Kerala 695582
[email protected]

Abstract: Now a days, every city develops at a very fast One of the most important features of urban life today is
rate. Many factors contribute to this huge development. complex social relationships. Part of the relationships are
Many parts of the city have various forms and physical in the work environment, but much of them take place in
structures. Urban places and its different forms have a big the form of social interaction in the urban place concept.
influence and effect on the people using it. Urban places in So, urban place plays an important role in the social
current scenario are important due to different reasons. So development of citizens. Social interactions are formed in
it is necessary to analyse if an urban square is working these places. A social zone is defined and also the
good today. Only by evaluation can we identify the issues mechanisms of collective life are experienced. Thus the
affecting its performance. This dissertation aims at absence of a suitable urban place can cause social ills in
understanding Martyrs’ Square, Trivandrum. Martyrs’ cities. Squares are one of the most important urban areas
Square is a very important urban place in Trivandrum, and have long been the context of formation of social life.
India. Many political and other activities are held here. The impacts of quick changing monetary and social
The Martyrs’ square at Palayam Trivandrum, a 64 year conditions have progressively become notable on how
old urban space, which was originally placed as landmark individuals use and shape their surroundings. The urban
for the region, was used for several gatherings and populace has been drastically expanding overall and hence
occasions. The immediate surrounding areas saw huge physical structure of the urban areas changes always, for
development in the eventual years. Martyrs’ Square the most part in negative ways. As the populace expands,
became an isolated spot in the midst of all the newer the interest for infrastructure and equipment becomes
developments and buildings around it. The gatherings and greater. Privatization and decentralization are the two
ceremonies started happening in a confined fenced area noteworthy worries on the eventual fate of the urban areas
with the commemorative tower in the middle of a traffic and open spaces.
intensive urban area. In spite of the area limitation,
gatherings and public events continue to be held there. When it comes to urban space, public space and urban
This study is an attempt to explore how Martyrs’ square square, many scholars have different opinions. Some have
has evolved as an urban space and how to understand its identified urban spaces with a number of different
behaviour in the current scenario. This study also draws perspectives (Krier, 1979, p.15). Also having a physical
down to different methods of improving the performance of approach of urban space, identifies space as the form
Martyr’s square as an urban public square. (without imposing aesthetic criteria). 1Subsequently, Rob
Krier characterizes urban space as the “external space”,
Keywords: About four key words or phrases in “all types of space between buildings in towns and other
alphabetical order, separated by commas. localities.” The concept of urban space needs to take into
consideration the physical, social and symbolic aspects at
1 INTRODUCTION the same time. Urban spaces are important segment of
daily lives (Francis, 1987, p. 23). Such activities of daily
1.1 Background life take place both in public spheres and private spheres.

India is in a rapid phase of development. The development Public spaces also depict a crucial and essential part of the
occurs in various phases and in certain areas. Usually a ‘democratic’ community life, particularly urban squares, a
settlement pattern rises along the core area of growth. The public property that serves as a site with the expectation of
spaces and its functions changes according to the period complimentary discourse and free judgment of chose
and planning of the area. Spatial organization of today is authorities in full perspective of others. Public spaces are
more chaotic and dense. There is a geometrical irregularity important components of daily lives. The public space
but it goes on with harmony with the humans. A state of concept covers an extensive variety of roles and capacities
disorder can be seen in various public spaces. Hence, these in a variety of physical setting such as streets, squares,
spaces should be designed with respect to functions and plazas, market places and parks. This study aims to focus
their connections with the surrounding environment. The on the public urban spaces such as squares.
public spaces should be in correspondence with the culture,
traditions, history and sentiments of the people of the 1
Importance of Urban Squares as Public Space in Social
particular area.
Life- Master Thesis in Sustainable Urban Planning by
Armin Abbasian
 2

Every society has its own particulars for such urban public places. One of which is the urban square. Urban squares
open spaces, every one of these terms addresses a typical are open public spaces which reflect the cities’ identity and
point which is: ‘the open space for public use’ concept of the communities’ cultural background. They are where
urban square. In this respect urban squares have a social people of the community gather and “urban life” takes
angle in appreciation of its public dimension and a spatial place since the ancient times. As the fundamental
facet because of its physical organization. Urban Square component of the city structure, urban squares contribute
frequently has been an image of social communication and to the image and prestige of the city. The urban area
majority rules system. According to Kevin Lynch, an urban evolves with time and it can have both positive and
square is the “activity focus” in the centre of dense urban negative effects. It also plays a major role in influencing
areas. He states that “. . . it will be paved, enclosed by high the people in terms of various aspects. Hence, it is essential
density structures, and surrounded by streets, or in contact to know various aspects of an urban square and what all
with them. It contains features meant to attract groups of characteristics contribute to a perfect well-functioning
people and to facilitate meetings” (Lynch, 1981, p. 443)2. urban public square.
As a result, I think that an urban square is one sort of urban
open public space that focuses on the public space system, 1.3 Aim of the study
providing a forum for interchange, both social and
financial, and a focus for civic pride and community
To understand urban spaces and to evaluate the
expression.
performance of Martyrs’ Square Trivandrum as an Urban
Square.
In urban planning, public space has generally been
characterized as “open space”, which means the streets,
parks and amusement regions, squares and other freely 1.4 Objectives
possessed and oversaw outside spaces, in contrast with the
private area of lodging and work. Despite that, the late The primary intention of the study is to identify certain
advancements of the types of urban settlement and the parameters that are characteristic of well-designed urban
increasing number and assortment of semi-open spaces squares and to evaluate whether Martyr’s Square satisfies
oversaw by private-open or totally private organizations the identified parameters, and if so how does how is it
addresses this thought acquired from a legitimate point of perceived as suitable urban space by its users.
view. Nowadays, public places should be understood as not
quite the same as people in the general area of the state and [i] To understand urban squares, its typologies,
its subdivisions, but instead as a place available to the characteristics and functions.
general population. Urban public squares are assumed to
be a key part in the urban structure and city life, turning [ii] To understand and analyse the Urban theories
into an advantaged component keeping in mind the end pertaining to urban spaces of Roger Trancik, Kevin Lynch.
goal to advance regional attachment.
[iii] To identify various forms and planning of urban
The performance of urban spaces gradually evolves with squares and undertake an comparative analysis
time, developmental pressures, outlook of the people etc. It
can change for good or for bad. No matter what the integral
attributes of a good urban space has to be retained in spite [iv] To evaluate the performance and behaviour of
of all development activities if the space has to be relevant Martyrs’ Square, Palayam, Trivandrum as an urban square
to urban users. This is usually not the case in many places. and its behaviour
This dissertation tries to understand about the idle
attributes of a good urban space. Further it tries to 1.5 Research Questions
understand through an example how the evolution of an
urban space over period has changed the behavioural • What are the various parameters for analysing the
pattern of the urban space. It tries to analyse if the changes quality of an urban square?
prove good for the current users or not. Martyrs’ Square
Trivandrum, has been chosen as a Case study to explore
• Does the performance and behaviour of urban
the above aspect in this study. spaces change with time, if so how do the user adapt
themselves to it?
1.2 Need of the study
1.6 Scope
The fast changing social and economic conditions have a
huge effect on how people use and shape their space and
• This study evaluates various urban squares and its
environment. The urban structure today has significantly characteristics through secondary sources. Trivandrum has
increased worldwide and as a result the social and physical
so many urban spaces. This study restricts itself to studying
structure of the cities changes accordingly. As the
Martyrs’ Square alone. Further it only evaluates the current
population increases the demand for spaces also increases. performance of the delineated space of Martyrs’ Square, it
Privatization and decentralization are the future of cities
does not analyse the reasons for the various developments
and open public places. There are various types of public
around the Square.

• The study only covers the analysis and evaluation

2 of an urban square with respect to various parameters
Importance of Urban Squares as Public Space in Social
Life- Master Thesis in Sustainable Urban Planning by identified from the different urban theories studied. There
Armin Abbasian
 3

are different types of urban spaces, however this study 2.2 Urban Square
focuses only on Urban Squares.
According to Lynch, an urban square is the “activity focus”
1.7 Limitations in the centre of dense urban areas. He states that “. . . it will
be paved, enclosed by high density structures, and
• The pandemic situation prevalent in India from surrounded by streets, or in contact with them. It contains
March 2020 onwards posed a lot of challenges and features meant to attract groups of people and to facilitate
restrictions. This study to a certain extent has been affected meetings” (Lynch, 1981, p. 443). There are various types
due to the same. of Urban Squares based on various factors.

• Logistical issues and restrictions to gather at 2.3 History of Urban Squares

public spaces posed a major limitation. Hence most of the
user interviews had to be undertaken through online The history of urban squares is understood through various
medium. time periods and ages. 3

1.8 Methodology 2.4 Types of Urban Squares

Stage1: Forming a framework through the data collection.

Literature reviews are selected with the intension to collect
information regarding public squares

Stage 2: Formulating parameters for understanding urban

squares and literature case study

Stage 3: Literature case study and its analysis

Stage 4: Live case study and comparing the literature

review study along with understood urban square
parameters
The basic two types of classification of urban squares by
Stage5: Findings and conclusion about Martyrs ‘Square urban theorist Rob Krier and Paul Zucker are analysed. 4
and methods of improving the square.
Fig 1 Types of Urban Squares
Methods used: Case Studies, Questionnaires, Literature
review, Observations. Source: IntechOpen

2 DATA ANALYSIS 2.5 Urban Squares in India

2.2 Introduction The evolution of urban squares in India according to

various time periods are identified. These are analysed
An urban place is an area where many people live and with examples.
work together. It is the exact opposite of rural which
consist of farms and nature. Urban place includes the 2.6 Functions of an Urban Square
towns and cities. Urban spaces are those spaces between
buildings in towns and other localities which is
geometrically bounded by a variety of elevations. It is only Urban squares have a diversity of roles and functions since
the clear legibility of its geometrical characteristics and its they are the important and necessary forms of public
aesthetic quality which allow us consciously perceive spaces that attract vast number of individuals with a wide
external space as urban space. (Rob Krier, 1979). assortment of activities. It is a place where people have
positive social interactions, meet each other, have lunch,
hold a friendly chat, watch the world pass by, read
Urban places are public spaces which can be open spaces something, rest for a while or shop around.
or semi open spaces. They are usually framed by building
within an urban settlement. They create an image of a city
which remains in the minds of a person visiting the city. According to Lynch (1992), a public space performs as a
The image of an urban space is a result of not only its built place where people can express, confront difficulties and
form (massing, form, facades, character of the buildings take risks, all of which may create a condition of tension or
etc…) and enclosed space but also the activities that are
held in that space. But most of today's urban spaces in
cities do not convey a sense of place, have poorer visual 3
and aesthetics quality, they lack of strong architectural Designing Urban Squares, Advances in Landscape
character, with which they can be associated. Architecture by Murat Z. Memluk

4
Paul Zucker: Town and Square( New York, Columbia
University Press 1959)-pp.8-17
 4

relaxation – both of them needed for metal and  Activity

psychological wellbeing of humans. They are the places  Spatial Organization
where one can meet other individuals, experience diverse  Image
methods for conduct, or simply put, they are the places for  Size
“social interaction".  Landscaping
 Site Furniture
3.1 Performance analysis of a good Urban Square by  Focal Elements
various Urbanists
3.2 Literature Case Study- Times Square, NewYork
Rob Krier was a renowned architect, sculpture, urban
designer and theorist. His book "Stadtraum In Theorie & Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist
Praxis" in 1975, analysing urban space systems, brought destination, entertainment center, and neighbourhood in the
him instant recognition. His main goal was for the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City, at the
establishment of articulated space in cities. He seeked to junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Brightly lit by
reproduce the quality of public life of older cities which he numerous billboards and advertisements, it stretches from
missed in modern cities; and to rediscover the essence, West 42nd to West 47th Streets, and is sometimes referred
scale, architectural organisation and geometry of the house to as "the Crossroads of the World”, “the Center of the
in relation to itself and to the city. Universe”, “the heart of the Great White Way”, and "the
heart of the world”. One of the world's busiest pedestrian
Kevin Andrew Lynch was an American Urban planner and areas, it is also the hub of the Broadway Theater District
author. He is well known for his work on perceptual form and a major center of the world's entertainment industry.
of urban environments and mental mapping. Lynch's most Times Square is one of the world's most visited tourist
famous work, The Image of the City (1960), is the result of attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors
a five-year study on how observers take in information of annually. Approximately 330,000 people pass through
the city. Using three American cities as examples (Boston, Times Square daily, many of them tourists, while over
Jersey City and Los Angeles), Lynch reported that users 460,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square on its
understood their surroundings in consistent and predictable busiest days. Times Square, New York is basically an
ways, forming mental maps with five elements. amorphous type of square where crossroads meet. An
active area is created here.
1. Paths
3.3 Literature Case Study -Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad
Paths are along which he observer moves. These may be
street, walkways, railroads, transit lines etc... People The walled city of Ahmedabad has developed on
observe the city while the move through these pathways. traditional city planning principles centuries ago and even
now it thrives as a vibrant community space, comprising
majority of the Hindu population. The public space is
2. Edges served mainly by the active market places, attracting
people and entrepreneurs from the local community and
Edges are linear elements which are not considered as the city for several centuries. Today it is home to a diverse
paths by the observer. The may be barriers which may or community.
may not be penetrable which separates one region from
another. E.g. outline of a city by wall or water. Manek Chowk is a collaboration which act as a connecting
space, cultural space, open space, interaction space and
3. Districts commercial space. Manek Chowk is located in the heart of
historic walled city: Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is situated
Portions of a city in which an observer feels “inside of” between two nationally protected monuments, the Tombs
and which are recognizable by having some common, of the King and Queen of Ahmedabad. Manek Chowk is a
identifying character. traditional business centre and also one of the most
important public spaces of the Walled City. It comprises of
4. Nodes formal and informal commercial activities, religious and
cultural sentiments, and a vibrant public life. The
commercial activity in Manek Chowk is as old as the city
They are intensive foci to and from which an observer is of Ahmedabad. Its central location and easy accessibility
travelling. Strategic spots in a city on which an observer are the main reasons for the commercial activity to
enters. E.g.: junctions flourish.

5. Landmarks 3.4 Literature Case Study - Connaught Place, Delhi

They are a point of reference which is external. They are Connaught Place is one of the largest financial,
usually simply defined physical objects such as buildings commercial and business centers in New Delhi. It is often
or monuments, mountain etc... abbreviated to CP. It was developed as a showpiece of
Lutyen’s Delhi with a prominent Central Business District.
Other urban square performance parameters:- It is located at the center of the city, near Karol Bagh. The
Inner Circle of Connaught Place is Rajiv Chowk while the
 Accessibility Outer Circle became Indira Chowk. Prior to the
construction of Connaught Place, the area was a ridge,
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covered with kikar trees and populated with jackals and

wild pigs. Residents of the Kashmiri Gate, Civil Lines area
visited during the weekends for partridge hunting.

Three important nodes enclosed in hexagons of the same

scale India Gate: the hexagon being its physical boundary.
Government House: the hexagon being the layout of roads
around it. Connaught Place: the hexagon being
circumscribed about a circle this circle being the outer
circus of Connaught place. C.P. was the original
commercial center of Delhi. It attracted visitors from all
corners of Delhi.
FIG 3 TIMELINE OF PALAYAM
4 MARTYRS’ SQUARE, TRIVANDRUM, KERALA
Source: Urban Design report S* 2016-21 Batch, MCAP
4.1 Palayam, Trivandrum –History
4.3 Palayam and Martyrs’ Square, Palayam- Evolution
Palayam or Cantonment, as it is locally known, one of the
busiest localities in Thiruvananthapuram (also known as Martyr’s Square is located at the core center of Palayam
Trivandrum), the capital of Kerala State in India. It is home over an under passage. This space is used for carrying out
to many of the administrative, cultural, and educational political activities as well as other meetings. It includes the
institutions in Kerala. It gets its name from the fact that it Martyr’s Column Monument which stands as a mark for
used to be camp of the royal army and cavalry of the remembering the heroic patriots who gave their lives in the
erstwhile kings of Travancore. It extended from the struggle for freedom of India. It was unveiled by Dr.
Cantonment House in the North up to A.K.G. Centre in the Rajendra Prasad, the then president of India on 14th
South, including areas now occupied by the University August 1957. Now this Monument acts as a major
Stadium and Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium. The Army landmark of the Trivandrum City.
subsequently moved to Pangode. The cavalry, however,
remained at Palayam. 4.4 Current Scenario at Martyr’s Square, Palayam

The name "Cantonment" is not much in use for the area, At present Palayam Martyr’s Square is used as a space for
though that name is still associated with the police station holding political meetings and other strikes. A crossway is
near the Secretariat, "Cantonment Police Station". At provided in front of Martyr’s Square and many people use
present, "Cantonment House" serves as the official it. Martyr’s Square acts as a central core form the Palayam
residence of the Leader of the Opposition. area. An underground passage goes below the Martyr’s
Square.
4.2 Martyrs’ Square, Palayam, Trivandrum- An
Introduction 4.5 Context Analysis and Activity Analysis

Palayam is one of the busiest location in Trivandrum. It is

a mixed use place. There are many cultural, commercial,
administrative and educational centers in Palayam.
Palayam lies at the intersection of National Highway and a
historic corridor which showcases several mesmerizing
architecture styles like Colonial, Indosarsenic, Islamic,
Gothic, Kerala Vernacular, Modern. Post-Modern-
Colloidal style, Gracco-Roman style etc... The unique
character of Palayam is marked by the coexistence of
religious centers- Juma Masjid, St Joseph’s Church,
Ganapathi Kovil and the temple inside Connemara Market.
Fig 4 Palayam current scenario
These religious centers together in one place stands as a
proud example all around the world, of its religious
tolerance and harmony among its citizens. Palayam can be Source: Urban Design report S* 2016-21 Batch, MCAP
described as the major commercial district of the city. Also
many political events take place here especially around the 5 PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF MARTYRS,
Martyr’s Square. SQUARE, PALAYAM

Fig 2 Palayam 5.1 Relevance of Martyr’s Square as a major public place

Source: Urban Martyr’s Square is one of the major public places in

Design report Trivandrum. The urban place is surrounded by a busy
S* 2016-21 B economic, religious, administrative and educational
Batch centers. Martyr’s Square has a very important identity as
there stands the “Raktha Sakshi Mandapam “which
exhibits the immense respect for the freedom fighters of
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India. Many political as well as non-political protests and • Improvement of the surrounding context
meetings are held here which also states the importance of
the place as an urban square. The buildings and areas surrounding Martyr’s Square do
not have a certain form nor any special visually appealing
5.2 Martyr’s Square and Urban Square performance appearance. Changes can be brought in terms of design to
Analysis incorporate the area as a whole and not restricted to a
particular building or area. A sense of uniformity can be
• Analysing with respect to urban square created to gain an aesthetically appealing appearance.
perspectives of urban theorist Rob Krier, Kevin Lynch and
other urban square performance parameters identified. • Adapting certain measures to create a more people
friendly and eco-friendly place

The public place does not contribute to any comfortable

features for the usage of public. Some measures can be
taken to promote public activities in the area and create
more open spaces for public to actively use it. Using eco-
friendly measures also educate the people in terms of
saving energy and recycling.

• Provide adequate seating spaces and open spaces

for public

At present there are no seating spaces provided for public

in Martyr’s Square. Public settings can be provided for
public so that they can sit and enjoy the activities and
views surrounding area. More landscaping and trees can be
provided to increase its natural perspective.

• Making the area more user friendly

FIG 5 MENTAL MAP OF MARTYRS’ SQUARE Certain design changes can be adopted to make the urban
area more user friendly. By comparison to other case
Source: Author studies, Martyrs Square is less pedestrian friendly. Design
changes can be adopted to make it a more user friendly
space.
5.3 Comparison of Martyr’s Square and other Case studies
• Provide visually appealing views
Comparing Martyrs’ Square with other case studies and
deriving conclusions.
Visually appealing areas can be created by adopting design
changes
5.4 Identifying potentials for improving the performance of
Martyr’s Square
6 QUESTIONAIRES
The case studies studied includes Times Square, New York
which is a famous urban public place in New York, a 1. Are you familiar with Palayam Martyr’s Square?
commercial and economic hub of the city. Manek Chowk
is a urban place in Ahmedabad which is a very busy place Option 1- yes
in India which includes various activities and is very dense
and crowded. Then there is Connaught Place which is a Option 2 - no
well-designed urban area in Delhi. Martyr’s Square is an
urban area which is developed mainly on its own due to the 2. Do you find the area as easily accessible?
changes in its context. In comparison we can understand
that in certain areas Martyr’s Square has certain limitations
compared with other urban public squares. These may be Option 1- yes
in terms of spatial organization, site features etc… But all
these can also contribute to the function of the area as a Option 2 - no
whole. The people have adapted themselves to go on with
the current context and use the urban area actively. 3. Do you find the area to be a very crowded place?

But this can be made better by incorporating certain design Option 1- yes
changes an addition to the existing scenario of Martyr’s
Square. Some changes which can be adapted for better
Option 2 - no
functioning of Martyr’s Square in terms of its performance
are:-
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4. Do you find the place aesthetically appealing and does value as an urban space and the current development
this place provide all the requirements of an urban area? activities happening around it, it is important that both of
them coexist in a well-balanced manner. Even though
Option 1- yes Martyrs’ Square functionally works as a decent urban
space, theoretically there is scope for a lot of improvement
so that the overall spatial quality of the locality is elevated.
Option 2 - no

5. Do you recommend this urban area for others to come AKNOWLEDGMENT

and visit?
On the very out set of this report, I would like to extend my
Option 1- yes sincere and heartfelt obligation towards all the personages
who have helped me in this endeavor. Without their active
Option 2 – no guidance, help and encouragement, I would not have made
headway in the project. I am ineffably indebted and
5. Do you find this urban square to create an image to the extremely thankful to my guide Associate Prof. Ar.
city? Sairam. R Sir for his consciousness guidance and support
to accomplish this dissertation. I extend my gratitude to my
principal Ar. Dileep C.V who gave me the golden
Option 1- yes opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic
“PERCEPTION OF AN URBAN PUBLIC PLACE: A
Option 2 – no CASE STUDY OF MARTYR’S SQUARE,
TRIVANDRUM”. I also acknowledge with a deep sense of
6. Which one do you find appealing to you as an urban reverence, my gratitude towards my friends who did Urban
public place? Design on Palayam. I also extend my acknowledgement to
my family members who helped me with the project and
all my friends who had been a constant support throughout
the completion of this dissertation.
7 CONCLUSION
Any omission in this brief acknowledgement does not
mean any lack of gratitude.
Urban places have a major role in the development of a
city. By understanding an urban place we can find many
factors affecting it and analyze it in terms of different REFERENCES
parameters. Different urban squares vary in accordance
with various aspects. Martyr’s Square is a major urban
[1] Public Squares: An analysis of an urban space form and its
public place in Trivandrum City. Martyrs’ Square at functional determinants by George Michel Peter 1963
Palayam Trivandrum has originally been designed as well [2] Advances in Landscape Architecture by Murat Z. Memluk
planned Urban Square at the most appropriate position [3] Streets As Public Spaces: A case study of Manek Chowk by Ar.
taking in to consideration in Geographical location based Amrita Shukla and Prof. Neerja Desai Navratra
on the various political and other administrative building in [4] Perception of urban public squares in India by Vaishali Sharma
the region. It has always served its purpose of being an [5] Public Spaces: 10 Principles for Connecting People and the Streets
Urban Square by facilitating the gathering of people for by Priscila Pacheco
various purposes. The eventual elected governments have [6] Good City Form by Kevin Lynch (1995)
tried their level best to protect the true essence of the [7] Urban Open Spaces in Historical Perspective by Benjamin W.
space. Retaining the Square atop the underground passage Stanley, Barbara L.Stark Michel E Smith
is a true testimony to this. However due to urban [8] The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch (1960)
development pressures the immediate premises of the [9] Finding Lost Space. Theories of Urban Design by Trancik R (1986)
Square have undergone vast changes in the past few [10] A Pattern Language .towns buildings construction by Alexander .C
decades. The direct and indirect pressures of surrounding (1977)
developments, traffic, vehicular movement etc. has [11] Public Space, Place of urban life by Francisso M Sendoura and
definitely affected the spatial quality of Martyrs’ Square as Jorge M Ribeiro
an urban space. However in spite of all its restrictions, the [12] Urban Space by Rob Krier
Square still behaves as a proper urban space. The people
using the place have adapted themselves to use this area as
it is. This area has evolved through various times and has
gone through many changes. Had the surrounding
development taken into consideration the worth of such a
public space in the location, certain well planned
allowances could have been made. By understanding of
this urban place we can find many different aspects of the
area in terms of political, educational, religious and
administrative functions. The area has evolved through
time and is a good example of an urban public square in
Trivandrum even though it lacks many features compared
to other urban squares in the country and the world. Taking
the historical significance of the Martyrs’ Square and its
8