542_shristi_youth Center.docx

THESIS PROPOSAL

YOUTH CENTER -A PLACE FOR POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Prepared for the partial fulfillment of the requirements of fifth year first part of Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture under Department of Architecture, IOE Thapathali Campus, Tribhuvan University

By: Shristi Joshi 2071/B-Arch/542

To: Tribhuvan University IOE Thapathali Campus, Thapathali Department of Architecture

March, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 3

2.

BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................... 3 2.1. Nepal’s Scenario ........................................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Problem Statement: ..................................................................................................................... 4

3.

OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................... 5

4.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT......................................................................................... 5

5.

LITERATURE STUDY................................................................................................................ 6

6.

METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 7

7.

LIMITATION ............................................................................................................................... 9 7.1. SUBJECTIVE LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................. 9 6.2.

GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATION............................................................................................ 10

6.3.

TIME FORMULATION ..................................................................................................... 11

7.

CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................... 11

8.

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 12

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1. INTRODUCTION Project Brief Youth center is a service center that aims to build a strong foundation to the youths in order to help them prepare for the future as an independent individual. It is a social and recreational center that provides opportunities to all the youths from adolescents to young adults through various activities. The center provides many facilities for learning, interactions, recreation etc. to develop their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities. It focuses on the overall development of youths so that they can enhance their creativity and knowledge. The Youth center offers programs for physical activities such as dance, yoga, sports and also for learning new things and exercising their talents and hobbies. Along with the various activities, the center also provides necessary counseling and guidance for those young adults who are facing emotional and mental struggles that are common in this phase of life.

2. BACKGROUND Youth is the crucial period in a person’s life. “It is best understood as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to adulthood’s independence and awareness of the interdependence as members of a community.” (social and human sciences, n.d.) Youth is the time for psychological development and the creation of personality, interests, way of perceiving the world as well as gaining knowledge and skills. The young people learn to develop their individual identity in the society during this phase of their life. Youths are considered as the dynamic population who are responsible for the future of the nation. They have the potential to bring new ideas and enthusiasm within a community with the help of proper guidance, knowledge and opportunities. They are human resources filled with great ambitions and it would be a great loss if the youths are not given the opportunity to exercise their talents. 2.1. Nepal’s Scenario The development of youths in Nepal’s context has been one of the weakest compared to the south Asian countries and is placed at 145th place in the world youth development indicator. According to the International labor organization, nearly 36% of the unemployed youth force in Nepal is not connected with economic production and skills due to which many youths are attracted towards foreign employment (Youth Vision -2025, 2015). Along with poverty and lack of employment opportunities, another reason for this is the lack of career guidance and vocational trainings through which the youths would be able to self-employ themselves. There are various youth clubs and organizations under the both government and non- government level, working for providing services to youths in case of trainings, empowerment, education, sports etc. Some of the popular youth organizations in Nepal are:  

We Inspire Nepal (Win) Dayitwo Nepal 3

   

Change Fusion Nepal Yuwa Youth action Nepal Youth Initiative, etc (Youth legend, 2015).

These organizations aim to educate and empower the youths by indulging them in various activities like volunteering, participation in community activities in order to create a better society. Many youth clubs are also established primarily for different sports as well. All these organizations are scattered in our country and they don’t have a common platform for collaborations since there is no center built specific for the purpose. 2.2 Problem Statement: The youths of our country have the potential to be of great service to the society, however, in order to do so, they require the platform and the opportunity. In today’s world, the education system has been limited to books and the amount of information you can cram to bring good scores. The pressure of getting good marks can overwhelm many children especially to those who are lacking in the field. In this crucial time of their life, adolescents are only subjected to memorized knowledge, while disregarding their individual passion or interests. Therefore, they need to have a place where they have the freedom to explore as well as practice their interests which can be provided through the youth center. Consideration for the needs of the youth, oftentimes, does not extend physically beyond the home and a good school. Society understands that a good education is imperative and most parents do the best they can to provide a good home but as children become teenagers they begin to start searching for their own identity, where they fit in socially and culturally. This process is crucial as they begin to enter into adulthood. They need to build and form their own identity that is not limited to the boundary set by the parents and school teachers (Audibert, 2015). Another problem is that our society does not consider youth while building built environment and spaces due to which we can find youths in our society loitering in the streets. In order to spend their leisure time and hang out, youths can be found in the streets while some don’t go out of their house at all. Due to this youths may face various mental issues such as anxiety and depression as well. Some may also follow wrong path if not given proper guidance or a chance to express. The times of the youth sets the foundation of their life for the future, therefore, it is very important for the youths to pursue right path so that they can turn out to be better individuals in the future.

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RESEARCH QUESTIONS These are some of the research questions that were established for the literature study:   

How can a building and the surrounding environment encourage physical and mental wellbeing of children? How can design help in creating healthy minds and encourage social interaction among youths? How can architecture contribute in enhancing creativity in the minds of youths?

3. OBJECTIVES The main purpose of the facility is to promote overall development of the youths from adolescents to young adults by providing them platform to engage in various activities within the premises and interact with many individuals so that they can enhance and broaden their field of knowledge and be prepared for their future. Some of the objectives are:   

To enhance the learning environment of youths by developing their talents, enhancing creativity and engaging them in various productive activities. To create a place for recreational and socialization activities for interaction and help them develop their individual identity and build their self-esteem. To provide them with proper counselling and guidance regarding their career, future and also making sure for their emotional and mental wellbeing.

4. JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT Youth center is definitely a necessity in our country after stating the above problems that youths are facing. As youths are the most dynamic and creative population in a country, they require proper guidance and opportunities, in order to be a better citizen in the future. Adolescents and youth represent a positive force in society. Leisure time is a significant part of young people’s lives and is important for adolescents’ psychological, cognitive and physical development. The center facilitates young adults to spend their leisure time engaging in various productive activities in their otherwise wasted leisure times. Adolescence is a period of physical, psychological and social transformation from childhood to adulthood. As young people go through puberty and adolescence, they require adequate amount of exercise and physical activity in order to be healthy both physically and mentally.

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Youth center will be a common platform to all youths of different backgrounds and culture to engage in different activities while collaborating and sharing their knowledge. The students will be able to participate in varieties of activities according to their individual interest so that they can be able to reach their full potential. Youths are able to display or perform their creativity in their respective field like art, music, literature as well as have social interactions while using the center. The youths will also have the opportunity to learn the important qualities in life in the young age such as communication skills, leadership quality, critical thinking ability, self- learning attitude etc. that seem to be lacking in the schooling system of our country. The youth center will be a place where the youths can participate in different activities that would help with their positive growth in all sectors; it will serve as a second home to them.

5. LITERATURE STUDY Proposed areas for literature study are:   

Design to promote physical activity Architecture to unleash creativity and innovation Space for engagement

Creativity through Architecture (Dijk, 2014, Creating Creativity) The report discusses on several ideas on how creativity can be generated in the minds of individuals such as using natural elements, proper social setting, autonomy, experiencing unexpectedness etc. Various buildings and built environments were studied in order to learn about the creative work environments. The research on the architectural means are discussed to stimulate the creative mind and enhance innovation which is beneficial to the research on my thesis. Open spaces for youths (Travlou, 2003, Open space: the research centre for inclusive access to outdoor environments) This literature review discusses on the perception of youth on the open spaces and also about its characteristics for a proper communal space desired for youth. It has also provided with elements that are necessary for the open spaces to cater for attracting the young generations which will be beneficial for my research and design, however, further research from other sources is also necessary.

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CASE STUDY For national case study, there isn’t any youth center built, so I will carry studies from different youth clubs. As for the international context, following are the list of case studies that would be studied for the project.  

REACH Ashland Youth Center, USA Euralille Youth center, France

6. METHODOLOGY Research phase 

Literature Review

This is preparatory phase for thesis project in which data, facts, spatial needs and requirements are studied focusing on the approved topic. The required information for the project is gathered through the literature review of books, reports, articles, research works, surveys and other related documents regarding the data for the project. In the process of information collection required data are also revealed and analyzed. If needed survey work is also done for data collection. 

Case Study

The collection of first hand data is accomplished with studies of various national and international projects. Case study helps to analyze the existing case and design a better space to solve the short comings of the existing buildings. The materials required for the research on main objectives and their physical transformation of the ideas into architectural spaces will be studied from various national, regional and international case studies. All the findings gathered in this phase will be applied in our design phase. Design Phase     

Site selection and Analysis Program formulation and zoning Conceptual design Design development Final output for presentation

This phase will orient itself on creating proper design through conceptual design and design development that is obtained after data collection and analysis. The conceptual ideas will be worked out extensively and through successive discussions and consultations; with advisors, concerned professionals and other necessary personals, design will be finalized. 7

The research will follow a mixed method, qualitative/quantitative approach. The process includes the project site identification, literature study, case study of the similar projects or building situation and design program formulation. From the case study or research, the design concept is developed. The process is graphically illustrated below.

General overview

Aims and objectives

Literature Study

Site Selection/Analysis

Statement of Research Objectives

Case Study

Data Collection/Analysis

Typology research for design

Concept Development

Final Design

Fig: Methodology Chart

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7. LIMITATION The youth center will provide the opportunity for youths to develop their creativity and talent through the programs included as well as design. The main objective is to promote positive development of youths through engaging in different activities where they can both learn and have fun.

7.1. SUBJECTIVE LIMITATIONS The youth center will have following limitations: 

 

In Nepal, 16-40 years of age are considered as youth, however, the youth center will be targeted for adolescents to young adults from 15 to 24 years of age only; the center sets limitation for young children and adults. Despite the growing interests of youth in politics, the research on youth center will not include the political sector. The youth center will only cater spaces for activities that are mentioned in the program formulation despite the varieties of interests youths may have.

Tentative Program Formulation Following are the tentative list of programs that the youth center would cater obtained from research: Educational (learning/creating)      

Activity rooms/ Classrooms (for leadership trainings, group activities) Arts rooms (music, dance, art, sculpture) Multipurpose hall Auditorium Library Art Gallery

Health and well being 

Counselling and guidance room

Recreational      

Indoor/Outdoor Sports (Basketball court, futsal, table tennis) Gym Game room/ Play room Cafe Open space, park and plaza Interaction area

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7.2. GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATION The site for the youth center is chosen in the Kathmandu district since Kathmandu valley being the capital city, is one of main destination for students of all around the country. Kathmandu has the highest proportion of youth as well- 52.9%. Children from different district migrate to Kathmandu for higher education and employment opportunities. With the youngsters of various cultural differences and upbringing, residing in the same city, I want to create a center where they can all gather and meet in a single venue and interact with each other. So, to choose a particular area in the Kathmandu valley, I would like to choose a place that is neither too far from the core area nor too densely packed. After doing some research, I chose the site in kirtipur. As kirtipur is relatively less crowded compared to the core city area, and also it is surrounded with nature, the place makes a potential space for children to escape and nurture their growing minds. The main key factors to be considered during site selection for the youth center are as follows:   

It should be in a peaceful place segregated from the hustle of the city area. It should be within or near the residential area for connection with the community. It should be easily accessible via transportation or within walking distance proximity to the roadways.

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7.3. TIME FORMULATION

Figure: Time formulation

The thesis is proposed to be completed within four months.

8. CONCLUSION Hence, the proposal declares that the project ‘Youth Center’ will be completed in the above mentioned time frame. From the general literature and case study done above, I have prepared a tentative list of program formulation which I would be incorporating in my design. The youth center will thus be a place for children and youth to reach their full potential and grow with a healthy mind and body. This project is an initiative for youth to have a sense of own identity and a place to call their second home. The project will mainly focus on the educational and recreational aspect through both indoor and outdoor components that will be featured in the project.

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9. REFERENCES Audibert, D. K. (2015). INVESTIGATING YOUTH’S IDENTITY AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO BUILT FORM. Dijk, J. (2014). Creating Creativity ‘a study into architectural means to stimulate the creative minds and enhance innovation'. Millard, C. (2015, June 1). Young people and placemaking: ENGAGING YOUTH TO CREATE COMMUNITY PLACES. Retrieved from www.pps.org: https://www.pps.org/article/youngpeople-and-placemaking-engaging-youth-to-create-community-places Siestrezewitowska, M. (2013). PUBLIC SPACES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY YOUTH. Retrieved from https://suw.biblos.pk.edu.pl/downloadResource&mId=1136163 social and human sciences. (n.d.). Retrieved from unesco.org: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/socialand-human-sciences/themes/youth/youth-definition/ Travlou, P. (2003). OPENspace: the research centre for inclusive access to outdoor environments. Edinburg.

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Youth legend. (2015, Jan 10). Retrieved from Youthlegend.com: https://www.youthlegend.com/10youth-organizations-nepal-develop-potential-young-people/ (2015). Youth Vision -2025. Kathmandu: Nepal Government.

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