Employing Lessons from Traditional Water Tank Spaces to Enhance the Spatial Vitality of Contemporary Public Spaces: Insights from the Temple Tanks of Madurai, India.

It is well known that the lack of appropriate urban design and planning strategies has resulted in the degradation of the urban environment. Subsequently, it has also affected the quality of urban life. As cities evolve, rediscovery of both the formal and informal public spaces therefore becomes essential. Public spaces adjacent to traditional urban water bodies, such as temple tanks serve as a crucial interface between water and land, reflecting the characteristics and images of cities. In this context, this study investigates users’ perceptions and affinity towards these waterbased public spaces of Madurai, Tamilnadu, India with a particular focus on temple tanks with a cultural setting. In this study, a mixed method approach was adopted to assess spatial vitality. This included photo documentation, a questionnaire survey, and mapping of behavioral patterns and activities within the selected case study area. The study also examined the relationship between user behavior and various physical and cultural attributes of temple tanks. The findings reveal that water serve as a significant pull factor in public space design, contributing to people’s engagement. The presence of water enhances the microclimate and creates a comfortable environment in the dense urban context of Madurai. In addition, attributes such as visual images, scale, public realm, and commercial activities contribute to the spatial vitality of these public spaces. The study identifies key attributes of a public space that contribute to the creation of a successful public space in culturally rich tropical urban areas.