Typology of Houses and Social Stratification in Old City Aligarh – A Case Study of Bani Israilan

Abstract

Social stratification has an impact on typology of houses and the technology globally. This study aims to explore the old Aligarh city during 1947-1991, in terms of types of house development and the public space around them between post-independence till the beginning of globalization. The research is focused on exploring the houses, those are still inhabitable condition, enlist and categories them on the basis of built-up area, occupation of dwellers, income, and social structure. Visual surveys and case studies were performed to understand the typology of the houses, common public spaces used around the year, construction material, architectural elements, and construction technology used in mohalla Bani israilan, as it was the only neighborhood fulfilling the prerequisites for research. The study concludes that the economic conditions and social stratification is well reflected in the typology of these houses through habitable spaces, building materials and construction technology used.