SALT and SPIRIT – A fishing harbour project.

Abstract

In the coastal town of Bhatkal, Karnataka, where the sea shapes both culture and livelihood, the everyday experiences of fisherwomen remain deeply undervalued. This thesis enters their world, uncovering the realities faced by women belonging to the region’s two significant maritime communities—the Mogaveeras, known for their strong fishing heritage, and the Nawayaths, known for their trade-based coastal culture and community cohesion. Although fisherwomen contribute extensively to post-harvest activities such as cleaning, sorting, drying, retailing, and managing household-level fisheries work, their needs are rarely reflected in harbour planning and redevelopment. Through site visits, community conversations, and spatial mapping within the Bhatkal harbour context, this study identifies recurring challenges: absence of hygienic workspaces, inadequate storage and processing facilities, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and a lack of representation in decision-making processes. These gaps constrain not only their productivity but also their dignity and safety. In response, the thesis proposes a community-integrated, gender-inclusive harbour design framework rooted in the cultural identity of both the Mogaveera and Nawayath communities. The design envisions dedicated processing and vending zones for fisherwomen, shared community kitchens, safe circulation routes, childcare spaces, rest areas, and shaded platforms for daily fish-handling tasks. These interventions aim to honour local customs—ranging from Mogaveera occupational traditions to Nawayath spatial sensibilities—while enabling improved working conditions and economic empowerment. More than an infrastructural proposal, this project advocates for a human-centred coastal redevelopment approach that amplifies the voices of women often overlooked in the maritime narrative. By placing fisherwomen at the heart of the design process, the thesis aspires to build a harbour landscape that is not only efficient and resilient, but also socially just and culturally rooted in the coastal identity of Bhatkal.