Sustainable Living through Traditional Settlements: Exploring Indigenous Knowledge and Practices in Tamil Nadu’s Agraharam Houses

Abstract

Traditional settlements serve as repositories of indigenous knowledge, embodying sustainable practices that have evolved through a deep understanding of local environments, cultural values, and social structures. They are often shaped in the way that it reflects the needs and the aspirations of the society. Such settlements have been shaped over a period of time by employing the wisdom, knowledge, and practices handed down from generation to generation. This paper examines the linear settlement pattern of Agraharam houses in Kumbakonam and Tiruvalluvar districts of Tamil Nadu as a case study to explore how traditional Indian settlement patterns promote sustainable living. These settlements characterized by climate-responsive architecture, shared open spaces, and locally sourced materials, reflect a harmonious relationship between built form, community life, and the natural environment. The study adopts a phenomenological research approach, combining architectural analysis, ethnographic insights, and sustainability frameworks to evaluate the relevance of Agraharam practices in the contemporary context. By documenting and analyzing the spatial configuration, morphology and everyday practices of Agraharam communities, the paper underscores the need to integrate traditional wisdom into present-day planning and design paradigms. Findings highlight how these settlements inherently support the goals of environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and economic resilience—resonating strongly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action)