Bhubaneswar Through the Lens of Invisible Cities: Exploring Geometrical Narratives

A detailed examination of Bhubaneswar’s architectural and urban planning evolution reveals the city as a living canvas that reflects the confluence of past and present, tradition and modernity. Drawing parallels with the imaginative realms portrayed in Italo Calvino’s ”Invisible Cities” and their thematic categorization, Bhubaneswar is experienced with its ancient temples, planned sectors, and dynamic urban development. The exploration extends to the spatial geometry and narrative structures within urban planning, inspired by Calvino’s poetic and mathematical approach to city design, especially in the context of Esmeralda, a city where theshortest distance between two points is not a straight line. These comparative insights underscore the significance of integrating spatial elements into modern-day urban strategies, highlighting Bhubaneswar as a model for inclusive urban development.