City Planning

Of Chandigarh
A Discussion

Presented By
Sandeep Verma
16AR60R18
Department of Architecture and
Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
Aim
To study the city planning of Chandigarh.
Objective
• To understand historic background and planning concept of
Chandigarh.
• To analyse the pros and cons of planning Chandigarh.
• To understand the planning approach for a new city
planning.
Scope
• Study deals with planning took place in initial phase.
• Study is not a detailed investigation of any specific aspect.
• Study is rather qualitative in approach with study of criticism
of various researchers.
• Study focusing on sector planning and capital complex.
Limitations
• Study doesn’t relate to other works of Le Corbusier.
• Study doesn’t deal with the present urban issues of
Chandigarh.
• Study does not deal with the city evolution over the time or
the challenges encountering.
Department of Architecture and
Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
Overview

• Historical Background
• Mayer’s Plan
• Corbusier’s intervention and revised
plan
• Discussion on Sector
• Conception of plan as Human body
• Road Network Planning
• Capitol complex Discussion
• Critical Review
• Conclusion
 Background

1947
India’s Partition

Malik, B. (2004). City Planning and Realities: A Case Study of Chandigarh. Department of Architecture and
Source:
International Conference on "City Futures". Chicago : University of Illinois. Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
Something Good Cometh
Out of “Evil”
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
“Let this be a new town, symbolic of freedom of India unfettered
by the traditions of the past. An expression of the nations faith in the
future”
 About Site

• Mountainous region
• Central location
• Natural drainage
• Sufficient water supply
• Foothills of Shivalik
• Moderate climate

• sub mountainous area of the Ambala district

• 150 miles north of New Delhi
• Flatter Area
• gentle sloping plain of agriculture land dotted with grooves of mango trees
• consisting of 59 villages

Department of Architecture and

Source: Fry, E. M., & B, J. D. (1955, April 1). Chandigarh and planning
development in India. Royal Society of Arts, 103(4948), 315-333. Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 New Capital City and Administration Centre
accommodating half a million people and expandable to
1 million.
 Administration
Mayer’s Plan Complex

Albert Mayer and Mathew Nowicky

Neighbourhood Unit Concept Patiala Rao

Sukhna
• Located between two boundary rivers River
• fan shaped plan
• Govt. Centre – Northeast Side of the City
• Super Block - Accommodating some 1500
families. 1500 feet
• 3 Superblocks to make a district
• Industrial area planned in southern corner
• Administration area in north-east
• 2 Large parkland zones across city
• Future expansion in the southwest across the
plan
3000 Feet
Mayer’s Plan for Chandigarh
Criticism – Lacks Monumental Symbolism
Source:
SUPERBLOCK
Department of Architecture and
Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
Turning Point

Mathew Nowicky’s Death

 Capitol Complex

Le Corbusier’s Intervention
Formulation of new plan
• Kept orientation of grids as it was Patiala Sukhna
• One dominant off centred doglegged axis Rao River River
• The grid of superblock increased in size to
1200 x 800mts (3900 x 2700 feet)
• Accommodating up to 25000 inhabitants
• Within superblock centralized market was
replaced by continuous bazar street across
the block.
Industrial
• Capital Complex and high court combined Areas
in one govt. complex
• CBD Area Remained the same
• Shifted Capital complex to higher ground 800m
• Two linear parks were replaced by total of 6
later by 8.
• Each Sector with its own green space around V1
which houses are designed
Leisure Valley 1200m
• V7 Road Concept
Source: Joshi, K. (1999). Documenting Chandigarh: The Indian Architecture of Pierre
Jeanneret, Edwin Maxwell Fry, and Jane Beverly Drew, Vol. 1. Maping Publishing.

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 Sectors
• Total 30 sectors - 24 residential
• 70% building private
• Autonomous unit including Shops
housing, school, shops,
recreational spaces. School
• 3000-25000 accommodating
V4
capacity
• Surrounded by high speed Health
roads Centre
• Bus stops every 400mts
• No pedestrian needs to walk Arrom
more than 10 minutes V3 hotel
V5
School

Joshi, K. (1999). Documenting Chandigarh: The

Indian Architecture of Pierre Jeanneret, Edwin
Maxwell Fry, and Jane Beverly Drew, Vol. 1. Maping
Publishing. Sector Plan

Source: Joshi, K. (1999). Documenting Chandigarh: The Indian Architecture of Pierre Jeanneret, Department of Architecture and
Edwin Maxwell Fry, and Jane Beverly Drew, Vol. 1. Maping Publishing.
Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
Criticism

• Self contained sectors – All essential services within walking

distance.
• Sectors provide safe space for children.
• Safe, Yet boring
• Confusing Streets.
• Discouraging Place to go for walk.
• Un-Indian and yet inspiration of architects.

Lack in Characteristics
• Street Culture.
• Excitement of Indian cities.
• Noise of Lahore.
• Intimacy of Delhi.
Sector Plan
A STAY-HOME CITY Source: Joshi, K. (1999). Documenting Chandigarh: The Indian Architecture of Pierre
Jeanneret, Edwin Maxwell Fry, and Jane Beverly Drew, Vol. 1. Maping Publishing.

Source- Kalia, R. (1985). Chandigarh: A Planned City. Habitat International, Department of Architecture and
9, 135-150. Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 Peter Hall

City totally European

Designed without regard of fierce north Indian climate or
Indian ways of life.

City segregated by income, and civil ranks

Inappropriate decision of hiring western designers to plan
cities for non western culture

Sector 17 - not valued much as would have valued in

Europe
Decorative

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban Department of Architecture and
design and planning [Motion Picture]. Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 Philosophy

Brain - Capitol Complex

Heart – City centre (Sector 17)
Lungs – Leisure valley
Intellect – Educational Areas N
Veins - Circulation System V7
Viscera – Industrial area

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
V7 ROAD CONCEPT
V1 ARTERIAL ROADS

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
City A City A

V2 MAJOR BOULEVARDS
V3 SECTOR DEFINERS

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 V5

V4 SHOPPING STREETS
V5 CIRCULATION ROAD V6 PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE
WITHIN SECTORS HOUSES

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 GREEN AREAS
V7 PEDESTRIAN PATHS

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 Parklands

V8 CYCLE TRACKS

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
CAPITOL COMPLEX
WORLD HERITAGE SITE,
JULY 2016
Plan of Chandigarh
Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban
design and planning [Motion Picture].
 Shows Corbusier's interest in
symbols.
 Capital landscape as a sacred
place with layers of cosmic
significance
 Complex as head of
vastupurush.
 linked the site as microcosm
with the cosmos.

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban

design and planning [Motion Picture].

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban
design and planning [Motion Picture].

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
Assembly Building Secretariat Building Pedestrian Plaza

Tower of Shadows

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban

High court Building design and planning [Motion Picture].

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 High Court Building

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban

design and planning [Motion Picture].
 Assembly Building with giant plaza

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban

design and planning [Motion Picture].
 Corbusier to be blamed?
• Neglected space and Empty
• Area treated as high security zone and
controlled by military
• Emptier than intended
• Museum of knowledge ( Governors palace)
never built
• Huge Expense
A great pedestrian plaza which embodies spirit of exultation, power and permanence, experienced by Indians
on acquiring self governance.
Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban
design and planning [Motion Picture].

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 Martus Memorial

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban design and planning [Motion Picture].
 Swastika Symbol

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban design and planning [Motion Picture].
Open Hand

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban design and planning [Motion Picture].
Trench of Consideration

Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban design and planning [Motion Picture].
Conclusions
Ideal Cities
 Amarna by Akhenaten
 Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar
 Brazilia by Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio costa
 Broadacre city, FLW
 Radiant city, Le corbusier

Chandigarh (Over a million population )

 Wealthiest town of India.
 No 1 in terms of Human Development Index.
 3rd highest GDP growth rate 9.64%.
 Cleanest and Greenest City in India.
 Good Governance- A compact, efficient Administration having
Quick Decision making system
Conclusions

1. Technology should be part of planning process, shouldn’t be the basis of it.

2. City as settlement of community can not be standardize as the multiple of
“generic” like sectors.
3. New city planning should establish the relationship of site with people and
their roots who put soul to the city otherwise it’s a dead city.
4. People must be given expression in terms of planning and designing where
they live in or where they work.
5. Urban character can only come out of collective will of people
6. Icon status is not achieved by city due to designers vocabulary it is achieved
by the adaptiveness of people.
 References
1.Shaw, A. (2009). Town Planning in Post Colonial India, 1947-1965: Chandigarh Re-Examined . Urban Geography
, 857-876.

2.Fry, E. M., & B, J. D. (1955, April 1). Chandigarh and planning development in India. Royal Society of Arts,
103(4948), 315-333.

3.Malik, B. (2004). City Planning and Realities: A Case Study of Chandigarh. International Conference on "City
Futures". Chicago : University of Illinois.

4. Fitting, P. (2002). Urban Planning/Utopian Dreaming Le Corbusier's Chandigarh Today. Utopian Studies, 69-93.

5.Gethin, C. (1973). Chandigarh: A memorial to arrogance. Built Environment, 291-294.

6.Kalia, R. (1985). Chandigarh: A Planned City. Habitat International, 9, 135-150.

7.Morris, A. E. (1975). Chandigarh: The plan Corb tore up? Built Environment Quarterly December , 229-234.

8.Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban design and planning [Motion Picture].

9. D'Souza, V. S. (1976, Sept 18). People Prevail over Plan. Economic and Political Weekly Vol 11 No.11(38), 1626-
1528.

10. Joshi, K. (1999). Documenting Chandigarh: The Indian Architecture of Pierre Jeanneret, Edwin Maxwell Fry,
and Jane Beverly Drew, Vol. 1. Maping Publishing.
 Thank You
Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban
design and planning [Motion Picture].