Imagining Delhi:

Urbanization is a defining phenomenon of the 21st century.The developing world is holding centre stage amidst this massive demographic and economic transformation—where an estimated 400,000 square kilometres would have been consumed for urban useby the year 2030, doubling the planet’s built up urban area. Nearly two billion new urban residents are expected within the next 20 years, and the urban populations of South Asia and Africa will double.

The focus on future urban development in South Asia virtually bifurcates into the growth of India and China in the coming decades. While China’s pace of urbanisation has been phenomenal, it is the estimated 250 million people who will move to urban areas in India which has caught the global attention. One of the largest contenders in this history writing endeavours will bethe world’s second largest urban agglomeration surrounding the capital of India known as the National Capital Region (NCR) with a total area of 33578 square kilometres.

Multicultural and cosmopolitan, Delhi is the nerve centre of this conurbation along with Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and other urban centres, major and minor, in their neighbouring areas. Delhi is the feverishly growing, political, cultural and economic centre of northern India along with being the eighth largest metropolis in the world

This megacity contains one of the world’s most energy efficient mass transit systems for public transportation: The Delhi Metro operating over six lines with a total length of nearly 190 kms spanning 142 stations out of which 35 are underground. Moreover, the decrease in the growth rate of population in Delhi in the past decade from 47% to 21% signifies the role of the connected NCR as a cohesive urban entity attracting definitive urban growth through these transportation networks.

Source:Residential Restructuring for Transit Oriented Development: Case of Delhi, SPA Delhi, Thesis 2011, SahilSasidharan

Imagine Delhi as a city whose integral essence is manifested in its every part; whose quest for beauty is embedded in a continuingtradition, its culture and history, whose individuals and communitiesenjoy the liberty to be themselves and to express their ways of life. Acity where the disadvantaged are included and brought into the fold,where living patterns and festivals celebrate the cycle of seasons – Acity of richly textured environments and vibrant activity enjoyed bycitizens and travellers alike.

The urban structure of Delhi is a palimpsest of several layers andjuxtapositions of history, of social and community groups, withtheir economic stratifications and spatial inequities that inhabit thecalcifications of built space and the veins and arteries of therights- of-way and lungs of open space. This inherited palimpsest of theurban structure has the potential of symbiosis and synthesis.

This DNA ofthe city has the potential of its evolution into a city with a rich, diverseand nuanced urbanity. The vitality of populations ‘on the move’, theiryouthful demographic profile and a vibrant world of communication andinformation can bring about a culture of knowledge – of understandingcomplexities, of choices to be made and of the innovative possibilitiestoward a more just, shared future – raised upon the three pillars of socialequity, economic opportunity and environmental sustainability.

The vision for the future of Delhi originates from the existing mass transport infrastructure available and the cultural diversity present in the National Capital region. The concept of Transit Oriented Development along every metro station dotting this extensive mass transit coverage throughout the city and beyond to its neighbours is envisioned with subsequent expansion as and when the city expands.

Source: layingthegroundwork.wordpress.com

Transit Oriented Development is essentially any development – macro or micro – that induces people to prefer the use of public transportation leading to densification/compact sustainable models of development which in return increases the quality of life of the residents and the visitors as all facilities are located within a walkable radius under the principles of smart growth.

Smart growth is a compact, efficient, and environmentally sensitive pattern of development that provides people with additional travel, housing, and employment choices by focusing future growth away from rural areas and closer to existing and planned job centers and public facilities.

This could be envisioned as a linkage between Transit-oriented Development policy passed by the city and the planning focus required by the city to realize it in application.

Visionary Local Level Indicators:

  • Land Use and Urban Design- Reduce sprawl by focusing future growth in the cities and in the appropriate unincorporated suburban communities and village centers through new development, redevelopment, and infill, emphasizing pedestrian-friendly design and mixed use* development.
  • Travel Choices- Provide people with additional travel choices (walking, biking, rail, bus, and automobile). Some ways of accomplishing this include:
  • Jobs/Housing Balance. Locate housing near or within major employment areas and provide employment opportunities near major housing areas.
  • Housing Choices- Provide, in each community, a variety of housing types for residents of all incomes.
  • Infrastructure Capacity and Location- Provide adequate infrastructure (as referenced in local planning documents) in designated smart growth focus areas.
  • Environment- Protect open space and habitat areas. When constructing residential, commercial, or industrial areas, or building transportation systems, provide environmentally sensitive development that conserves water and energy, protects water quality, and promotes the use of alternative energy sources.
  • Consistency Between Local Plans and Regional Forecast- Reconcile local plans with the regional forecast agreed upon by SANDAG.
  • Commitments- Incorporate smart growth principles into local general and community plans, zoning ordinances, project review criteria, street design standards, and other development processes.

The basic approach in this entire effort to provide a vision for the megacity which is empowering the community through the linkages and density as a platform for building on the inherent human links which develop in compact sustainable cities,hence avoiding the need to invest in more road based infrastructure like flyovers, expressways and rather focus on minimizing travel within and around the city by allowing the community to promote mixed land-use, multiple uses during non-peak hours like business districts allowing their plazas and recreation centres to host mobile night clubs, restaurants and organized evening hawking after office hours. This long term development vision can be achieved with the help of the network of government, private and civil society to re-imagine our World Class Megacity: A true New Delhi.