Streets & Plazas Program

Introduction
Karol Bagh is a mixed residential-cum commercial neighbourhood in Delhi, known for its shopping streets, like the
Ghaffar Market and Ajmal Khan Road. It is one of the three administrative subdivisions, of the Central Delhi district,
of the NCR.

History
In 1920s, residents of villages like Madhoganj, Jaisingh Pura and Raja ka Bazaar evacuated to build Connaught Ajmal Khan road
Place and nearby areas, they were relocated in Karol Bagh to the West, then a rocky area populated by trees and
wild, bushes. The District is structured around Ajmal Khan Road
and Arya Samaj Road that form the major shopping
The area was primarily residential with a large Muslim population until the exodus of many Muslims to Pakistan and streets along with Pusa Road/ Dayal Chowk as the
an influx of refugees from West Punjab after partition in 1947, many of whom were traders. gateway to the district. DB Gupta is a strategic city
Ajmal Khan road wide connector.
There remains a sizeable Marathi, Tamil-speaking population. Karol Bagh was also home to a Initial Concepts:
large Bengali community, and has one of the oldest Durga Puja in the city, though their numbers have now Placemaking at major pedestrian Establishing the street network- Major North South
• Reinforce the pedestrian character of Ajmal Khan
increased many folds most of them working as jewellers. nodes Connector Roads- Saraswati & Gurudwara Road
Road
• Create opportunities for placemaking at major
pedestrian nodes: Karol Bagh Metro Station and
STREETSCAPE CHARACTER: AMENITIES Intersection of Ajmal Khan & Arya Samaj Road
• Establish the street network as per pedestrian
guidelines by UTTIPEC

Context, Principles and intervention area

CASE STUDY:1 KAROL BAGH REDEVELOPMENT

• South east: Connaught place

• North East: Old Delhi Station, Shahjahnabad
• East: New Delhi Station

STRATEGY 1
MPD-2001 proposed urban renewal of 2600 ha. of old built
up area, known as 'Special Area' which has been divided into
4 Urban Renewal Areas namely (i) Walled City (ii) Karol Bagh
(iii) Other Urban Renewal Areas, and, (iv) Specific use zone Detail segment showing various Seating and Kiosk Art and Shelter
areas. street components

EXERPTS FROM MPD 2021
• Important Commercial Centre outside Walled City
• Redevelopment based on Mixed Use Concept
• Provision of Parking
• Up-gradation of facilities and utilities
• Gridiron pattern is an asset to be used to regulate
& pedestrianize traffic movement
Karol Bagh has a distinct physical structure of walkable PLAZAS: METRO CHOWK, ARYA SAMAJ, AJMAL KHAN
blocks and a network of neighbourhood parks. It is Strategy
also a shopping destination and a thriving business district
making it one of the most important mixed use districts in
the NCR region.
Existing scenario around parks: Parking, inaccessible (high walls)
Proposed interventions: No barriers, change in texture

PARK C

Two step approach to address the public realm improvements in

Karol Bagh. Ajmal Khan Road to park connection: Park A &C
Existing Character of a typical Park Interventions:

SS TTR RE EET ES TR SE T RRO EF ITT RT I O

N GF: I T T I N G :
Strategy 1: • No visual connection • Pedestrian friendly traffic calming measures
Streets & Plazas Program • High Boundary wall with high • Boundary wall lowered to minimum with fence
Strategy 2: fence • Shade and shelter elements
Parks & Places Program • Parking all around the park • Seating and lighting

PEDESTRIAN GUIDELINES AND KEY JUNCTIONS:

Parks & Place Program

The network of parks and streets in Karol Bagh create a

strong contrast of urban experience between active
Ajmal Khan Road and the passive, more local parks. We
Strategy propose to enhance the fabric of the park along with
the improvements in public realm of the streets. These
Arya Samaj road and Ajmal Khan Road

in turn are seen as being anchors in the local life of the

neighbourhood.
Initial Concepts:
The area is characterised by • Enhance the visual linkages of the park with the

STRATEGY 2
commercial development along the public realm.
Ajmal Khan road, Gurudwara road • Propose special paving on the streets around the
etc. followed by mixed use park.
development along with typologies • Proposed special treatment to the park edge along
like hotels and lodges along the the major street to highlight the entry and create a
second/ third block in the area green zone.
• Propose small neighbourhood plaza where space is
available
Pusa Road Arya Samaj road and Gurudwara Road
Key Junctions Proposed traffic circulation plan Gurudwara Road