Chandigarh Town Planning

Shreya, Naaz, Saad, Lakshay, Ritika, Megha, Vaishnavi, Nikunj, Keshav

4B
Table of content :
1. Geographical and geological
2. Government decisions and ideology
3. Culture
4. Climate
5. Vicinity Context
6. Future development
7. Land use
8. Master plan
9. Transport
10. Other challenges
11. Conclusion:
HISTORY
● The gently sloping plains on which modern Chandigarh exists, was in the ancient past, a
wide lake ringed by a marsh.
● The fossil remains found at the site indicate a large variety of aquatic and amphibian life,
which was supported by that environment.
● About 8000 years ago the area was also known to be a home to the Harappans
● .Since Punjab was divided into two parts, The capital was left in Pakistan, Therefore Punjab
in India required new capital .
● Since the medieval through modern era, the area was part of the large and prosperous
Punjab Province which was divided into East & West Punjab during partition of the country
in 1947.
● The city was conceived not only to serve as the capital of East Punjab, but also to resettle
thousands of refugees who had been uprooted from West Punjab

Vaishnavi shivhare
Site Selection
○ The Indian government considered several options—including Amritsar, Jalandhar (Jullundur), Phillaur,
Ludhiana, Shimla (Simla), Ambala, and Karnal—and selected the present site of Chandigarh in 1948.
○ It was hoped that a magnificent new state capital, scenically located at the foot of the Himalayas, would
become a symbol of modernity
○ Would heal the wounded pride of Indian Punjabis, and would house thousands of mostly Hindu and Sikh
refugees who had fled from Muslim-dominated Pakistan.
○ In March 1948, the Government of Punjab, in consultation with the Government of India, approved a 114.59
Sq.Kms.tract of land at the foothills of Shivaliks as the site for the

Reference: https://www.britannica.com/place/Chandigarh-India
Reference:
https://www.slideshare.net/supriyadongre/chandigarh-the-city-beautiful-39574863
 ● The city Chandigarh is located in western
side of river Gaggar and Shimla National
highway. It is linked by rail with National
Capital Delhi and hill station Shimla.
● The National and state highways also
connect this city with Ludhiana, Amritsar,
Ambala, Patiala and Manali.
● The city Chandigarh is having direct air link
to Delhi and Bombay and airport is also
being upgraded.
● The Major Border Road Projects of Northern
India are managed from Chandigarh by the
respective departments of Govt. of India.
● The Chandigarh Administration has set up a
Rajiv Gandhi I.T.

Reference:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com.mx%2Fpin%2F4644405842457734%2F%3Famp_client_id
Reference: https://chandigarhenvis.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/cdp.pdf
%3DCLIENT_ID(_)%26mweb_unauth_id%3D%26simplified%3Dtrue&psig=AOvVaw3JduWA735tOIrqnC8hoSJq&ust=1634840608307
000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCJCjloHO2fMCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAl
Geology
● The Union Territory of Chandigarh is located in the
foothills of the Shivalik hill ranges in the north,
which form a part of the fragile Himalayan
ecosystem. It is occupied by Kandi (Bhabhar) in the
north east and Sirowal (Tarai) and alluvial plains in
the remaining part.
● The subsurface formation comprises of beds of
boulders, pebbles, gravel, sand, silt, clays and
some Kankar. Fertile Land.
● The area is drained by two seasonal rivulets viz
Sukhna Choe in the east and Patiala-Ki-Rao Choe
in the west.
● The central Part forms a surface water and has
two minor streams. The steam passing through
the central part is called N-Choe and the other
Nala which initiates at Sector 29.
Reference:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Ffigure%2FGeological-map-of-the-Chandigarh-anticline-in-the-Siwalik-Frontal-Range-Carte_fi
g1_293332148&psig=AOvVaw2bKfWzjmR3rwMKaSAgN2_b&ust=1634841758252000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCKiun9_S2fMCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
Reference: https://chandigarhenvis.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/cdp.pdf
Government Decisions
● City was to be first large expression of creative genius flowering on our newly earned freedom.
● Chandigarh was supposed to be planned paradise.
● In the words of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, ‘Let Chandigarh be a new town, symbolic
of the freedom of India, unfettered by the traditions of the past and expression of the nation’s faith
in the future’.
 An American Firm, M/s. Mayer, Whittlessay and Glass was commissioned in 1950 to

PLANNER
prepare the Master Plan for the new City. Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki evolved a
fan shaped Master Plan and worked out conceptual sketches of the super block. Novicki
was tragically killed in an air accident and Mayer decided to discontinue. Thereafter, the
work was assigned to a team of architects led by Charles Eduard Jeanneret better
known as Le Corbusier in 1951.
He was assisted by three senior architects, Maxwell Fry, his wife Jane B Drew and
Corbusier’s cousin, Pierre Jeanneret. These senior architects were supported by a team
of young Indian architect and planner consisting of M.N. Sharma, A. R. Prabhawalkar,
U.E. Chowdhary, J.S. Dethe, B.P. Mathur, Aditya Prakash, N.S. Lanbha and others.
The Master Plan was developed by Le Corbusier who also designed the Capital Complex
and established the architectural control & design of the main building of the city. The
design of housing for Govt. employees, schools, shopping centers, hospitals were
disturbed among the three senior architects.
Maxwell Fry and Jane B. Drew worked for about three years on the project and then left
due to their engagements elsewhere. Pierre Jeanneret who ultimately became the Chief
Architect and Town Planning Adviser to Govt. of Punjab returned to Switzerland in 1965.
M.N. Sharma took over from Pierre Jeanneret as the first Indian Chief Architect of the
Project and after the reorganization of the State of Punjab in 1966 and the
establishment of Union Territory, Chandigarh, he was appointed as Administrative
Secretary of the Department of Architecture in the Chandigarh Administration. The
major buildings designed by these architects are the important landmarks in the city.
Vaishnavi shivhare
Evolution of Chandigarh - Master plan
ROADS
1 1
9 9
5 5
1 6
1 1
9 9
6 6
1 6
1 1
9 9
7 7
1 6
1 1
9 9
9 9
1 6
REGIONAL PLAN
 CLIMATE OF CHANDIGARH

Prevalent Winds From the North West to South East in Winter and reverse in Summer
NAAZ WARSI
CLIMATIC CONSIDERATIONS
• Sun path during various seasons was studied.
• Rise of sun breakers(new version of
sunshades/ chajjas).
• Later honeycomb brick jalis were introduced.
• Building orientations were made sun friendly.
• Facades designed to keep sun out in summer
and admit it in winters.
• Compactness through close spacing of
buildings known as terrace housing.
• Light and air is drawn through front and rear of
the buildings.
• Buildings have greater depth and narrow
frontage.

NAAZ WARSI
A common factor in Corbusier’s
buildings in India is the way in
which the buildings seem to
catch and funnel air through
them. This is very welcome, and
although the weather is at its
hottest in Chandigarh in May and
June, the climate in August is
still nearly 40 degrees with over
95 percent humidity.

NAAZ WARSI
VICINITY OF CHANDIGARH
Chandigarh derives its name from the temple of
"Chandi Mandir" located in the vicinity of the
site selected for the city. The deity 'Chandi', the
goddess of power and a fort of 'garh' laying
beyond the temple gave the city its name
"Chandigarh-The City Beautiful".

Vaishnavi shivhare
The surrounding cities are Mohali, New Chandigarh, Patiala, Zirakpur and
Rupnagar in Punjab, and Panchkula and Ambala in Haryana. Chandigarh is
situated 44 km (28 miles) northeast of Ambala, 229 km (143 miles) southeast of
Amritsar, and 250 km (156 miles) north of Delhi.

Vaishnavi shivhare
CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
1966
Reorganisation of the State of Punjab into States of Haryana &
Punjab with Chandigarh functioning as the State Capital of both.
Creation of the Union Territory of Chandigarh in 70 sq km as
Capital City and 26 adjoining villages in 44 sq km.Out of the
1315 sq km extended periphery, 1021 sq km of the Periphery
Control Area went to Punjab, 295 sq km to Haryana with
remaining area of 114 sq km forming the UT with the Capital
City for all its present and future needs. Out of this defined new
periphery it was clear that Chandigarh got just 3% land of the
original periphery.

Post 1966
Establishment of Mohali township of Punjab in periphery
covering 5500 acres and, Panchkula township of Haryana
covering 5000 acres. Townships in the periphery emerged as
a result of development pressures observed in the form of
unregulated growth.
1977
Preparation of the Regional Plan for Chandigarh’s immediate region. Called the ‘Chandigarh Urban Complex’ (CUC)
Plan, the first Chandigarh Master Plan covered 330 sq km. It comprised of Chandigarh Union Territory (UT), parts of
Mohali, its adjoining 27 villages and parts of Panchkula and 23 villages.The CUC Plan was approved by the Co
ordination Committee. The area of this plan was entirely within the originally conceptualized 8km radius periphery
control belt. The CUC Plan declared the area north of the Capitol Complex as ‘No Development Zone’.
 Punjab Government notified ‘GMADA REGIONAL PLAN 2056’ covering 1021 sq km. This plan entailed creating 7 Integrated Economic
Hubs consisting of a huge agglomeration in absolute continuity to the Chandigarh UT . These hubs would be major drivers of economic
growth.The area north of Chandigarh and abutting the Capitol Complex created by Le Corbusier and consisting of the village
settlements Naya Gaon & Kansal has also been notified as a Nagar Panchayat by the Punjab Government under whose jurisdiction the
land falls.In a similar manner, the Haryana Government has planned 5 settlements, (Refer Map 12). Of these, Panchkula and the
‘Panchkula Extension-1’ across river Ghaggar stand fully developed. Panchkula Extension- 2, Shree Mata Mansa Devi Complex
comprising of 1550 acres, close to Sukhna Lake and Kalka-Pinjore Urban Complex are under development.
LAND USE:-
Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 (Draft)
has been prepared to provide
regulations for development and
building activity in the entire Union
Territory of Chandigarh. The planning
area constitutes 144 sq km. It includes
60 sectors in the sectoral grid as well
as the periphery areas outside it.

Draft Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 – Land Use Map

 Outlook for Chandigarh Master Plan 2031
The reorganization of states and further developments around it
impose constraints on the growth of Chandigarh city. The
proposed Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 respects its historical
legacy and optimises on its constraints of land

The plan is an attempt to redeem an efficient circulation network

and extensive lung space as well as the scenic backdrop of the
Shivalik Hills against which lies the dramatic Capitol Complex
given its due place of pride.

I
Chandigarh Master Plan 2031
provides a useful base for
regulating development and
building activity in the entire
UT of Chandigarh. Thus the
reference area for planning
constitutes 114 sq km which
includes the 60 sectors in the
sectoral grid as well as the
periphery areas outside it.
CONCLUSION
POSITIVE POINTS OF CHANDIGARH PLANNING

• First modern architecture of Indian city planning

• Each sector satisfies the necessities of human needs

• Separate roads for pedestrian, bicycle and heavy vehicles

• Open spaces in front shopping centers

• Shops on ground floor, Residence on upper floor

• Shop protected from rain and sun, as a covered walkway for the
customers

NAAZ WARSI
 NEGATIVE POINTS OF PLANNING:-

• Roads being similar to each other creates confusion.

• Brutal concrete gives a rough look

• City not planned for lower income people.

• Existence of slums around the city

NAAZ WARSI
THIS IS HOW THEY DEVELOPED CITY
● Chandigarh was planned by Le Corbusier as a CIAM (Congrès International d’Architecture
Moderne) city.

● the CIAM charter was designed to rid cities of the post-Industrial Revolution overcrowding and
inhuman conditions which had characterized many European and American cities of the late
18th and early 19th centuries.
● The CIAM city called for ample space, light and green areas, and stressed on the need to lead
a dignified human existence.
● That the modern age also meant a new moral order was implicit in the CIAM charter, as well as
the fact that architecture and urbanism could be the tools by which this new order could be
brought about.

● In its egalitarianism, the CIAM city responded well to the needs of a new capital city of
modern India and dovetailed neatly with the founding principles liberty and equality of the
new republic. Chandigarh answered to two agendas: CIAM on the one hand and the new
India on the other, and was supposed to represent the best of both.
● In its wide avenues and streets, its green spaces running right through the heart of the city,
its socialist bent to housing design, Chandigarh was right from the start very different from
existing Indian city cores. That this difference existed not only on paper but also in reality
was apparent from a visit to the city – its stark emptiness and apparently over-scaled spaces
were reminiscent more of a ghost town than a living, breathing organism.

● This has all changed today, and with startling rapidity. Designed for a population of
500,000, Chandigarh today is the cultural, commercial, administrative and educational
centre of north India, second in importance only after Delhi. India Today, in a survey,
ranked Chandigarh as the richest of Indian cities (on the basis of per capita income). Traffic
jams and debates on pollution are now increasingly a common feature of the cleanest
Indian city. Slums, squatters and filth, once thought to be the preserve of ‘other’ cities, are
no longer strangers to Chandigarh.
 ● Firstly, the Chandigarh plan assumes that human activity can be regulated just as
a city plan can be on paper, by division into rigid zones of work, living and leisure.
● This is a form of assumed social control that is difficult, if not impossible, to
enforce in a democratic country.
● It is difficult to class people into neat categories, and equally difficult to categorize
human activity and imagine that it will not change over time.

● Thus the Chandigarh plan, while making ample provision for the classes of people the city
was originally meant for – administrators and bureaucrats, politicians and refugees – made
very little concession towards the people who actually ran the city – the sweepers and the
rickshawallas, the street vendors and the hawkers, the construction workers and the hired
labor.
● It is these people and their daily business that fills up the interstices of the city – the
spaces which are no-man’s land, which belong in principle to everyone and thus to no-one.
In its inherent arrogance, the Chandigarh plan failed to provide space for the very people
without whom the city could not be run as a functioning organism.