History Of Urban Form & Space

Aayojan School of Architecture & Design

Name: Shriniwas Makhi
Mayur Rotithor
F. Y. M. Arch
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 Colonial Town-Shimla

Introduction
• Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is settled in the
southwestern ranges of the Himalayas of Northern India.

• The city of Shimla was Built on top of seven hills. The city is
known to be ‘Queen of Hill station’, as it has become
multifunctional city along with tourism.

• Formerly the British ‘Summer Capital’ of India, it is now one of

the most popular tourist destinations in the State both for
Indian and international travelers.

• The Shimla district lies within the catchment area of three

rivers, the principal of which is the Sutlej River.

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Location & Linkage
• Shimla is situated in Central Himalayas, on the south of the river
Sutlej.

• The East-West axis have emerged major axis of development for

the city.

• The development of the city has gradually grown on the steep

slopes of northern side and more in southern slopes .Due to this
creates the disturbance in nature profile and cutting of terrain for Development due to hilly terrain opening from roof top of structures
constructions.
https://images.app.goo.gl/U51GabLCdFnfZhVk7
Geographical Setting
• Due to construction on hilly terrain and steep slopes, Shimla is of Shimla on slopes
extremely vulnerable to natural hazards such as landslides, sinking
of land and earthquakes.

• Due to its natural elements the streets are not very much wide. The
largest street measures 8m in width.

https://images.app.goo.gl/N15WTpFUurXj7Vnx5

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Evolution
➢ Pre – Independence Period
• City of Shimla was established by British during colonial period in
the first half of the 19th – century by British officer while passing by.
• The most important factor that lead the establishment of Shimla was
its climate and topography.
• The whole army quarters were shifted in the city later which led to
development of roads and bridge in city.
• Declared as summer capital by Indian Government in 1864, which
resulted in construction of government office buildings.
• As the region was developing from a very small village to town over 1860s
the period of time the amenities and services were needed. As a
result Municipal Committee was established which was responsible
construction of town hall and library.

➢ Post – Independence Period

• Many offices were shifted from Lahore to Shimla.
• The city grew magnificent tourist and trading centre after
Independence.

Present Situation 4
City form & Structure
• Most of the development has taken place between the Cart road and the Mall.
• Therefore, the main activity zone whether commercial or Government or cultural, is confined to the areas on both sides of the Mall and
between the Mall and the Cart road.
• The Heritage Buildings, Bungalows and various other complexes have generally independent approaches.
• It was developed as in British character all over the city it was a living example of heritage, planning with ecological need.
• The southern slopes immediately below the Mall in heart of the city are regarded to be one of the densely populated hill slopes with
haphazard development.

Street Pattern
• The internal circulation pattern of the city is linear and the natural
geographical hill spurs have owned the network pattern.
• The internal artery development of streets is very organic. They are
curved and circular in their character, due to hill topography.
• The Cart road is the main arterial road of the city which runs parallel to
the Mall in the city area, serving the various parts of the Shimla city. All
the other roads links this road.
• The cart road is the only road that connects the main city with its either
ends.
• The mall road is the pedestrian road which runs parallel to Cart road
and acts a major activity zone in the city.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/h6wGhw5ziyYrPymt5 5
 Architectural Character
• In order to create homely atmosphere, English architecture was use in constructing houses
during colonial period.
• Shimla is home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-
Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches.
• Meanwhile indigenous style architecture was also possessed by them so that new buildings
express different architecture which was referred as ‘Anglo – Indian Architecture’.
• However Shimla city is leaning towards more private houses and multistorey buildings.

Native Architecture Style

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/VqVpTkJ38XsRAGrt7

The dense construction covering Shimla’s hill

slopes.
The Mall (1880) https://images.citizenmatters.in/wp-
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/XYabYoBqfTxxru3M6 content/uploads/sites/2/2020/08/29123913/ShimlaConstruction1-678x1024.jpg
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Viceroy Palace
• The Viceroy palace is fine example of Elizabethan style of architecture constructed in 1880.
• Typical Gothic style elements have been used and glass windows and brick roof posses
European Castle look.
• The chosen site for lodge was on the summit of Observatory Hill. This is the second highest
point of Shimla after Jakhoo Hill.
• After independence the the lodge became summer residence of Indian Presidents as
summer capital.

Viceroy Palace
https://images.app.goo.gl/xgrgkZh8pe3eduCu7

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Socio Cultural Reflections
• The Summer festival is biggest event celebrated every year in Shimla in the month
of May. It is the 5 days carnival in Shimla.
• The festival is organized at Ridge near to mall road and center of city.
• It is usually the venue for all cultural celebrations and events. It runs east to west
alongside the Mall Road

The Ridge (Water Storage Tanks)

• The Ridge road is a large open space, located in the center of Shimla is
a hub for all cultural activities.
• Underneath the Ridge, large water tanks are placed from which water is
supplied to the British era tourist town. The Ridge houses the city's
lifeline in terms of the water reservoir, with a capacity of 1000000
gallons of water, beneath it. Summer Festival celebration at Ridge
• Because of the fact that these tanks are significantly large in size, they https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/himachal/images/shimla-summer-festival3.jpg
have been used as the main water supply for Shimla.

Global View
• During colonial period, Shimla was emerging as summer capital for British
officials.
• City of Shimla has become a multifunctional city along with dominance of tourism,
administration and institutional activities.
• It is widely known as ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. It has emerged a preferred
destination for the tourists from all over the world.

https://images.app.goo.gl/EcsisyMuiebFenoj9
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References

• http://tcp.hp.gov.in/Application/uploadDocuments/devlopmentPlan/PlanDoc020150127_173301.pdf

• http://www.itpi.org.in/files/jul7_11.pdf

• https://citizenmatters.in/shimla-illegal-construction-urbanisation-impact-on-environment-20665