Chandigarh

Presented By
Shubham
Anmol
Yogesh
Sachin
Sahil
School of Architecture and Planning,
Shimla University
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.
 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

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

 Area 114 sq kms

 Longitude 76 47' 14E
 Latitude 30 44' 14N
 Total Population 10.55 Lacs(97.25% people live in urban regions)
(2011 census)
• Density of population/sq. km. 7,900
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
 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.
• Capital Complex and high court combined in one
Industrial
govt. complex Areas
• CBD Area Remained the same
• Shifted Capital complex to higher ground
• Two linear parks were replaced by total of 6 later by 800m
8.
• Each Sector with its own green space around which
houses are designed V1
• V7 Road Concept
Leisure Valley 1200m
 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 more Arrom
than 10 minutes V3 hotel
V5
Scho
ol
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,
Edwin Maxwell Fry, and Jane Beverly Drew, Vol. 1. Maping Publishing.
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,

9, 135-150.
 Philosophy

Brain - Capitol Complex

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

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
V7 ROAD
CONCEPT
V1 ARTERIAL ROADS
Roads connecting Chandigarh with other cities in the region . The Madhya Marg and Dakshin
Marg  merge with the V1s leading to Kalka and Ambala respectively

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 City A City A

V2 MAJOR BOULEVARDS
The major avenues of Chandigarh, with important institutional and commercial buildings located on
them. E.g  Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg, Jan Marg, Himalaya Marg, Uttar Marg and Purv Marg.
V3 SECTOR DEFINERS
The corridor - streets for fast moving vehicular traffic. Every sector is surrounded by V-2 or V-3 roads

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 V5

V4 SHOPPING STREETS
N
Roads bisecting the sectors with shopping complexes located
along their southern edge
V5 CIRCULATION ROAD WITHIN SECTORS
Roads meandering through the sector giving access to its inner
lands.
V6 PROVIDING ACCESS TO
THE HOUSES
Roads coming off of the V-5s and leading to the residential houses. ment of
Architecture and Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 GREEN AREAS
V7 PEDESTRIAN PATHS
Foot paths through green belts enabling pedestrians to cross sectors without having to cross
vehicular traffic and cycle tracks.
Department of Architecture and
Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 Parklands

V8 CYCLE TRACKS
Cycle tracks through green spaces. Buses were to ply only along V2,V3 and V4 roads.

Department of Architecture and

Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur
 CONCLUSIONS
POSITIVE HIGHLIGHTS
 Each sector satisfies the necessities
of human needs
 Separate roads for pedestrian, bicycle and
heavy vehicles
 Shops on ground floor, Residence on upper
floor
 Shop protected from rain and sun, as a
covered walkway for the customers

NEGATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
 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
 PROBLEMS

With the development of the city, it is also confronting some problems because population increased in city due to
high rate of migration to cities and due to that :

 Water supply
 Power cuts
 Traffic jams during peak hours
 Pollution due to increased vehicles
 Public transport
 Cleanliness {poor waste management system}
 VISION IN TERMS OF
INFRASTRUCTURE
 Safeguarding the health, integrated management of water source, liquid & solid waste and protection of
environment.
 Protection of environment and safeguarding the health of the general public by providing a complete
underground sewerage system.
 100% Coverage of the whole green area in gardens, parks and open spaces with tertiary treated water in order to
save the potable water of drinking purposes.
 To have good connectivity of city with other cities through roads and better solid waste collection centres.
Source - Turner, T. (Director). (2015). Chandigarh 1 (of 4): Le Corbusier’s urban design
and planning [Motion Picture]. Thank You