[RE[SEARCH [DIA]LOGUES
RE-CENTERING DELHI UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
PLANNING + CONSTRUCTION
THE CURRENT CONVERSATION IN DELHI
INTRODUCTION Anna Friedrich
This book attempts to catalog and categorize the current conversation that is happening in Delhi in regard to construction and development in the city. It name the key players of the planning and development process and organizes current initiatives into thematic groups. This is an attempt to analyze the current mood of the city and discover the direction that Delhiites want for their city.
Key Players
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1
Website of the Delhi Development Authority ning department of the State Governemtn of Delhi. Not only do they create xoning lans for the city of Dlehi, the DDA actively aquires land for residential, municiapal and green development. Their website is signifigant because it rerpesent the level of transarency they try to maintain. Ordinances, meeting minutes, and zoning plans are avaialble to browse on their website.
[[http://dda.org.in/ddanew/index.aspx Accessed 16 ASept 2014]
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2
National Green Tribunal Act The National Green Tribunal was established in August 2010 as a specialized body designed to manage environmental issues. They continue to be an active force in Delhi today, providing feedback on many of the DDA’s riverfront projects. The NGT is opposed to any and all developemnt along the riverbed, including some preexisting structures.
[http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/NGT-fin.pdf Accessed 16 Sept 2014]
“An act to provide for the establishment of a National Green Tribunal for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relations to environmental protection and conservaton of forest and other natural resoruces...�
- National
Green Tribanal Act 2 June 2010
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3
DLF Advertisement DLF is India’s largest real estate company, with branches in all of the major Indian cities and projects in the residential, commerical, and retail markets. In Delhi, they are responsible for a lot of the development that is happening on the periphery of the city, in the rapidly developing wealthy neighborhoods. As demonstrated in this screenshot of one of their advertisements, they target an upper class demographic. All of the recent residential projects in Delhi have been classified as Luxury or Super Luxury, and their retail developments carry only designer and name brand stores.
[www.dlf.in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPkzCkz7gfs Accessed 14 Sept 2014]
Infrastructure
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4
Master Plan 2021 Developed by the DDA, the masterplan of 2021 seeks to explain the agency’s vision for future development in Delhi. Delhi is broken up into 15 zones including “Zone O,” which encompasses the river and floodplain.
[http://delhi-masterplan.com/ Accessed 10 September 2014]
City Park Commercial + Industrial Government + Public Use Residential
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5
Phase III Metro Expansion Expected to become fully operational in the next two years, the Phase III expansion of the metro system will add 140km more tracks to the existing subway system for a total of 330 km of track and 234 stations. This would make the Delhi Metro the seventh largest system in the world.
[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-metro-expansion-phase-iii-bawana-badli-bahadurgarh/1/384109.html Accessed 20 September 2014]
Existing Proposed
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Metro Feeder Service There is a need in delhi for a mobiilty plan that connects and analyzes all modes of transport. Simply expanding the existing metro system will not help unclog the street, becuase there will still be a lack of connection to feeder services. This quote demonstrates the awareness of a need to link the system to other modes of public transportation in order to shorten the commute for all subway riders. If the time of commute can be signifigantly shortened by public transportation, riderhsip will increase and congestion of city streets will go down.
[http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/to-unclog-delhi-hop-into-a-streetcar-named-strategy/article1-1261386.aspx] Accessed 17 September 2014]
“We have such wonderful metro network, so why can’t we spend on improving last mile connectivity? There is a total absence of a comprehensive mobility plan. Until public transport is strenghtened with feeder service, whatever infraturcture development you do is of no use.” -Professor PK Sarkar School of Planning and Architecture
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7
New Bridges There are at least 4 new traffic bridges proposed to link the two sides of the Yamuna. To the north, the Signature Bridge is being developed both as an important connector and as a new tourism hostpost and a new bridge is planned for for the Majnu Ka Tilla neighborhood. To the south, there are plans for the extension of the Barapullah elevated road across the Yamuna and an additional carriageway for the Kalindi Kunj bridge
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=385380&page=91 Accessed 17 September 2014]
Signature Bridge Majnu Ka Tilla Bridge
Barapullah Elevated Road Expansion Kalindi Kunj Bridge Expansion
Existing Proposed
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8
Signature Bridge Scheduled to open in September 2015, Signature Bridge is designed to be a new landmark and tourist attraction in Wazirabad, north of the city. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Corporation has plans to develop the floodplain near the bridge with “water-bodies, viewing points, parking areas, promenades and winding walkways.� The east bank will be preserved and revived into a healthy natural habitat and the west bank is zoned to have more urban development.
[indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-to-get-new-tourism-hotspot/1/382874.html Accessed 12 September 2014]
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9
Millennium Park Bus Depot Status: Proposal Site: 60 Acres The Millennium Park Bus Depot was initially built exclusively for the 2010 Commonwealth games. However, the depot became the largest bus station in the world, operated by the Delhi Transportation corporation, after the games were over. It has been the subject of major controversy and the cause of many protests by environmentalists. In January 2014 the Delhi government ordered the Delhi Transportation Corporation to vacate the depot by October 31st 2014. Delhi government has not yet made clear what they plan to do with the land.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Park_Bus_Depot Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Bridge As Tourist Destination 10 Signature This quote represents one side of the converation in Delhi, which promotes tourism and development on the riverfront.
http://www.gammonindia.com/media-centre/pdfs/signature-bridge-article.pdf Accessed 17 September 2014]
“When the master plan is fully implemented, [the Signature Bridge] will be showcased in the midst of a large water body and specifically landscaped and wooded surroundings. Together the Bridge and its environs will serve as a unique tourist destination.“
- Harshavardhan Subbarao Construma Consultancy, Ltd
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Trail 11 Heritage Based on a study conducted by the Delhi Ministry of Tourism, The
Heritage Trail maps out potential route for a tourism circuits. It is an attempt by the city to guide tourists (both foreign and domestic) to selected corridors for economic development.
“Identification of Tourism Cicuits Across India“ ILFS Infrastucture, April 2012 Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Jubilee Park 12 Golden Golden Jubilee Park is a work in progress by the DDA. They have developed 650 acres south of the Old Iron Bridge into a recreational park and picnic spot. They had to relocate a slum settlement to develop the park. The park is maintained by the city, but because of the lack of program in the park, the space is underutilized. There are no lights in the park, so the area is generally avoided at night. There are plans by the city to develop the park further by adding more program and a biodiversity park on the east bank. The NGT does not approve of this project becuase of its emphasis of development in the floodplain.
[http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/to-revive-yamuna-bank-eco-park-recreational-space-planned-by-dda/ http://cityplus.jagran.com/city-news/-golden-jubilee-park_1327133797.html Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Bridge Park 13 Nizamuddin Status: Proposal Site: Unknown
The DDA has proposed a project similar to the Golden Jubilee Park on a site south of the Nizamuddin bridge. The NGT does not approve of this project because it believes it will degrade the river even further.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Scrap-Yamuna-riverfront-project-panel-says/articleshow/34215905. cms Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Town Hall Renewal Project 14 Delhi Proposed by the North Delhi Munical Corporation, the project seeks
to transform the historic, 150 year old building into a major tourist attraction. The proposed plan includes a museum, heritage boutique hotel, conference hall, children’s corner, multi cuisine restaurants, and audio/visual and meeting rooms.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-town-hall-renewal-project-cleared/article5719056.ece Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Emporio 15 DLF Status: Complete Site: 1.85 Acres
The DLF Emporio is an example of the luxury development that is happening outside of the center of the city and away from the river. The mall is the first luxury mall in the city and one of the most expensive malls in the country. It is located in Vishant Visar, one the most exclusive residential neighborhoods in Delhi.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLF_Emporio http://www.dlfemporio.com/mobile/images/homePage/bg/pic1.jpg Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Galleria 16 DLF Status: Complete Site: 0.5 Acres
Located in East Delhi, this major mall development is “strongly positioned to tap the emergent market of East Delhi.” It is also Delhi’s first “booze mall.” Almost the entire first floor is occupied by liquor stores.
http://delhigreens.com/2010/02/01/invite-world-wetlands-day-celebration-at-yamuna-biodiversity-park/http:// cityplus.jagran.com/city-news/-golden-jubilee-park_1327133797.html Accessed 17 September 2014]
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the River Alone 17 Leave This quote represents the other side of the argument which wants to leave the river alone and allow it to revive its natural ecosystem. Led by the NGT, this movement opposes any new development on the riverfront.
[[http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/will-junk-yamuna-projects-dda/article1-1212637.aspx Accessed 17 September 2014]
“Nature is most beautiful in its wilderness and starkness. It needs no embellishment. You kill rivers through amphitheatres, exhibition areas, mythological parks and food plazas�
- Manoj Mishra Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan
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Biodiversity Park 18 Yamuna Status: Complete Site: 158 Acres
The Yamuna Biodiversity Park is a project by the DDA spread over 447 acres to the north of the city in Wazirabad. The project focused on revitalizing the natural ecologies of the Yamuna River and floodplain. Visitors are allowed to wander on the many footpaths and trails, but the land is heavily protected from any development. The NGT approves of this project because it benefits the natural health of the river.
http://delhigreens.com/2010/02/01/invite-world-wetlands-day-celebration-at-yamuna-biodiversity-park/ https://dda.org.in/greens/biodiv/yamuna-biodiversity-park.html Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Bird Sanctuary 19 Okhla Status: Complete Site: 896 Acres
First created in 1990, the Okhla Bird Sanctuary represents the ongoing effort to revitalize the natural ecosytem of the Yamuna River. In August 2013, the NGT ordered the Noida authorities to impose a protective 10km radius around the sanctuary to protect from unathorized construction.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okhla_Sanctuary http://m5.i.pbase.com/o6/95/896295/1/131834925.Vjd2esum.OkhlaNewDelhi.jpg Accessed 17 September 2014]
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to Ahmedabad Canal 20 Comparison Quote by a petitioner to the NGT, urging them to not follow
Amedabad‘s lead, after a team of environmentalists travelled to the city to study the project on the Sabarmati.
a. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/sabarmati-no-model-for-river-rejuvenation/article6091363.ece Accessed 17 September 2014]
“Do we want to rejuvenate our river, or create an artificial canal in the city? In Ahmedabad, only a canal was created by the Gujarat Government, there has been no rejuvenation of Sabarmati.� - Manoj Mishra Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan
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DDA Housing Scheme 21 2014 In an effort to increase home ownership, the DDA actively builds and
aquires apartment buildings around Delhi to sell at lower that market rates. After a new scheme is announced, citizens are asked to send in applications and winners are picked by lottery. In September of 2014, the DDA announced that they would offer 25,034 flats. Of these, 22,627 will be one-bed room apartments. The prices of these flats range from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 1.2 crore. There are a special group of flats designated for an Economically Weaker Section (EWS). Only citizens who make less than 1 lakh a year can apply for these homes.
http://delhigreens.com/2010/02/01/invite-world-wetlands-day-celebration-at-yamuna-biodiversity-park/http:// cityplus.jagran.com/city-news/-golden-jubilee-park_1327133797.html Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Slum Rehabilitation 22 Kathputli Representing a drastic change in policy, the Kathputli Slum is the
first to be rehabilitated under the DDA’s new plan. In the past the DDA’s policy with slum rehabilitation was to provide the slum-dwellers housing in the outer regions of the city. The plan was not successful because the new housing was not close to the jobs available in the heart of the city. Under the new plan, the DDA temporarily relocates slum dwellers to a camp outside of the city while they commission private developers to build 1 bedroom apartments for every family who lived in the slum. This plan allows for slum dwellers to remain on the land they had already inhabited and stay close to the available jobs. The costs are borne by the private developer, and, in return, the developer is given a small portion of land for private development that they can sell on the open market,
h. http://www.kathputlicolonydda.com/proposed-units.asp#la http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000REVpteDjB08/s/900/900/ZCA00159IND.jpg Accessed 17 September 2014]
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King’s Court 23 DLF Status: In progress Site 2.46 Acres
An example of the exclusive “super luxury” developments being created outside of the center of Delhi and removed from the river. An excert form the project description on the DLF website: “DLF presents King’s Court, the most iconic property this city has ever seen. Crafted in the heart of New Delhi, GK-II, W-block, King’s Court is as exclusive as it gets. For there are only a limited number of homes on offer. Encrusted with the best in class luxury money can buy, along with the subtle elegance that money just can’t. Needless to say, these are for the ‘Limited few’.”
[http://www.dlf.in/dlf/wcm/connect/residential/homes/residential/projects/super+luxury+homes/ dlf+kings+court%2C+greater+kailash+ii%2C+new+delhi/site+layout+-+dlf+kings+court%2C+greater+kailash+ii Accessed 13 September 2014]
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Queen’s Court 24 DLF Status: Complete Site: 1.15 Acres
Located near King’s court, Queen’s Court is another example of the exclusive “super luxury” developments being created outside of the center of Delhi and removed from the river. An excert form the project description on the DLF website: “Welcome to the DLF Queen’s Court. A legacy in luxury is born in the heart of New Delhi, GK-II, E-block. A rare collection of uber indulgent homes encrusted with the best that money can buy and subtle elegance that money just can’t. Queen’s Court is as exclusive as it gets.”
[http://www.dlf.in/dlf/wcm/connect/Residential/Homes/Residential/Projects/Super+Luxury+Homes/ DLF+Queens+Court%2C+Greater+Kailash+II%2C+New+Delhi/ Accessed 17 September 2014]
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Capital Greens 25 DLF Status: In-progress Site: 38 Acres
Capital Greens is an example of the high rise luxury apartments that are popular with Delhi’s upper class. Slightly less exclusive then King’s and Queen’s court, it is still an example of the luxury developments being created outside of the center of Delhi and removed from the river.
[http://www.dlf.in/dlf/wcm/connect/residential/homes/residential/projects/luxury+homes/dlf+capital+greens%2C+p hase+iii%2C+new+delhi/overview+-+dlf+capital+greensiii%2C+shivaji+marg%2C+delhi Accessed 17 September 2014]