Chandigarh- Experiment with Development Controls

Abstract

Development Controls have been used globally to define the planning and architectural vocabulary of the cities and neighborhoods beside implementing long term and short-term development plans, prepared for the cities. However, looking globally, cities have grown differently and distinctly. In majority of cases cities have grown both in a planned and unplanned manner. In addition, built environment created has also not conformed to the ideals of quality, safety, sustainability etc. Root cause of major urban maladies/ills lies in the irrational Development Controls, put in place for the planning and designing of cities and their environment. Accordingly, it becomes important that these controls are viewed objectively and rationally, so as to make cities more livable, sustainable, safe, resilient and inclusive. Looking at the complexity and context of these controls, paper makes an attempt to define the role, relevance and importance of Development Controls in the art and science of planning cities and designing built environment. It also identifies typologies of the Development Controls made applicable in the cities. For illustrating the role of Development Controls, in defining the fabric, structure and culture of cities, paper takes the example of capital city of Chandigarh, which is known for its planning, architecture, locally and globally. Briefly explaining the controls made applicable in Chandigarh, text concludes with suggestions which need to be taken care of while framing Development Controls, in order to make cities sustainable, safe, qualitative and more productive.