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Role of Density in Urbanization & the need to utilise vacant land parcels in the National Capital Territory
2012
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to acknowledge our profound gratitude to Mr.Jagan Shah, our guide, for his constant
encouragement, invaluable guidance and supportive attitude.
We are indebted to him for his very learned guidance and whole-hearted support in tracing the right path
throughout the seminar.
We. Express our gratitude and heartful thanks to the co-ordinator Ms.Ritu Verma for her valuable
suggestions and constructive criticism of the work during the class reviews.
We also thank Mr.Amit Sarma and Ms.Drishti Neogi for their valuable suggestions and advise during the
stages of work.
We would also like to thank the respected library staff for their support.
Last but not the least, our sincere thanks to our classmates for keeping up our morale and worthy
cooperation & encouragement.
We are grateful to our parents, brothers and sisters for being a constant source of inspiration, love and
support.
This seminar would have been incomplete had it not been for their presence.
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Table of Content
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
Chapter 1 : Introduction – Deals with explaining the topic on a broader scale i.e. city level, the complex
and the expanding nature of the city. It deals with the basic need for the study, the context and the basic
methodology that will be adopted to achieve the objectives of the study. It further creates a sense of
questioning about the topic and how will it be achieved.
1.1 Introduction Page no. 4
1.2 Context of research Page no. 5
1.3 Aim Page no. 6
1.4 Objectives Page no. 6
1.5 Methodology Page no. 6
Chapter 2 : Literature review – This section deals with answering the above questions, detailed
explanations of the topics through literature surveys and formation of detailed framework both
theoretical and operative. This goes into the study as to how exactly the area will be studied and on what
parameters the vacant land will be classified on the basis of density it offers. It questions what exactly is a
vacant land and what makes a land be called as vacant.
2.1 Research questions
2.2 Theoretical framework
Understanding density and its implications
Understanding urban land parcels
2.3 Operative Framework
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Chapter 3 : STUDY AREA- The most critical section of this research paper. It starts with brief description
about the MPD-2021 and covers the identification of vacant land in the areas. It also deals with
categorizing them into the typologies generated in the above section. After dealing with the various zones
at macro level, it also concentrates on the urban tissue of vacant to analyse the vacant land in detail and
to study its contribution to urban pattern and its transformation.
Chapter 4 : Case Study – Analysis part choosing the case studies and analyzing them both through
primary survey and theoretical framework generated at macro and micro level.
-Banks of river Yamuna
Chapter 5: Inferences – This section is the synthesis of the whole seminar paper. Why was it important to
choose this topic and the extent to which it helps in the present day situation.
Chapter 6: Bibliography
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ABSTRACT In this paper we investigate the possibilities of new typologies of urban public space for high density environments. The premise for the project would be that with new high-density typologies, it would be necessary to consider a difference in the nature of urban public spaces rather than a difference in degree from the status quo. For this paper we shall focus on the particular case of Yamuna river banks as a vacant urban public space. A literature review focuses on reviewing key theories to construct and adopt a rating system to develop an empirical framework to evaluate the case studies and extract the key attributes. These rated attributes are then abstracted in a real-time model that enables user manipulation. The purpose is to create a tool to better observe the effects and evolution of planning decisions for future urban spaces in high density contexts. The combination of different types, hence their parameters may be used for effective replication of their characteristics to improve the decision-making process for urban designers. The research is not intended to reproduce the successful urban public spaces but rather result in a catalogue of typologies which can be referred to during the initial stages of planning to provide an indication of spatial qualities.
Keywords : High density environments; collective urban space; hybrid typologies;
Chapter 1- INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
The cities of today have changed from the cities of the past in the nature of function and methodology of
function. The cities, of the past were walled within a single focus. This wall collapsed over time, and the
city started sprawling out. Today the boundary is mere a line and that too on map. The cities of today are
polycentric in nature unlike the cities of the past. The sprawl of the city is typically determined by the
various factors such as function, geography, social groupings and transportation networks. Rapidly
growing cities exert a tremendous pressure on their land parcels. There is a very large level of physical
complexity within the fabric. When the city reprograms certain areas over time, some fragments get left
out, here the death of cultivated space is happening. There is a need to understand this void in the
modern day city not as empty useless spaces, rather re-program them for re-integration into the city
fabric.
Since the industrial revolution, world population has been growing rapidly, so have the cities. The
complex structure of today’s city is often compared to machines and living organisms.
SPIRO KOSTOF notes, “ if the city is a machine that must function efficiently, it is subject to obsolescence,
and needs constant tuning and updating. What is done to the city form will be thought of as mechanical
adjustments, to make the city work or run properly.”1
1 Spiro Kostof and Richard Tobias, The City Shaped ( New York : Bulfinch Publisher, 1993)
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“if the city is an organism and we speak of cells and arteries, it can become pathological, and
interventions to correct the diseased form will be in the nature of surgery.”2
The process of tuning or surgery as talked above is a part of the healthy growth process of the cities.
From time to time due to a number of factors some parts within the city may become obsolete and stop
contributing productively to the cities fabric. These obsolete precincts appear as vacant land in the city’s
fabric.
Vacant land is a source of blight and disease. “for example, abandoned land account for 75 to 90 percent
of fires in the city of flint, yet the city has reduced fire service due to a significant financial crisis.”3 Vacant
urban land reduces the very resource available to address the problems of expansion and growth. Local
property taxes become less available due to devaluation of land values.
1.2 CONTEXT OF RESEARCH
“The definition of vacant land is different from one place to another. State governments are responsible
for creating at least part of the contextual variation, but even within a single state, the term ‘vacant land’
has remarkable depth and range.”4
F-zone of Delhi is known for its high percentage of open space and historic monuments. The image of F-
zone is that of a green zone.
Land use Total area in Ha Percentage
1. Residential 3700 30.94
2. Commercial 160 1.34
3.Manufacturing 513 4.29
4. Recreational 2800 23.41
5. Transportation 1245 10.41
6. Utility 264 2.21
7. Govt offices 38 0.32
Govt land 820 6.86
2
Ibid
3 Daniel T. Kildee, “Rethinking Urban Land”, Genesee County:39
4 Ann O’M.Bowman and Michael A. Pagano, Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban Strategies ( Washington : Georgetown University Press),18
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8. Public and semi public 1346 11.26
9. Misc. Including dairy colonies 1072 8.96
Total 11958 100
Source- Zonal development plan, 2001
The distribution and composition of various land uses in this zone indicates a comparative large
percentage of land under ‘recreational land use’ and a large area is also left as vacant space. This study
attempts to check this image of various zones in MPD-2021 like zone-F, by analysing the unused and
misused open spaces/vacant land and the reasons behind it.
1.3 AIM:
To identify the vacant land parcels in the National Capital Territory and highlighting the
opportunities they can offer with respect to optimization of resources available.
1.4 OBJECTIVES
To study the concept of vacant land in order to understand:
o The factors for their formation and growth
o Their spatial quality and activities which take place within.
The role of city’s expansion and transformation in the formation of these vacant lands.
1.5 METHODOLOGY
The methodology of this framework for research will be the theoretical analysis done through literature
research, collection of data and impact analysis of case studies. In order to achieve the above mentioned
objectives, certain appropriate methodology is adopted which includes:
Objective- understanding of the concept of urban vacant land with reference to the density it
offers
Method 1) Through literature reviews- formations of research questions
Books referred- Ann O’M. Bowman, Michael A. Pagano, Terra Incognita: VACANT LAND AND
URBAN STRATEGIES
- Jonathan Barnett, Urban Design as public policy
- Spiro Kostof, The City Assembled, 1992
Stating some definitions of vacant land.
Factors leading to the formation of vacant land
Types of vacant land
Vacant land: negative and positive
Health of cities as a function of vacant land
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Role of transformation of city in formation of vacant land
Method 2) Formation of theoretical framework based on the literature review by:
Listing various types of vacant land possible
Characteristics of vacant land listed above
Method 3) Formation of operative framework
Objective- Identification of the vacant land parcels.
Macro level
- Identifying the vacant land in “Built plan” of the city.
- Checking these areas in the Land-Use Plan of the city.
- Categorizing them according to the criteria formed in theoretical
framework.
Land use with no use happening
Ill-maintained green areas
Land-use not confirmed, ie. Land marked with some land use in ZDP
but some other land use taking place.
- Evaluating them in operative framework generated.
- Detail level
1. Taking various zones as urban issues and identifying vacant land in the
“built plan” of the city of Delhi as well as Google Earth image.
2. analyzing these vacant lands in terms of context, ownership pattern, land
use, built use surrounding these.
3. Listing the common features in the above analysed areas and their
contribution to the urban pattern
4. Study of transformation leading to formation of these areas through any
one case example.
Objective- Study these urban vacant land parcels. This would include:
Method 1 ) Primary Survey
- Study of the activities happening in these areas
- Analyzing factors generated from literature review which lead to the
formation of these spaces or influence their functioning i.e. their
location, context, structuring.
- Analyzing the impact of these spaces on their surroundings and vice-
versa
- Inferences
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METHODOLOGY
Establish the need for study and objectives
THEORETICAL SURVEY
LITERATURE SURVEY – DENSITY
Concept of density in residential areas
Density types
Density considerations
PRACTICAL STUDIES
SECONDARY SURVEY
Google earth images
Superimposing the built plan of
City upon the land use plan
LITERATURE SURVEY – VOIDS
Definition of vacant land
Factors leading to the formation of vacant land
Types of vacant land
Vacant land positives and negatives
City and vacant land
City transformations and vacant land
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Land with no use happening
Ill maintained green areas
Lad use not confirmed
OPERATIVE FRAMEWORK
CASE STUDY
Identification and categorisation of vacant land
Along the course of river Yamuna at micro and macro
level
SYNTHESIS INFERENCE ANALYSIS
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CHAPTER 2- LITERATURE REVIEW
TERRA INCOGNITA : Vacant land and Urban Strategies
By Ann O’M. Bowman, Michael A. Pagano
“ perhaps it is a field that neighbourhood children have turned into a playground or an old,
abandoned factory that is secured by chain-link fencing and “keep-out” signs. It might be a surface
parking lot wedged between two office towers, or a wetland where a variety of plant life flourishes. It
could be an overgrown lot littered with garbage or a crumbling row house where cars without tyres are
permanently parked. It might be the future site of a gated community or a retail mall. Vacant land is both
ubiquitous and diverse and both a problem and resource.”5
Research Questions Generated
o What are vacant land parcels?
o What are various kinds of urban vacant land based on contextual analysis? And how are
they different from each other?
Urban vacant land is a widely defined term consisting of two entities mainly ‘urban’ and ‘vacant land’
which together make the term urban vacant land. A typical dictionary definition for ‘urban’ is –
“pertaining to, characteristic of, or constituting a city.”6 And that of vacant is –“ having no contents,
void, having no occupants or not in use.”7
Urban Vacant Land- an empty package of land constituting a city
Health of cities as a function of vacant land
Ratio of vacant land to healthy areas serves as a measure of the integrity and the health of the city. A
healthy city is one with minimum areas existing as vacant land. The timely re-integration of these
vacant land parcels is essential to be carried out so as to maintain the integrity of the urban fabric
and to prevent it from degeneration.
“the phrase ‘vacant land’ tends to evoke negative images: abandonment, decay, emptiness etc. It is often
conceived of as a problem, a negative situation that requires correction. Yet beyond this bleak landscape,
alternative conceptions of vacant land are possible. Far from being an unrelentingly negative condition,
vacant land may come to symbolize opportunity, it may represent a resource that localities want to
5 Ann O’M.Bowman and Michael A. Pagano, Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban Strategies ( Washington : Georgetown University Press),1
6 George Ostler, the little Oxford Dictionary, edited by Maurice Waite, ( Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998),730
7 Ibid,732
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maximize. The alternative images of vacant land convey availability, space, opportunity, and
informality.”8
Research Questions Generated
o Urban vacant land – negative or a potential situation?
“a vacant parcel’s lack of utilization may result from its physical properties, perhaps a steep slope or small
size. Or land may be vacant because of an economic decision to shut down an inefficient industrial facility.
In some instances, market considerations fuel vacancy, such as holding land for speculative purposes. Or
vacancy may stem from a governmental action, such as designation of parcels as parkland or a habitat
preserve. Thus, vacant land can include ”raw dirt”, property with abandoned structure, land with recently
razed buildings, perimeter agricultural land contaminated land, and green fields.” 9
o What are the various causes that lead to the formation of these vacant lands?
“Urban Design as a public policy”- by Jonathan Barnett
“Today’s city is not an accident. Its form is usually unintentional, but it is not accidental. It is a product of
decisions made for single, separate purposes, whose inter-relationships and side effects have not been
fully considered. The design of cities has been determined by engineers, surveyors, lawyers, and investors
each making individual rational decisions for rational reasons, but leaving the design of the city to be
taken care of later, if at all” 10
“ while people of importance in government and real estate are used to considering “design” as the icing
on the cake, the design professionals also to blame for his lack of influence over the form of cities.”11
o Who is responsible for the tearing of city’s fabric that further leads to the formation of vacant
land?
The City Assembled : by Spiro Kostof
City growth and pressures are created by the migration of people into the city and also due to natural
increase in population within the city itself. Mc. Carey states that, “man, the molecule of society is
the subject of the social sciences... the greater the number collected in a given space, the greater the
attractive force that is there relaxed.”
8
Ann O’M.Bowman and Michael A. Pagano, Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban Strategies ( Washington : Georgetown University Press),1-2
9 Ibid,4 10 Jonathen Barnett, Urban Design as public policy.(Architectural Record Books),1974
11 Ibid,6
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How are voids formed in urban centres.....?
CITY EDGE MULTIPLE EDGES ` CITY GATES
EARLY SUBURBS
OPEN CITY PLANNED EXTENSIONS
TRANSPORT AND CITY EDGE
MULTI FOCI/CECENTRALISATION OF THE LAPSE IN PLANNING POLICY
CITY AND REPROGAMMING
FORMATION OF VOIDS
2.2 THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK
2.2.1 UNDERSTANDING DENSITY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
DENSITY
Density refers to the number of persons per square unit area. The term density has a wide range of
connotations depending on the objectives for which it is unused. There are two types of densities in
terms of residential sector.
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CONCEPT OF DENSITY IN RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
Residential areas occupy more than half of the land of most towns and cities. It is the single largest use of
land in urban areas. The foremost controls on the development of these residential areas are zoning, sub-
division regulations and building bye-laws.
Among these controls the latter two usually reflect the same essence as already contained in the zoning.
Zoning is primarily of three kinds.
Use zoning
Density zoning
Height /bulk zoning
Thus given a particular use zones as residential areas, density is the biggest determinant of the character
of an area. In urban areas density has an intrinsic relationship with the desirable perspective of the
population concentration. Density closely relates land and people based upon the holding capacity
envisaged level of living desired in the plan.
DENSITY TYPES :
Gross residential density12 - gross residential density at any level refers to the number of dwelling units
or the number of persons per unit area of gross area. At the residential level it would include the
incidental spaces, area of access roads and the area under local community facilities. However at the
layout level it would not include any aster plan level greens, community facilities and services.
It refers to the overall density of population residing in an urban area. It is arrived at by dividing the
population of the city thereof by the corresponding total urban area. It is an affective Yardstick to
measure the degree of concentration between the different cities and towns.
Net residential density – the net residential density at each level refers to the number of dwelling units of
area under residential use. This would include all areas as under roads, amenities and facilities and
neighbourhood level greens. Density of development is also measured either by the direct concentration
of population per unit area or in terms of building floor area ratio. (F.A.R.). The F.A.R. is arrived at by
means of following formula;
FAR = COVERED AREA/PLOT AREA X NUMBER OF FLOORS13.
12
Dawn , raje (thesis : department of urban design, SPA) : traffic impacts due to redensification of Delhi. 13
The concept of F.A.R. is more applicable in residential areas, whereas the parallel connotations in commercial areas is floor space index(F.S.I.)
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DENSITY CONNOTATIONS
Developed area density: it refers to the density of the city with reference to the total populated and the
area defined as developed area. This indicates the extent of pressure and concentration of urban
population on the land that is available for urban use.
Residential area density : this is defined as the density with reference to the total population and urban
land areas defined as the residential area. This represents a rational measure of population on residential
land.
Ward density: this refers to the average number of persons inhabiting a unit area of ward defined in the
census of India. This helps to establish the intra city distribution of population.
Density pattern in the city of Delhi14
UNFORSEEN GROWTH IN URBAN POPULATION15
Delhi’s population grew from being 0.54% of the country’s population in 1961 to 1.03% of the total
country’s population in 1991 – an increase of about 1.9 times over a period of 30 years. Compared to this,
the urban population of India increased by only 1.44 times during this period.
In 1901 , 52.7% of the total population of Delhi was urban. The urban areas in Delhi territory has
increased from 22% in 1961 to 62.5% of the total area in 2001.
The rapid urbanisation of Delhi has resulted in a sharp increase in the density of population. In 1901, the
density was 274 persons per sq. Km., this increased to 1176 persons/sq. Km. In 1951 and 9294 in 2001.
The population of urban Delhi has increased at a decadle growth rate of 48.37% during the decades of
1941-1991. In was 40.6 lakh in 1971 and 94.21 lakh in 1991.
14
Urban Age 15
SOURCE: M.P. DELHI
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About 2.5% of urban population is living under very high ward density (above 1000 ppha). About 25% of
urban population living under high ward density conditions (250-1000 ppha). 38% of total urban
population is living under moderate density conditions (62.5-250 ppha).
SPATIAL INDICATOR BASED ANALYSIS16
INCREASE IN THE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS IN DELHI
The increase on the population in the past few years has led to the increase in the housing requirements
in Delhi creating a wide gap between the demand and supply of housing units.
16 Seamless urbanisation and knotted city growth:Delhi Metropolitan Region by Manisha Jain
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011
NEW HOUSING REEQUIRED (LAKH DU)
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PERIOD NEW HOUSING REEQUIRED AVERAGE PER YEAR
1981-1986 3.23 LAKH DU 0.65
1986-1991 3.74 LAKH DU 0.76
1991- 1996 4.34 LAKH DU 0.87
1996 – 2001 4.83 LAKH DU 0.97
2001- 2006 5.42 LAKH DU 1.08
2006- 2011 5.81 LAKH DU 1.16
SOURCE – MPD 2021
HOUSING STOCK IN DELHI
HOUSING SUB- SYSTEMS HOUSING STOCK PERCENTAGE
Traditional 1.5 lakh 10%
Plotted 15 lakh 50%
Apartments 2.3 lakh 30%
Squatters 1.4 lakh 10%
SOURCE – DDA RECORDS
10%
50%
30%
10%
HOUSING STOCK IN DELHI
TRADITIONAL
PLOTTED
APPARTMENTS
SQUATTERS
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ANALYSIS
The current situation in the housing stock requirements represents that there are still 80% of low rise
residential buildings, which accommodate only people, and only 20% residential buildings are high rse.
People are shifting to the high rise residential blocks at a very fast rate due to factors like security,
affordability , community lifestyle, etc. Density has a very small part to play in the shift towards the high
rise apartments in the Indian context. The housing stock requirement in DELHI explains that still 50%
developed is plotted whereas the traditional and squatters contribute to 20% of the housing stock.
POPULATION IN DELHI SINCE 1981 – FIG IN LAKHS
YEAR ADDITIONAL BY NATURAL GROWTH INCREASE IN MIGRATION NET INCREASE
1981 12 9.52 21.54
1991 18.9 13.05 32
2001 26.66 17.64 44.30
2011 24.2 20 44.2
2021 24 24 48
SOURCE – CENSUS OF INDIA AND PROJECTIONS BY DDA
50%
5% 5%
10%
15%
15%
LAND USE PROFILES FOR DELHI
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
PUBLIC ANS SEMI PUBLIC
RECREATIONAL AND GREEN
CIRCULATION
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LAND USE PROFILES OF DELHI
TYPE PERCENTAGE OF LAND
RESIDENTIAL 50
COMMERCIAL 5
INDUSTRIAL 5
PUBLIC ANS SEMI PUBLIC 10
RECREATIONAL AND GREEN 15
CIRCULATION 15
SOURCE – MPD 2021
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
INCREASE IN MIGRATION (FIG IN LAKHS)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
MIGRATION WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS( FIG IN LAKHS)
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2.2.2 UNDERSTANDING URBAN LAND PARCELS
Theoretical framework is formed through analysis of the literature review.
What makes a place vacant ?
-Physical properties
o Steep slope
o Small in size
o Wild plantation
-Spatial Quality
o No physical or visual connectivity
o Size
-Activities taking place
o Acting as a Dump yard
o Squatters
o Having no occupants
o Undeveloped
o Land with some previous productive use
Types of vacant lands
o Land with no use happening
o Ill maintained green areas
o Land use not confirmed, i.e. land marked with some land use but some other land use
taking place.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
NET INCREASE IN MIGRATION ( FIG IN LAKHS
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Factors leading to the formation of vacant land
o Lack in planning policy
Often in the course of city expansion, developments take place which may force planning
authorities to take decisions in the best interest of the city as a whole. These may sometimes
result in certain area being sacrificed in the process of facilitating further growth.
o Lack of transformation
As cities grow, certain areas may not be able to transform and change with the trends of the
city. This happens usually as a result of shifting trends, land use etc.
o Site topography
A vacant parcel’s lack of utilization may result from its physical properties, perhaps a steep
slope or a small size
The three characteristics that limit the redevelopment potential of vacant land are:
- Vacant land relatively small in size
- Odd- shaped parcels
- Wrong location
o Shutting down of the existing function
Vacancy because of an economic decision to shut down an inefficient industrial facility. In
some instances, market considerations fuel vacancy, such as holding land for speculative
purposes.
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CHAPTER 3: STUDY AREA
3.1. CHATTARPUR
17
18
CONSTRAINTS:
-Land use pattern of some of the areas in this zone is not defined in the MPD-2021. As a result, all
sorts of development happens this area.
- Accessibility in the interior part is very poor due to massive encroachment of the
habitable spaces on the roads which are meant for free public access.
- Unauthorized industrial activities form a major part of development in this area due to
un-notified land-use.
17
Built Plan of the Chattarpur Area 18
Google image from 100m altitude level
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OPPORTUNITIES :
- very good link to entire city of Delhi by Delhi Metro
- availability of large chunks of open lands for development.
- monuments present in the close vicinity can act as a catalyst to develop this area as a
tourist hub if taken care by the necessary authorities.
3.2. Delhi Cantonment
19
20
CONSTRAINTS-
– Not feasible to inter-mix the general public residential fabric with that of the defence
establishment.
-Security is a major issue as the defence officers reside here, e g Shankar Vihar.
19
Built Plan of the Delhi Cantt 20
Google image from 100m altitude level
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OPPORTUNITIES –
- Excellent accessibility in all interior parts of this defence set-up.
-Lies in close proximity to the Delhi Airport.( within 5 kms radius )
-Railway station-Delhi Cantt- has some of the major trains passing through it.
-Connected to the other parts of the city by good network of roads.
- Sparsely dense area with massive chunks of open land for future expansion.
3.3. Dwarka (sector-4)
21
22
21
Built plan of Dwarka Sector-4 22
Google image from 100m altitude level
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CONSTRAINTS :
-Irregular patches of green spaces making it difficult to use for the people to use at regular intervals. Eg-
entire sector-4 Dwarka currently lies as underdeveloped and green area which can be better used if
provided at regular intervals.
-Building height becomes a strong constraint due to close vicinity to the airport.
OPPORTUNITIES:
- Excellent physical infrastructure adds to the resource availability in this zone.
- very close to the international airport.
- surrounded by planned development in the form of cluster housing.
- large amounts of HOLDING CAPACITY of this area under-utilized till date.
- excellent connectivity to the city centre in the form of Delhi Metro and Airport Express Link.
3.4. Safdarjung
23
23
Built Plan of the Safdarjung Area
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24
CONSTRAINTS
- The people residing in this area are against new development on their own lands as
the ownership pattern is very ambiguous dating back to the India Pakistan partition.
- Vicinity to public buildings of national importance can act as a hindrance in redeveloping this
area as a dense residential fabric.
OPPORTUNITIES
- Large chunks of under-developed land has now turned into unused green spaces whereas the MPD
envisages this completely as a residential zone.
- Areas like Safdarjung airport lie unused thus using a major component of land in this area.
- Large chunks of land provided for sprawing bungalows of ministers & bureaucrats becomes a leading
factor in the rising disparity between different economic groups if the city.
- Provides a perfect opportunity for the planners and designers to develop this area as a high density high
value mixed use development area to cater to all functional requirements.
3.5. Restricted Yamuna Banks
25
24
Google image from 100 m altitude level 25
Built plan of the Yamuna Banks
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CONSTRAINTS
- due to the recumbent flooding in this area every year, hesitance in the minds of the people to develop
this area.
- minimal effort by the government agencies to construct proper embankments which can then facilitate
development in this area.
OPPORTUNITIES
- large chunks of land determined as residential area in the MPD-2021 lie vacant in the current time due
to the fear of floods.
- entire area can be developed as a waterfront development which can be very high value to the city.
- study examples of building cities like London upon Thames.
3.6. Pusa Road
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26
Google image from 100m altitude level 27
Built Plan of the Pusa Road
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CONSTRAINTS
- the ridge can act as a hindrance in developing low cost development, as the cost of
development (excluding the land value) can exceed due to rocky terrain.
OPPORTUNITIES
- the land-use plan of MPD-2021 envisages this area to be an URBANISABLE area.
- massive chunks of land lie under-developed
- close proximity to the city centre
- strong opportunity to use the services like airport express link.
3.6. Areas abutting Connaught Place
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Google image from 100m altitude level 29
Built plan of the areas abutting Connaught place
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CONSTRAINTS
- 80-90% of the area residing in this area live in slums along the railway track leading to the new delhi
railway station.
- Small chunks of open land available for future development.
- Further densifiction not viable as this area is commercially very dense.
- Strict development guidelines laid down by the DUAC conforming to conservation norms of
Lutyen’s Delhi.
OPPORTUNITIES
- Lies in the heart of the city with excellent access to all major parts of the city.
- Delhi’s best CBD in very close vicinity
- Delhi’s highest employment rate in this area.
3.7. Golf Links / Kaka Nagar
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30 Google image from 100m altitude level 31 Built plan of Golf Links/ Kaka Nagar
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CONSTRAINTS
- buildings of national importance lie in close vicinity resulting in non-availability of land for residential
fabric.
- lies in close proximity to the Lodhi Gardens, Khan market and Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone which may
restrict the development in this area.
OPPORTUNITIES
- the area is characterized by low density low rise development which make way for a mid-rise
development keeping the density same to retain the character of this place.
- large chunks of land in Kaka Nagar provided for sprawling bungalows of bureaucrats and ministers which
can be modified to suit higher density
- very close to the city centre and excellent infrastructure facilities available in this area
- sprawling Delhi Golf Club adds to the amenities in this area.
- potential site for high value development.
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Google image from 100m altitude level
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CHAPTER 5- CASE STUDY – BANKS OF RIVER YAMUNA
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The stretch that has been covered for study is along the river Yamuna from Noida toll bridge to Delhi
border on the Wazirabad side. One km from each side of the river has been studied.
RIVER YAMUNA
In Delhi, the primary water body has been left out as the surrounding city was developing.
This phenomenon can also be reflected in the past of Delhi , where the back side of the red fort faces the
river. Although the development has come about along the river, the river has never been integrated
with the urban fabric. The situation today is that the Yamuna defines two edges of the city and its vast
potential lies utilized.
YAMUNA RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT
Most major cities of the world are located along a navigable body of water. Waterfronts have been used
for a variety of functions ranging from ports to traffic corridors to recreation and sacred sites. The urban
waterfront has always been admired from their aesthetics that makes for good entertainment and social
interaction. Therefore, the need for a developed riverfront as in case of Delhi is imperative.
Delhi is growing at a fast rate. The uncontrolled and unplanned growth has soared the land values and
increased pressures on land. The development of the river front would release almost 8000 hectares of
prime land , where reprogramming of functions can happen. This provides opportunity beyond par to
solve the problems created by unplanned growth and to provide better facilities to the people.
Intent of the Master plan for Delhi 2021:
River Yamuna is to be made pollution free through various measures. On the banks, large recreation
areas to be developed and to be integrated with other urban development’s so that the river gets KNIT
back with the fabric of the city.
YAMUNA FACT SHEET
Length in Delhi : 50 km , with 50 % north of Wazirabad barrage and balance in the south .
Width : 1.5 to 3 km
Quality of water: ‘A’ in the north of Wazirabad barrage and ‘E’ (not fit even for animal
Consumption)in the south of the barrage.
Area of river bed: 97 sq.km/9700 ha.
Area under water: 16.45 sq.km / 1645 ha.
Area under dry land: 80.55 sq.km/8053 ha.
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No. of major drains: 17
Largest drain: Najafgarh drain with 38 urban drains and 4 rural drains
-The following photographs show how this river is getting lost, and also the process of activities that are
now trying to revive it.
-A view of river showing the surrounding flood lands.
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Such activities located on the banks of the river have to be removed from here for respite.
METHODOLOGY
Keeping in view the various contrasting features , we find within the site –vast stretches of wetlands and
agricultural fields existing side by side with the built , unauthorized colonies and slums located alongside
planned residential zones, and several other characteristic features. The site was studied under the
following aspects.
- Layout plan: This plans gives an overview of the entire stretch .
- Movement structure: Major roads networks and connectors are identified at the overall study area and
zone levels.
- Land use : Identification of pockets of various types of land use.
- Open spaces system: Highlighting the major open spaces, green areas and formulating the relation
between the built and the inbuilt.
- Landscape and Yamuna river basin: Defining the river edge and identifying the various types of
landscapes highlighting the present river condition.
- Urban form : Discussing the urban fabric in terms of the plan form and the existing building heights.
- Image components: Identification of various character zones existing, the zonal level and at the site
level.
- Services: Discussing the various service networks, which serve the various zones and the entire site.
- Administrative Zones: Identifying the jurisdictional controls of various authorities on site.
- Ownership Pattern: Identifying the various land owning agencies at the site and zonal level.
- Land Status: recognizing the land resume on site in terms of authorization , acquisition and disputes.
- Demographic pattern: Identification of various pockets of population densities and their social and
economic status.
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- Heritage precincts: identification of the heritage properties along the banks of river.
- Future proposals: Highlighting the various proposals and developmental plans proposed by various
concerned authorities for the development of different zones.
4.2 TRANSFORMATION OF RIVER YAMUNA
Till 1850
-Walled city like Shahjahanabd, Salimgarh Fort, Purana Quila, Humayaun’s Tomb, Civil Lines, Metcafe, etc
-Expansion of European influence
-Cantonment of Darya Ganj built south of red fort
-Military colony established.
1850 – 1900
-Elign road (Netaji Subhash Marg) linked Faiz bazaar to Chandni Chowk
-Carried automated transport
-Firoz Shah Kotla built
-Densification of Shahjahanabd
-Chandni Chowk became the major street connecting the Red fort to Shahjahanabd
1900- 1920
-Reclamation of land, east of cantonment
-Cultivation of land
-Setup of irrigation plant
-Various villages (Timarpur, Goplapur came up around Shahjahanabd)
-Introduction of railways, old Delhi railway station built
-Indraprastha University came up
1920 – 1950
Under colonial rule land towards north and east of river Yamuna was mostly cultivated fields, grazing
grounds and dairy farms.
After independence, major development started towards north and west of Yamuna River. Land mostly
owned by zamindars and they sold the land to immigrants coming from U.P. and Bihar
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-Agricultural land was divided into plots
-Small settlements like Wazirababd, Golapur, Ghond lee village, Purana Usmanpur came up
1950 – 1970
- On the east bank ,extension and expansion of villages
- Due to frequent flooding of Yamuna, Purana Usmanpur village shifted to other side of the embankment
- Geeta colony was formed by the refuges from Pakistan and west Punjab
- Jheel Khurenja was formed for the relocated workers of dairy farm
- Parts of Salimpur started developing, as a predominantly Muslim area along with Zaffrabad
- Other colonies like Gandhi Nagar, and parts of Kailash Nagar came up
- Floodplains were mostly used for cultivation, agriculture and grazing
-On the west bank,Sunlight colony, Sidharth Nagar, ISBT, WHO, Vikas Minar, Indraprastha Bhavan, Pragati
Maidan, and DTC bus depot came up
-Creation of present NH 2 and Samadhis
-Setup of institutional and government buildings near ITO
1970 -1990
-On east bank, allotment of house building societies led to speculative development of Pandav Nagar
-Major population in the area happened after 1977 due to which a lot of unauthorised construction of
colonies like – Lakshmi Nagar
-Development and encroachment of land started and all the agricultural land was converted into
residential land (Bhajanpura, Jai Prakash Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Sonia Vihar, etc.)
-Settlement started from Preet Vihar and extended up to Shakarpur
-Most of the houses were only G and G+1
-On the west bank, development had almost stopped along the west bank los Yamuna as the whole area
was fully developed
-Crafts museum, pontoon bridge, JJ clusters, IG stadium and many factories came along the floodplains.
1990 - Present
-Encroachment of buffer areas interfering with the right of way of the railway line ,UP link road and NH-
24
-Development of slums on floor plains
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-Nizamuddin Bridge came up in 1994
-ITO Bridge came up in 2000
-Settlement became dense, which led to improper function of the area
-Last 15 years, government gave permission to go up to G+3
-At present the whole area of Laxmi Nagar ,Shastri Park, and Geeta colony lacks any breathing space with
a very few open spaces. Most unauthorised constructions have taken place
-Commercial boom on the Vikas Marg due to introduction of direct connection with city ITO Bridge
-Commercialisation of secondary and tertiary roads
-Bldg ht. up to G+4 , conversion of small plots into one appt. Per floor residence , commercial on ground ,
storage or parking in the basement.
-Encroachment of buffer area with the right of way of the Line. U.P. link road and NH 24
-Development of slums on flood plains
-Millennium Park, Noida Toll Bridge, Kali Basti, Nangli Machi, etc.
4.3 LAND USE
The land use pattern shows much contrast along the two banks of river Yamuna. While the west bank
shows a clear – cut differentiation in allocation of land usage, with only pocket variation; the east bank
projects an overall mixed land use in most areas.
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Tracing down the east bank , north & south – a dense residential organic structure is observed which
gradually mingles with mixed use development ( residential – commercial ) along the edges of the
primary and secondary roads with few penetrating into the tertiary roads. The mixed character is
observed maximum in the stretch that lies between ISBT and ITO Bridge, which serves a hub for
wholesale retail. Further down south, a relatively clear system of segregation of functions can be seen,
with the introduction of concentrated green areas, institutions, etc. Also, the mixed character is reduced
to interior tertiary segments while commercial retail takes over the main streets. The character however
does not inscribe within it, small pockets like Shakaur Pur village.
The west bank maintains similarity in character of land use with the east bank only in the northern most
stretch, which is primarily residential. An overall dispersion of institutional area can be seen with
maximum concentration of the use in and around civil lines. Important monuments like, Lal Quila, Jama
Masjid, Humayaun’s Tomb, either about the commercial areas, or recreational spaces. Concentrated
recreation areas like Raj Ghat and Vijay Ghat presently stand underutilised because of the passive
activities they are currently used for. However such recreational spaces do not exist in isolation but along
with pockets of residential, with mixed use, like in the case of Daryaganj and Sarai Kale Khan.
4.4 LANDSCAPE
The character of the river basin changes from one stretch to other. The course defined by the river
changes about the flood plains and also its interaction with the settlement around. The response of the
settlement to the river is minimal and not proportional to the proximity to the river edge. With a lot of
untreated sewage disposed into the river through the open drains, the quality of river is degrading. The
traverse connections and Pantoon bridges are very weak and don’t offer an incentive to channelize
movement towards the river.
34
The connection with the river is also broken due to segregation of the settlement by fast moving
movement corridors in the form of Pushtas and bunds. These impermeable layers separate the activities
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of the people from the river. The settlement has developed with minimal response towards the water
channel.
The forest cover at many places along the flood plains has also decreased phenomenally further
worsening the conditions. The reduction in the flow of the river due to introduction of the barrages has
slowed down the process of natural cleansing of the river accelerating its degradation.
The areas along the movement corridors connecting both the banks like ISBT, ITO have induced growth of
slums along. These dense illegal settlements are hard to disturb once they have settled and they lack the
basic infrastructural facilities.
4.5 URBAN FORM
35
Standing on the top of the twenty story high Vikas Minar at ITO , which is one of the tallest buildings
present in the stretch , a un interrupted skyline with a few protruding high rise- which seem to out very
predominantly among the hierarchy of low and medium height buildings.
Such a variation of roofs cape is on account of the planned straterigies of growth , which were applied in
areas along the old unplanned, low rise traditional settlements that already existed along the stretch
before 1962 when the first master plan for Delhi came into existence. Hence resulted in a blend of
planned colonies and apartments with certain high rise and so called the urban villages , along with the
unauthorised with certain high rises not only seem to reflect a better quality of life but also help in
breaking the monotony which would have otherwise existed the stretch due to similar heights an d form.
The main low rise areas existing are –
Sunder Nagar, Timarpur and Civil Lines having a planned growth
Bhajanpura, Pandav Nagar and Nizamuddin east having an unplanned development.
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The main medium rise buildings spread over the stretch are
-Geeta colony, Shahjahanabd, Laxmi Nagar and Shakarpur
The main areas having high rise buildings are
-Mayor Dhwaj and Sursarinigni apartments in Geeta Colony, DMRC stations, Jama Masjid, WHO , IG
indoor stadium, Vikas Minar, CSIR apartments.
4.6 IMAGE COMPONENTS
Edges36
Districts37
Nodes38
Landmarks39
4.7 SERVICES
The primary services mapped and studied on the site are :
Electricity supply
The provision of electricity within the site is through BSES in some areas and through NDPL in the other
areas. This provision is limited to authorised colonies, like Shahjahanabd, Civil Lines, Gandhi Nagar, IP
Estate, Laxmi Nagar, etc. The unauthorised colonies take electricity illegally. There is no regularised plan
for proper electricity distribution fort these unauthorised areas.
Sewage
Sen Nursing home, coronation pillar and Kondli sewage treatment plant have provided provision for
sewage disposal for authorised colonies. Sewage from these authorised colonies is taken and treated at
STP. Unauthorised areas have no proper sewage infrastructure. In spite of the civic amenities provide ,
they provide to be inadequate. Sewage from these areas is dumped into open drains, which transmit it
into the Yamuna adding to further deterioration of the river with untreated waste.
36 linear elements that are not used as channels of movement. These include embankments, nallas, dense plantations, etc. 37
areas of the stretch having a recognizable common character. These could be based on the built fabric, the presence of a major landmark in
the vicinity, similar functions, etc. 38 these are areas of concentrated activity. Due to the large area of the stretch nodes have been further differentiated into ci ty level nodes and
zone level nodes based on their importance. While city level nodes include transport hubs and major traffic intersections, zone level nodes can be bus stop , rickshaw , etc. 39 these are points of reference used to orient oneself in the city . due to the large area of the stretch landmarks have been further differentiated
into city level landmarks and zone level landmarks.
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Water supply
The provision of water for the authorised colonies within the site is through Delhi Jal Board (DJB). The
waste from Yamuna and ranny wells is treated at Chanderwal Water Works and Wazirabad water
treatment plant and Okhla water works respectively and from there it is pumped through tube wells.
However there are also hand pumps in some residential areas. For unauthorised areas the provision of
water is through water tanks, which are filled by Delhi Jal Board.
4.8 ADMINISTRATIVE ZONES
Along the river Yamuna the flood plains come under the administration of DDA. The east bank is majorly
under MCD. Along the west bank a number of authorities come into action. There are certain areas such
as RED FORT, HUMAYAUNS TMB, and certain other areas in Shahjahanabd, which also come under the
administration of ASI because of the historic value and are also a source of tourism to this area. It is
observed that the water beyond the Wazirababd Birage is clean. This area comes under Haryana irrigation
department.
4.9 OWNERSHIP PATTERN
The flood plain along the river Yamuna is owned by the government authorities. On both the sides of the
river, residential areas are privately owned. Areas like RED FORT, HUMAYAUN’S TOMB, certain areas of
Shahjahanabad are owned by the central government. Also the old secretariat and Metcafe house are
owned by the central govt. Small pockets of area like the Chanderwal waterworks is owned by the state
government. Also areas where there is metro construction going on and some residential developments
are owned by the state government.
4.10 LAND STATUS
Authorised land
-Land which is under some authority
-To permit with official sanction as per the planned provisions of the area
-To confer authority
Unauthorised land
-Any planned development seems to be lacking in this sort of building. Activity place in the city
has been violated by springing up of colonies.
-Violating the area demarcated for other uses in the master plan of the area.
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Unauthorised regularised
Any such illegal development that has taken place and has survived for a long time, is then regularised or
taken over by some competent authority such as the DDA or the MCD or any other. The authority that
takes over, then becomes responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure.
Major proportion of the east bank including areas like Gandhi Nagar, Seelampur, Shastri Park,
Brahmapuri, Jagjeet Nagar, Kartar Nagar, Shakarpur ext. , Pandav Nagar, and certain pockets of Chandni
Chowk.
Unauthorised not regularised-
Any unauthorised construction, which is not approved by the authority or that is waiting to get approval
Subhash Mohalla, Tibetan Colony, Gautam Puri, Shastri Nagar and Laxmi Nagar built upland in Wazirabad,
Ganesh Nagar are colonies which are still waiting to get regularised. However it is not possible to
eradicate these settlements now. Only precaution taken is that, any new construction has to first get
approved without which it is turned down.
40
4.11 DISPUTED LAND
To doubt the validity, i.e. a land which is argued upon or debated upon.
A small portion of the land in Ganesh Nagar and Shakarpur Khas adjacent to the main road is disputed.
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ACQUIRED LAND
Any land which is under private owner ship or under some competent authority and is taken over by
some other authority
Usmanpur and area next to Timarpur was acquired by the authority
ON LEASE
Any land which is given for use for a given period of time by the govt., or any other authority w.r.t. some
minimal payment paid by the leaseholders.
The land in the flood plain is mainly agrarian and is leased out to the farmers with a yearly rental sum of
Rs 6/bheega.
Also the land utilised for Pragati Maidan, Gandhi museum is leased out on an yearly bases rental.
4.12 LAND VALUE
Prices to various commercial properties vary according to the following factors:-
Size of shop
Location and accessibility
Demand for independent property
Catchment area it serves
Residential property in commercial areas are priced according to the commercial rates
like those in Gandhi Nagar, Kailash Nagar , Shastri Park , etc.
Prices for residential properties vary due to following factors:-
Size of plot
Usability of the plot
Living conditions of the surrounding areas
Width of the street across the road
Planned colonies are sometimes rated higher
Provision of infrastructure
Major portions of the land in Wazirabad is rated below 5000 Rs/sq. Yard which is due to lack of
infrastructure facilities available in the area and also owing to the disputed character of the area.
There are pockets of highly underutilised land in and around Kashmere gate for which there is no demand
and these properties are either locked up or are used as stores , which is why the area has a low land
value.
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Nigambodh Ghat has been evaluated for its commercial land value but due to lack of other such activity,
has a low land value
Sarai kale-khan again being an unplanned area has low land value
Large areas of land lying in the stretch from ISBT to Wazirababad including areas like Shastri park,
Brahmapuri , Gonad Patti, Jagjeet Nagar on the east and Arjun Nagar, Tibetan Colony on the west have
values ranging Rs 5000 to 15000/sq. Yard. Since the colonies initially settled as unauthorised construction
and were later regularised by the govt, these have no basis of planning or definite size of plot. The area is
now in the process of being provided with the basic infrastructural facilities such as those of electricity,
sewage, water supply but the process will take time.
Though the land is at one of the prime locations of Delhi but the living conditions are very poor and so
defining the land value.
However land along the primary roads where residences can be used for commercial purposes have been
rated higher. Commercial area along major roads has greater value than interior areas. Also areas like
Yamuna Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Pandav Nagar, etc. which are planned settlements again are of higher land
value. There are certain pockets of empty land that are under DDA which are again rated higher.
Land value of places of national interest (historical monuments) such as Red Fort, Humayaun’s Tomb,
Vijay Ghat, Majnu Ka Tila, etc. Zoological park cannot be evaluated.
Then there areas like Pragati Maidan, which have been given on lease.
Colonies like Sunder Nagar, Nizamuddin east on the west bank and commercial colonies of areas adjacent
to Gandhi Nagar have land values as high as one lakh/sq. Yard.
As an overall observation , one can say that major chunk of land on the east bank lies within a range of
5000- 50000 Rs. / sq. yard while that on the west bank has a number of places of national interest whose
value is said to be undefined.
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4.13 DEMOGRPAHY AND POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
41
The demographic pattern of the study area was classified under the following categories
Very densely populated – above 650 dwelling units per hectare
Densely populated – 500 – 650 dwelling units per hectare
Moderately populated – 240 – 500 dwelling units per hectare
Sparsely populated - 120 – 240 dwelling units per hectare
Very sparsely populated – below 120 dwelling units per hectare
Apart for the above the user densities experienced by most of the areas where there is regular inflow of
floating population have also been studied under the following units.
User density high – more than 1000 people per day per hectare
User density low – less than 1000 people per day per hectare
There is a stark contrast in the demographic pattern between the east and the west bank. The west bank
has large zones of areas with regular inflow of people on a daily basis like Humayaun’s tomb, red fort,
Purana Quila, IG stadium , etc.
In the residential areas on the west the density generally varies from moderately populated to very
sparsely populated areas.
Among very densely populated areas are Kashmere Gate, Arun Nagar, Nehru Vihar, etc. Nizamuddin
east, Jangpura and sunder Nagar are the most sparsely populated areas owning to their high land values.
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4.14 HERITAGE PRECINTS
The settlement started in the 13th century on the east bank of the river Yamuna. This was the tie when
Yamuna is very close to the heritage buildings and people do farming on the banks of the river Yamuna.
The major historical buildings like Shah Alam Tomb, Feroz – Shah Kotla started building up in the 13th
century. Then in 15th century walled city and Purana Quila came. Time after time city was frequently
growing and the buildings like Red Fort, Majnu Ka Tila, and Khooni Darwaza were built up in 16th century.
As Delhi became the major hub for business in the 21st century people started migrating from different
cities and started settlement along the river Yamuna and nearby places of historical monuments.
According to MPD area up to 100 meter from protected limits of monuments is declared as prohibited
area for any construction activity, beyond it up to 200 meters, near or adjoining protected monuments as
regulated area in which construction can be allowed only after getting permission from ASI.
4.15 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PAST 5 YRS
-Widening of Pusta Road and phase 2 metro corridor
-Development of the 40 hectare site for commonwealth village linked by the Pushta Road next to
Akshardham temple (20 hectare)
-Development of the UP Link Road and the Paharganj Road.
-Along the west bank the major proposals included Indraprastha power plant, the sewage treatment
plant in Wazirabad, widening of NH 24.
PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT ALONG BANKS OF RIVER YAMUNA
To rectify this, the DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (D.D.A) and the NEW DELHI MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION ( N.D.M.C.) can initiate a process of development for Yamuna riverfront as a positive
public space. Action plans to achieve this through the reclamation of the 8000 Ha. of land from the
Yamuna riverbed. This land will be available after a stretch of the river is channelled.
-Out of the reclaimed area, 6250 Ha. would be used for recreational purposes.
-Part of the reclaimed area of the river bed , if required, can be used for decongestion of the walled city
,due to its nearness and sustainability.
-Part of the reclaimed area can be used for location of large institutions of national character, like the
museum of science and technology, academy of arts and culture, etc.
-The waterways can also be encouraged to provide easy travel across the river by boats and ferries.
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-River traffic can also be merged as a means of accessing facilities on or near the riverfront. Pedestrian
movement along the riverfront can be encouraged.
-Once the area along the riverfront becomes prime land for development, the possibility of
encroachments and unauthorised growth would reduce drastically.
-Planned location of commercial activities, along the riverfront could improve the economy of the city
as well as its development. Facilities like science parks, amusement parks, etc. If sited here would be a
self financing and even foot the bill of the channelization of this project.
In activating a recreational space, the factors looked at are –
-Scale of the space i.e. city or local level recreational catering space.
Thus the recreational space can work at two levels –
1. As an active hub to serve needs of the city.
2. As having passive zone for the residents around.
OBSERVATIONS
- There is a lack of recreational spaces on the east bank.
- There exists a concentration of recreational spaces in this zone which are underutilized and can
be put to better use.
- Almost all recreational spaces in this zone are underutilized and can be put to better use.
- There is lack of integration of the large recreational spaces.
INFERENCE
- Residential spaces which can be used to activate recreational spaces are isolated from it and can
be connected by improving transportation systems.
- There is a need to partially decentralize the recreational area by providing recreation zones along
the east bank which will be graded and will cater to the socio-economic class that they are in
proximity to .thus recreational belt can be used to integrate the classes but at the same time
provide each class with the kind of spaces it needs.
- Smaller scale transit systems need to be established in the existing fabric to integrate recreational
spaces.
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CHAPTER 5- INFERENCES
Vacant land is an inherent part of city’s fabric. As cities constantly grow and transform the
appearance of urban vacant land also changes. Its is an elastic subject and is totally dependant
on context.
Government bodies like DDA and NDMC can act as a major agency in using the vacant urban
lands
The main features for which areas like F-zone are known is its green character, presence of vast
open spaces and historical monuments, and through the study, it has been noticed that the
presence of these vacant land is in or around these areas.
Both at macro and detail level, the vacant land is formed at the urban margins, the only
difference being the scale of the area. At the macro level, these are in the form of ill-maintained
large green areas and the area around historical monuments, and at the detail level they existed
as transitional zones between different fabrics.
In the case of detail level, these spaces exist around historical settlements whereas in case of
modern planned areas inspite of time difference in the construction of the fabric the areas are
not left and have been used to integrate different fabrics.
The above analysis also highlights the lack of planning policies. 95% of the vacant land in zone
falls under the DDA.
Reality shows that people are the ones to make green areas successes or failure by the use of
them. People do not use the open space because planners wish they would. Planners treat the
open space in the tools of zoning, numbers and shapes but the most important issue which is not
treated in the relationship between the city and the green.
The existence of the green space is not sufficient for its value. As it is often seen, unused, not
well maintained open space can drastically degrade the value of the surrounding fabric.
Linkages to the open space are essential in order to provide for connecting it with the fabric
around it. But more than the quality of linkage is important.
Vacant land need not to be looked at with negative perspective. They provide an opportunity to
heal the city’s fabric. Re-integration of vacant land should be done keeping the larger context of
the city in mind, in such a way as to bind the fragments surrounding it.
Role of Density in Urbanization & the need to utilise vacant land parcels in the National Capital Territory
2012
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CHAPTER 6- BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kostof , Spiro and Richard Tobias, The City Shaped. New York: Bulfinch publisher, 1993
Kilde, Daniel T., ”Rethinking Urban Land” , Genesee County
http://www.thelandbank.org/downloads/genesse _county_treasure1.pdf (accesses March
20,2008)
Bowman, Ann O’M. And Michael A.Pagano, Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban strategies,
Washington: Georgetown University Press
Ostler, George, The little Oxford Dictionary, edited by Maurice Waite. Oxford : Oxford University
Press, 1998
Barnett, Jonathan, Urban design as public policy. Architectural Record Books, 1974