Mahajan, Manu
Master planned mixed-use:lessons form Delhi - Vol. 5(2), September - Mumbai Mahatma Education Society 2018 - 8-19
Traditional Indian cites were mix-use developments, with finely juxtaposed street-based living, production and trading. In contrast, cities in the West formulated mix-use policies in 1960s to deliver vibrant and compact urban areas.
In India, the modern planning movement completely ignored mixed-use and city master-plans propagated strict land-use zoning regulations. Nevertheless, mixed-use activities proliferated even in strict land-use zones, as people and markets responded to the absence/separation of vital and interdependent uses. Only recently have the master-plans of Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai etc., introduced provisions for mixed-use.
This paper discusses the impact of mixed-use in Delhi, where despite its well-intentioned insertion, it has become a threat as a ‘planned’ element. It has caused externalities such as privatization of erstwhile public space, unsafe pedestrian environment, degenerated residential quality, and infrastructure deficiencies. The paper examines these impacts and attempts to understand mixed-use as a design tool in the Indian context to inform relevant policies.
URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN (AR-UPD)
Master planned mixed-use:lessons form Delhi - Vol. 5(2), September - Mumbai Mahatma Education Society 2018 - 8-19
Traditional Indian cites were mix-use developments, with finely juxtaposed street-based living, production and trading. In contrast, cities in the West formulated mix-use policies in 1960s to deliver vibrant and compact urban areas.
In India, the modern planning movement completely ignored mixed-use and city master-plans propagated strict land-use zoning regulations. Nevertheless, mixed-use activities proliferated even in strict land-use zones, as people and markets responded to the absence/separation of vital and interdependent uses. Only recently have the master-plans of Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai etc., introduced provisions for mixed-use.
This paper discusses the impact of mixed-use in Delhi, where despite its well-intentioned insertion, it has become a threat as a ‘planned’ element. It has caused externalities such as privatization of erstwhile public space, unsafe pedestrian environment, degenerated residential quality, and infrastructure deficiencies. The paper examines these impacts and attempts to understand mixed-use as a design tool in the Indian context to inform relevant policies.
URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN (AR-UPD)