1. Introduction a.) b.) c.) d.)
Chandigarh got its name to the temple of a Hindu goddess Chandi. It is the first planned city of Independent India. The City owes its existence to Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is a bold experiment in architecture and town planning and serves as an inspiration to several other future developments.
2. Site a.) Located 260 kms of north of Delhi b.) Sub-mountainous region c.) Shivaliks at the backdrop d.) Ideal gradient for drainage e.) Comprised mainly a farmland with mango groves and 24 villages f.) It is bound by two seasonal rivulets- the Patiali ki Rao and the Sukhna Choe in north-west and south-east sides respectively. 3. CLIMATE a.) Chandigarh falls under Koeppen‟s Cwg category i.e. it has cold dry winder, hot summer and sub-tropical monsoon. b.) Evaporation usually exceeds precipitation and the weather is generally dry. c.) The area experiences four seasons: Summer or hot season (mid- March to Mid-June) (ii) Rainy season (late-June to mid-September); (iii) Post monsoon autumn/transition season (mid-September to MidNovember); (iv) Winter (mid-November to mid-March).
4. Team Of Architects a.) Albert Mayer, an American planner and Mathew Nowicki, a polish architect were invited to design the Capital. b.) They prepared their first plan in 1949. c.) Unfortunately, Nowicki died in a plane crash.Hence, Mayer left the project. d.) A new team was formed in November 1950-Paris based Swiss architect Le Corbusier( Chief architect), his cousin Pierre Jeanerette; a British couple, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew.
Le corbusier
Pierre jeanneret
Maxwell fry and Jane drew
5. Mayer and Nowicki plan for population 500,000
A system of low-density neighborhoods defined by a grid of roads. Slightly curved roads following the contours of the site to avoid monotony of straight roads. The capitol complex sited at the northern end of the city, the city centre literally in the centre and the industrial sector in the east. Two natural valleys on site to be developed as park strips. Housing unit (500m by 1000m) consisting of three blocks with housing, schools, shopping centers. Three types of housing for low, middle and high income groups were planned around a central green space.
Nowicki also conceived of another schematic plan of his own based on the organi form of leaf. The stem of the leaf was compared with a commercial axis, which cuts through the centre of the city. Traffic arteries would branch out from this stem.
6. Chandigarh: An Inspiration From Jaipur a.) Jaipur is the first planned city of India b.) Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II. c.) It has been laid according to the conventional nine-grid pattern that astrologers believe to be lucky d.) Each grid consists of a square e.) The heart of the city is the City Palace and around it are public buildings, the residences of noblemen, the living and trading quarters of merchants and artisans. f.) Straight, wide roads run through the city g.) A high wall forms its defense fortification with seven entry gateways
Grid iron pattern plan of Jaipur
7. Designing Concept: Town as a Living Being The master plan was conceived as an analogous to human body: a.) b.) c.) d.) e.) f.)
Head: The Capitol Complex, Sector 1 Heart: The city Centre, Sector 17 Lungs: The leisure valley, innumerable open spaces and sector greens The intellect: The cultural and educational institutions The circulatory system: The network of roads, the 7 Vs The viscera: The industrial Area
8. The concept of the city is based on four major functions: A.) Living: Residential sector B.) Working: whereas the Capitol Complex, City Center, Educational Zone and the Industrial Area, C.) Care of the body and spirit: The Leisure Valley, Gardens, Sector Greens and Open Courtyards etc. D.) Circulation: Roads- 7 Vs.
9. Capital complex Comprises three architectural masterpieces separated by large piazzas – a.) The secretariat b.) The High Court c.) The Assembly Hall
10. The Secretariat : Completed in 1958. The longest building in Chandigarh, 254m long, and 42m high Forms the Administrative center Ministerial offices grouped in the central pavilion; block 4 and offices for employees arranged on either side. Composed of six eight story blocks separated by expansion joints. The façade with brise soleil has over 2000 units of unique design. Roads are below ground level going to a large parking area in front of the central block, and a floor is left open at this level to form an entrance hall. Block 1 and 2 rises directly from the ground; block 3,4 and part of 5 face on the excavated area of the parking lot and have the lower story open between pilots, for the rest part of block 5 and whole of 6 the level goes till plaza height, and lower portion of these blocks are left open to a height of two story. Roof garden contains the service blocks and cafeteria for employees. Horizontal circulation is by means of central corridors.
11. The High Court Rectilinear in frame with defined interior functions. The main façade facing North West is defined by a full height concrete brise soleil and does not receive direct sunlight. Long façade face the capitol plaza to contain 8 court rooms separated from larger high court by monumental columned entrance. Use of double roof with the upper roof cantilevered out in a manner of parasol shading the lower roof. The space between the two roofs is left open to enable currents of air . Main vertical circulation- narrow curving ramp at the end of the entrance hall. Main horizontal circulation- peon corridors on the rear façade.
12. The Legislative Assembly Rectilinear structure with square plan The portico and the office block on lateral façade are be defined by solid end walls. The small council chamber is in rectilinear frame. The assembly chamber is in hyperbolic form of a cooling tower of thichness 15cms; 128 ft diameter base and 124 ft height. This tower was designed to insure the natural light, ventilation and proper acoustics of all buildings of the capitol complex.
13. City Center (Sector 17): It comprises ofa.) Heart of Chandigarh’s activities. b.) Comprises of -Inter- State Bus Terminus, Parade Ground, District Courts, etc. on one hand, and vast business and shopping centre on the other. c.) Mainly has 4-storey buildings with banks and offices above and showrooms/shops at the ground level with wide pedestrian concourses. d.) Sector 34 is another newly developed commercial sector.
14. Leisure Valley a.) 8 Kms long linear-park b.) Runs through the city from its north eastern tip to its south-western end. c.) 26 different types of flowering and 22 species of evergreen trees planted in complexes, residential areas and city parks. Comprises of the a.) Rose Garden, b.) Bougainvillea Garden, c.) Shanti Kunj, d.) Fitness Track, e.) Topiary Park, f.) Terrace Garden, g.) Hibiscus Garden, h.) Garden of Fragrance, i.) Garden of Annuals, j.) Garden of Herbs & Shrubs, k.) Champa Park, l.) Botanical Garden, etc.
15. Educational Zone – a. Post Graduate Institute, b. Punjab Engineering College, c. Punjab University
16. The Concept of 7Vs a.) Vertical roads runs northeast/ southwest (The ‘Paths’) b.) Horizontal roads run northwest/southeast (‘The Margs’) c.) They intersect at right angles, forming a grid of network for movement. d.) Remarkable hierarchy of movement.
Type or Roads Functions/Names
V-1: Roads connecting Chandigarh with other cities. Ex. Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg.
V-2: Major avenues of Chandigarh. Runs along with important institutional and commercial . Ex.Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg, Jan Marg, Himalaya Marg, Uttar Marg and Purv Marg.
V-3: They are the corridor- streets for fast moving vehicular traffic. A sector is surrounded either by V-2 of V-3 roads.
V-4: Roads bisecting the Sector with shopping complex located along their southern edge.
V-5: Roads meandering through the sector giving access to its inner lands.
V-6: Roads coming off of the V-5s and leading to the residential houses.
V-7: Roads for pedestrian movement. Runs through the middle of the sector in the green areas. Ex.- Roads along Jan Marg, in the Punjab University & Sector-15.
V-8: They are intended to run parallel with V-7s for the bi-cycles.
17. The industrial area: a.) b.) c.) d.) e.) f.) g.) h.)
Area- 2.35 Sq. Kms, Set in extreme south-eastern side of the city In proximity to railway line Far from the Educational Sectors and Capitol Complex 136 hectares was developed in the first phase Directly connected to the civic center by a V-3 road Fruit trees are planted to screen off this area from the rest of the city. Architectural controls have been established regarding site coverage and materials of construction
i.) Maximum coverage up to 50 per cent is allowed with 2.5 per cent of the space permitted to be used as quarters for essential staff. j.) Sector 3, which is sufficiently close to the Industrial Sector, multi-storeyed buildings provide suitable tenements for the workers. k.) Besides Industrial housing is also provided in sector 28 and 29.
18. Sector wise planning
a.) b.) c.) d.) e.) f.)
g.)
h.) i.) j.)
k.) l.)
Each ‘sector’ is similar to the traditional Indian ‘Mohalla’. Area-250 acres Dimensions -800m by 1200m. Surrounded by V-2 or V3 roads, with no buildings opening on to them. Divided in four parts A,B,C,D by a V-4 road (east to west) and a V-5 road (north to South) However, sector 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 have no Sub sector and Sector 7 and 8 have only three parts A, B and C (This is because they are developed according to the concept proposed by the first planner of the City Albert Mayer, to give his concept some recognition.). In case of quadripartite Sector, the houses from 1 to 1000, 1001 to 2000 to 2001 to 3000 and 3000 to 4000 are located in Sub Sectors A, B, C and D in clockwise direction. Each sector is self- sufficient, with shopping and community facilities within reasonable waking distance. The sectors are numbered commencing from the northern most edge of the city with the highest numbers located at the southern edge. There is no sector 13 in Chandigarh, but the additional or multiple (e.g. Sec.2+Sec 11-13, Sec.11 + Sec.15=26, etc). Through it is generally believed that No.13 was left out due to superstition but records indicate that Sector 12 and 13 were demarcated initially as a cultural zone in the lower halves of Sector 10 and 11 but later removed to avoid confusion. However, later No.12 was assigned to residual area at the edge of Sector 11 but No.13 was left out in absence of an appropriate area for its location. Though educational, cultural and medical facilities are spread all over the city, however, major institutions are located in Sector 10,11,12,14 and 26. Besides Industrial housing is also provided in sector 28 and 29.
19.
a.) Most of the sectors in Chandigarh are primarily meant for residential purposes.
b.) The houses are constructed on pre-cut land plots of a specified size, and are sold to perspective house owners, depending on their financial capacity. c.) The houses in Chandigarh can be categorized into the following types: 1. The Single Storey Houses 2. The Double Storey Houses 3. The Multi Storey Houses 4. The Multi Storey Flat Houses
20.The Single Storey Houses a.) Constructed as bungalows b.) Owned by richer class of people c.) Spaces for a small garden, a kitchen garden, and a few fruit trees d.) Baked and bare bricks are utilized for constructions, with cement marble chips for flooring.
21.Double Storey Houses a.) Owned by upper middle class citizens. b.) Though functional and airy but have no space for any gardens c.) These houses have two bedrooms, about 12’x12’, one drawing cum dining room, 14’x23’, a kitchen and a bathroom, with a small courtyard. 22. Multi-storey Houses a.) Usually constructed in a small land plot b.) Belong to the lower middle income group. c.) Have two small rooms, with kitchen and a bath room.
23. Multi-storey Flat System a.) Constructed by the Chandigarh Administration in past decades b.) Consist of two bedrooms, about 11’x11’, drawing- dining 12’x18’, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. c.) Mostly four storyed flat systems are constructed d.) Normally middle class persons own such flats.
24. Preferred Construction Material a.) Use of local materials for construction purposes, whether for official building or private use. b.) Local sand, mortar, and baked bricks have been extensively used. c.) Excessive use of cement has been discouraged d.) Use of sheet glass for wide windows to let in primarily scattered or reflected light.
25. Chandigarh as an Inspiration As Doshi put it: “Young architect’s learnt from him how to look at function and structures…how to create space from elements.. to achieve a form in relation to the landscape around it..” (Curtis, 1988) The direct descendant of Chandigarh is Gandhinagar; the city is based in the same intellectual model as Chandigarh and on a similar rectangular grid iron plan but with the capitol complex at its heart not head. The architecture of Capitol complex is large scale and attempts to follow the pattern of Chandigarh buildings.
26.The Present scenario a.)DEMOGRAPHY The absence of an effective coordination mechanism, amongst
municipal, Chandigarh Housing Board and state level agencies has implications for orderly spatial development.
b.)POPULATION GROWTH IN THE CITY Chandigarh was planned for a finite population of half-a-million. However, Chandigarh has now grown beyond its planned capacity.
c.)VILLAGES & SLUM AREAS At present there are 18 villages namely and four villages under the control of the Municipal Corporation.
d.)BUILT FORM AND DESIGN GUIDELINES Corbusier focused his attention on the capitol complex, his celebration of monumental symbolism. It was left to the planning team to fill in the details in his icon of the master plan. In the process, an approach at the scale of urban design, which could create strong, identifiable neighbourhoods and thus would work on an intermediate level between the master plan and the actual buildings, was never made.
e.)COMMERCE With the increase of land prices, spaces assigned for residences and parking lots are being used for the extension of shops, storage and office space. Subsequently, service roads have been turned into parking spaces. The functionally rigid designed rows of shops have now become unpleasant public spaces. f.) Roads Chandigarh’s excessive provision of primary roads is arguably promoting personalized transport.
Plan showing Sewage System of Chandigarh
Plan showing Sewage System and Storm Water Drainage System for Chandigarh Town
27. Failures a.) Restrictive zoning laws ensure further population growth and commercial development can occur only outside the city. b.) Apparent over-scaled spaces. c.) Traffic jams and pollution are now a common feature. d.) Chandigarh has not developed as planned in some ways. Rigid zoning
for regulating human activity is a form of assumed social control that is difficult, if not impossible, to enforce e.) The Chandigarh plan failed to provide space for - the sweepers, the rickshawallas, the street vendors and the hawkers, the construction workers and the hired labour, without whom the city could not be run.
f.) There is a hierarchy in the city plan, which runs from north to south, in which the northern sectors are more privileged than the rest, with lesser densities, more infrastructure, and better upkeep. g.) There is no one to take a decision which will take years to realize due to poor management. h.) The speed at which the city is growing is swamping the master plan.
28. Conclusion The growth of Chandigarh has been phenomenal. In spite of all teething problems, the city has acquired a distinct personality in the last fi ve decades. 29. References Documenting Chandigarh – The Indian Architecture of Pierre Jeanneret, Edwin Maxwell Fry, Jane Beverly Drew by Kiran Joshi Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret – Footprints on Sands of Indian Architecture by Sarbjit Bagha and Surinder Bahga Building Jaipur; The Making Of an Indian City by Sachdev, Vibhuti
