The capital city of Delhi has been witnessing unprecedented growth of population ever since Independence (from 17.4 lakh in 1951 to 138.5 lakh in 2001). With the area remaining static (at 1,487 sq kms), the need for systematic planning has assumed increasing importance and urgency.
The process of planning in Delhi was started ?to check the haphazard and unplanned growth of Delhi, following the Partition of the country and the phenomenal growth of the city'spopulation, with sprawling residential colonies without proper layouts and without conveniences of life and to guide the growth of the city, the Central Government set up the Delhi Development (Provisional) Authority.?
The aim of the Master Plan 2021 for Delhi is to reorganise the urban forces and patterns again so that Delhi becomes a more liveable city. It seems that the objective of this publication is to promote understanding and participation of the residents of Delhi in constructive implementation of the planning process. As we already know, planning is a dynamic process that demands continuous fine-tuning to suit the emerging needs and attitudes; to remedy what hurts the people; to draw lessons from the past; and to anticipate the needs and aspirations of the people in times to come.
This book by administrator-scholar-author with intimate knowledge of Delhi and experience in urban planning, aims to convey that Delhi, with its various forms of socio-economic and political life, a symbol of ancient values and aspirations, and capital of the largest democracy, is assuming increasing eminence among the great cities of the world.
Apart from critical issues such as land, physical infrastructure, transport, ecology and environment, housing and other institutional facilities, the cornerstone for making Delhi a world-class city is the planning process itself and related aspects of governance and management.
(Rupa & Co.,7/16 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002.)
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