Chandigarh's Future at Risk: Architects Warn of Master Plan Changes

Chandigarh's master plan, originally designed by Le Corbusier, is facing potential amendments that have raised alarms among urban planners and architects. The proposed changes, including high-rise buildings and increased Floor Area Ratios (FARs), are seen as a threat to the city's infrastructure and unique identity.

Architects argue that instead of internal densification, a regional planning approach is needed to manage urban growth. They highlight that Chandigarh's infrastructure is already strained and cannot support vertical expansion without significant upgrades. Concerns have also been raised about seismic risks associated with new construction.

Experts stress that any changes must be evidence-led, not market-driven, and require rigorous reassessment of the city's capacity to handle increased density. They advocate for a binding Interstate Regional Planning framework to distribute growth across the Tricity region, comprising Mohali, Panchkula, and Zirakpur.

While acknowledging the inevitability of some vertical growth due to market demands, former chief architect Kapil Setia advocates a systematic, infrastructure-focused transition. He also points to the need for comprehensive carrying-capacity assessments before approving increases in FAR or building heights.

The debate centers on whether Chandigarh will evolve into a heritage-sensitive model of high-density urbanism or succumb to the congestion and disorder seen in neighboring cities like Gurgaon and Zirakpur.