Vidyadhar Nagar: Continuity and new opportunities for the future of Jaipur

Author(s): Balkrishna V. Doshi

Source: Ekistics , September/October-November/December 1994, Vol. 61, No. 368/369,
Heritage (September/October-November/December 1994), pp. 276-297
Published by: Athens Center of Ekistics

Stable URL: http://www.jstor.com/stable/43622347

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 Vidyadhar Nagar: Continuity and new
opportunities for the future of Jaipur

Balkrishna V. Doshi

The author, an architect-planner, is senior partner of Stein DoshiIntroduction

&
Bhalla, Ahmedabad, India. The text that follows is an edited version of
In 1985, the Jaipur City Development Authority appointed the
the report Vidyadhar Nagar, published by the Vastu-Shilpa Foundation
for Studies and Research in Environmental Design, Ahmedabad. A as their Principal Architect-Planner for the planning of a
author
presentation on the same subject was given by the author as a keynote
new city on the fringe of old Jaipur (figs. 1 and 2). Since
address at the World Society for Ekistics' International Symposion on
Independence, India has seen the development of several
Development and Conservation, Goa, India, December 1988, for which
whole new towns in the last 40 years but most of them are sited
the Convenor was Professor Madhav Deobhakta of the Department of
Ekistics and Research, Academy of Architecture, Bombay in vast open lands.
- the
Viewed thus, planning for a city of more than 1 00,000 persons
Regional Sponsors of the Conference - and the Organizing Secretary
was Mrs Meera Deobhakta, both of whom are members of the in the visible proximity of old Jaipur can certainly be regarded as
World
Society for Ekistics. a unique opportunity. This is because one is working in the

Fig. 1 : India, Rajasthan State, and Jaipur District in Rajasthan. Fig. 2: Jaipur city - Generalized existing land use, 1983.

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context of a planned town, almost three centuries old, marking
the culmination of city planning thinking and practices which can
be traced back to Indus Valley settlements 4,500 years ago.
Added to this was the challenge of incorporating the needs of
our own times and the future. Smokestacks which once symbol-
ized development and modernization are now seen as the root
of pollution. A constant increase in the per capita consumption
of water and electricity is now viewed as a resource problem
which also affects the ecological balance. Motorized traffic too is
now being viewed as wasteful of the resources, and roads as
noisy, dangerous lines that divide the very basis of a com-
munity's civic life in an urban center.
All such questions and concerns forced the author to take a
very hard look at the nature of the traditional and the con-
temporary city in India and its future. To that goal, the planning
team led by the author devoted a great deal of effort to studying Fig. 3: Whether planned or unplanned, traditional Indian cities are
the issues at all scales and sectors of planning. The studies characterized by narrow streets and well defined open spaces in a close-
greatly helped to shape the final proposals and make them knit compact urban form highly suitable for the climate and life style of an
introvert people.
responsive to many more aspects of city planning and archi-
tectural design.
The present paper, based on a document completed in
November 1989, brings together the major lessons from the
studies and relates them to the proposals for the new town. I numerous buildings, dense and compact, group together to form
believe that we have quite successfully established the a single solid mass, interrupted here and there by narrow,
relevance of some of the principles of traditional town planning to meandering streets and pockets of large and small open spaces,
contemporary and future urban needs in Indian contexts. amidst an expanse of roofs. When the tropical sun beats down
Through this paper I wish to share them with others in the field in on the city, its edifices quietly cast their shadows on the ground
order to generate a debate and a reconsideration of current city creating shade for people to perform their daily activity. This is
planning practices for a better, wholesome urban India. due to continuous additions to existing houses and a peculiar
aversion to very large open spaces. Scarce foliage and flat land
in such a built form is not mixed.
The historic Indian city A walk through the city, however, presents a different picture.
The medieval fort walls and ramparts appear solemn and
India has always been a land of great cities. Civilization in the
imposing but only momentarily. For once one crosses the city's
sub-continent is said to have had its highest institutional threshold, often a large gateway of stone and timber, one
expression in the cities, where all types of people met and its
encounters a beehive of activities. The large regular streets
"great tradition" was elaborated and refined. The Indian city has
merge with the narrow streets which wind through mohallas and
had many reasons for its existence: there were capitals, ports
at several points widen into chowks (squares), the largest open
and emporia, centers of handicraft production, pilgrim, temple
space formed by crisscross streets. These chowks and streets
and monastery cities, educational centers and garrison cities.
become settings for cockfights, storytelling, preaching and
Many had more than one function. Whereas cities like Bañaras
hookah-smoking; streets that are noisy markets full of hawkers,
and Patna have had a long continuous existence, many Indian
food stalls, etc. during the day and silent by night. In the Indian
towns were quickly set up or abandoned. Such settlements
city, it is the street and its contiguous spaces that have always
were prey to shifting courses of rivers, erratic rains and floods,
been the most important public urban spaces. The outside large
defunct harbors due to silting, whimsical rulers and countless
open space gradually merges with the house through verandahs
invasions and wars. The remains of many of such cities still
and thresholds. They are the heart of the settlement.
thrive with activities, and today a few of them have become part
Even when Indian towns first began to be "planned" a few
of the large cities.
centuries ago, it was often the layout of the street which regu-
Urban character lated the plan. It was the streets which ultimately decided what
the "shape" of the town was going to be. Only certain major axes
Nevertheless, when compared with contemporary urban settle- were marked out and the residual spaces were left unplanned to
ments of the world, the Indian city shows very specific be filled in according to a spontaneous social hierarchy (figs. 4, 5
and 6). In an organic settlement process like this, the function of
characteristics (fig. 3). A bird's eye view of the city is deceptive:

Figs. 4, 5, and 6: The hierarchy of streets in the traditional cities is best articulated at Jaipur - The major sector roads are marked by large gates, streets
full of informal and formal activities, followed by quieter streets in residential areas.

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the street was not merely one of "linking," but as spaces to be maybe even to an ancient water tank. For water is a sacred
developed as outdoor cultural institutions, the most important element and traditionally cities in India have almost always been
and widely used venue of social interaction. established near a source of water, be it a river, a village tank or
a step-well.
Streets If one had to describe the city, one only needs to talk of the
streets, open spaces and long covered or open linear spaces
Interaction between cultural institutions and the community or an
shielding private life and giving public life the major view.
individual is extremely vital for a civilization. Hence there is a
peculiar relationship between buildings and street; between the
Energy and the traditional Indian city
void and that which defines the void, be it a house or a shop.
The building usually gets extended onto the street, and the traditional Indian city has always been "energy-conscious."
The
public and the semi-private domains merge. The transitionThis may be partly attributed to the Vastu-Shastras, Hindu
between the two takes the form of the otta or platform, rendering treatises on architecture and planning, which strongly recom-
the plinth a very important element in Indian architecture. It is themend that settlements be in total harmony with nature. This calls
otta that sees business transactions, children's banter and smallfor man's recognition of the natural forces such as the need to
talk by the elderly. It is the otta that provides an ideal sleepingcreate shade for the hot afternoon sun, and terraces or
space in summer and a place to soak up the winter sun. Thecourtyards open to the sky for the early morning sun. This
platform sees many a passerby, for streets of the traditionalimplies a judicious use of the natural resources, and a built form
Indian city have always been pedestrian-dominated. A slightsuited to the local climate and environment. Evidence of such
glance upwards reveals the Indian streetscape. (One need not cities in the past and those surviving even today tells us that
look very high, for buildings are generally low-rise, with 3 to 4adherence to the above concepts resulted in a healthy and
storeys). Elements that jut out - filigree balconies and birdwholesome civic life.
cages, shikharas of temples, chhatris of palaces - enhance the India's traditional settlement pattern has been one of mixed
profile of the city. Silhouette is very important, whether it is land use. The concept of zonal distribution of land use was
introduced by the British when they came to India. Not only is
against a backdrop of the setting sun or a moonlit sky. Moods of
the city vary as do the seasons. this sytem in disagreement with the Indian urban life style and
Monsoon downpours convert streets and alleys into streamseconomy, but it also "wastes" energy by the unnecessary
and rivulets; during the summer heat it is the shadows thatscattering and segregation of activities, thereby increasing
count. Ottas and balconies throng with people on festivecommuting distances and inconvenience. In the Indian town,
occasions. From early morning till late at night, a constant flurryland and buildings are used simultaneously for many different
of activities can be felt throughout the town (fig. 7). functions, often diametrically opposed. A house in the city will
As one walks on, what amazes a pedestrian is the variety ofoften comprise a shop at the lower level and dwelling spaces on
functions and activities taking place along a short length of the the upper floors. Dharmashalas are frequently used as schools.
street (fig. 8). Provisions are available next door, vegetablesTemples, village tanks and ghats see a variety of activities all
down the road, and the repair shop is a stone's throw away. The day long; they are never empty. Public spaces are seldom
exclusively for one specific purpose, they inevitably host a wide
doctor's clinic is next to the tailor's shop, which is neighbored by
the jeweller. A five-minute stroll takes one past a school, aspectrum of events, ranging from marriages to political rallies.
dharamashala and a temple, all interspersed between housesMixed land use not only implies full exploitation of available
and shops, and the pattern repeats itself several times, withspace and profitable use of time, but also facilitates employment
innumerable permutations and combinations. Finally, the and supply-demand patterns.
apparently endless street breaks free of the buildings and Closely related to this is the advantage of a close-knit urban
people, then brings one to the ghats or banks of a river, orfabric, and the judicious location of activities within it (fig. 9).

Fig.
Figs. 7 and 8: Streetscape is always bustling with activity. Major streets have a formal character, but9: The city has everything within walking
mixed use at different levels ensures activity from early morning till late evenings. distance including the community's institutions.

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When places of work, residence, commerce, services, and
recreation are all within the same vicinity, time and energy spent
in traversing from one to the other are reduced. Elaborate
systems of transportation become unnecessary, pedestrians
and bicycles take over the streets. Shorter distances mean
energy saved in communication, also.
Apart from transportation and basic utilities, energy is also
consumed by the buildings in a city. Buildings have to be made
thermally comfortable. In the traditional Indian settlement, the
expenditure of energy for this purpose is extremely low. The
reasons for this is a built form rooted in and responsive to the
local climate and environment: building elements that cut down
the energy input required to achieve conditions of comfort.
Buildings are located and oriented so as to shade each other
and the open spaces in between. Narrow streets act as cool
wind tunnels, city temperatures are lowered by the use of trees
and water elements in advantageous locations. Rooftops and
terraces eliminate the need for ceiling fans during summer
nights, and rainwater collected in underground domestic tanks
during the monsoon can last the whole year long. Towns in India
have generally seen the use of local materials - stone, brick
and timber - with emphasis on understanding and fully
exploiting the nature of the material. Nothing is wasted; the
tiniest piece of wood or stone goes into the making of a door,
window or railing. Beside this, building processes generally
involve the local craftsmen's skills, thus promoting their trade
and expertise. The use of local techniques has always en-
couraged user participation in construction, lending a touch of
richness and variety to the built environment.
Energy, and symbiosis, is the basis of all life forms. A proper
balance of all elements is needed by humans to live, move, work
and for recreation. Organizing and using energy at all levels
wisely in the 24-hour life cycle has been man's preoccupation for
centuries. Today, in a world where natural resources are no
longer in plenty and are being depleted at an alarming rate,
energy and the nature of settlements that should be planned or
allowed to develop becomes an important issue.

Fig. 10: The adaption of the basic nine-square diagram for the site of old
Old Jaipur - Lessons from tradition Jaipur city. The northwest block is shifted to the southwest on account
of the Nahargarh Hills and two squares combined for the observatory
Two hundred and sixty year old Jaipur is an excellent example and palace complex (after K.B. Jain)
for understanding the traditional architecture and planning con-
cepts of India. Its founder, King Sawai Jai Singh (1700-1743),
was well versed in the arts and sciences, especially astronomy.
He wished to establish a new capital city reflective of his wider advantage of the sun angles, wind direction and natural
consciousness. Assisted by Vidyadhar Battacharya, his able topography to facilitate surface drainage. The city is essentially
architect, Jai Singh founded Jaipur on November 17, 1727. a gridiron comprising eight district sectors or chowkris, defined
by a major east-west road and three north-south roads (fig. 11).
A cosmic city
His knowledge of the ancient scriptures inspired Jai Singh to
conceive this city according to the Indian tenets of town planning.
This involved linking the city with the heavens (fig. 10), either by
symbolically re-creating the universe in the form of the sacred
Vastu-Purusha Mandala (Vastu = Environment, Purusha =
Energy, Mandala = Chart); or by incorporating into the city the
means by which the heavens may be observed. The central
position of Brahma in the mandala could be interpreted as the
king's position in a monarchy. The central location of the palace
complex and observatory in Jaipur clearly speaks of the symbol-
ic attempt to create the city in the image of the universe. Studies
of old Jaipur tell us that not only did Jai Singh adopt the Prastara
concept for a town plan as described in the treatise called
Mansara, but he also planned different zones according to the
Vastu-Shastras. This not only conformed with the then prevalent
social hierarchy but also strengthened the city's economic base.
From the road network to the dwelling unit, all aspects of
habitat are well thought-out in Jaipur. Sited in a valley formed by Fig. 11: The subdivision of old Jaipur into sectors along an orthogonal
hills to the north and east, old Jaipur is oriented so as to take network of sub-sector streets defining the neighborhoods.

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Termed as rajmarg (king's way), these roads are wide and lead
to gates in the fort walls. Secondary and tertiary roads in the true
prastar chessboard pattern further divide the chowkris into
mohallas, or smaller residential clusters. Initially, the palace
precinct with its large squares was the hub of major public
activities. However, the most distinguishing feature in old
Jaipur's urban structure is, by far, the Chaupar, occurring where
the rajmarg intersect. There are three such open squares,
measuring 100 m x 100 m. Festive occasions in such spaces of
old Jaipur - totally pedestrian and surrounded by controlled
facades - must have formed a unique urban experience.

Residential areas Fig. 13: Old Jaipur - The treatment of temples in the streetscape. A
direct flight of steps leads to the temples located, in most cases, on the
upper level.
The typical sector size, about 800 m x 800 m, is ideally suited to
predominantly pedestrian modes, as a person at the center of the
sector is only 400 m (a 5-minute walk) away from commercial
activities along the major roads (fig. 12). Individual mohallas vary
from 1 60 m x 1 60 m to 1 1 0 m x 1 1 0 m in size, in different sectors.
They house people of different ranks and provide for a variety of
residential plot sizes. A typical mohalla accommodates 40 to 50
residential plots, a number highly conducive in making the
mohalla an economically, socially and culturally cohesive sub-
group. Such community ties are strengthened when the
inhabitants of the mohalla belong to the same caste, pursue the
same trades, and share common facilities. Within the mohallas ,
houses are clustered around large and small pockets of open
spaces, often used for commercial activities.

Fig. 14: View along a major road shows basic elements of the
streetscape. Arcade and shops on the ground, residences above,
unified by a color and a common set of architectural elements.

To establish Jaipur as a major trading center for the region,

Jai Singh took special care to invite traders and craftsmen from
all over the country to settle in his city. Specific quarters in the
planned city were earmarked by him for the different trades and
commodities. Beside this, the domination of major roads by
commercial activities and intersections conducive to public
gatherings has significantly added to the city's image and
growth.
To give the city a unique character, Jai Singh and his architect
stipulated that throughout the city, facades along major roads be
designed and constructed by the State to ensure aesthetic
control. This has resulted in a continuous shopping arcade
along the street with residential structures rising behind it. In
addition, uniformity in color maintained in these facades, by the
Fig. 12: Details of a sector showing the sub-sector streets and theuse of pink sandstone and later terracotta wash, has earned old
close-
knit built fabric relieved by neighborhood open spaces. Jaipur its name of the "Pink City," a city scale phenomenon in
aesthetical experience (fig. 14).

Environmental concern

Jaipur's climate may be loosely classified as Tropical Hot Dry,

Temples received special attention in Jaipur. They are foundwith temperatures ranging from 5°C in January to 45°C in May.
at all the gates in the fort walls, in the chaupar ; and even The average relative humidity throughout the year is less than
in the
middle of major roads. The uniform facade along the 50 percent, and rises to nearly 80 percent only during the
major
roads are broken only by the single flight of steps leading monsoon
to the months of June to September, when the city receives
temples and thus distinguishing them. Often access to most themof its annual rainfall of about 600 mm.
through large gates makes them distinguished landmarksJaipur's
as predominant wind direction is from the northwest, day
well as sympathetically breaking the uniformity of the and
street
night, throughout the year. The city is prone to dust storms
facade (fig. 13). in summer.

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Fig. 15: Orientation of the city of Jaipur is almost ideal with regard to Fig. 16: Old Jaipur - The close-knit fabric reduces the exposure to
minimizing sun radiation in summer and maximizing sun radiation in climatic elements and the projected courts become comfortable open
winter. This also optimizes hot and cold winds. pockets ideal for domestic and community activities.

The design and planning of old Jaipur reflects an excellent well to the human scale. At the city level, external open spaces
response to the harsh climate of the region (fig. 15). Major and and open spaces within buildings give a sieve-like structure to
minor roads are oriented so as to provide them with optimum the overall fabric, which means that the urban mass as a whole
amounts of shade. With the major axial road running east-west becomes porous for cooling at nights, due to a large surface
along a ridge, the city's layout takes advantage of the natural area radiating the absorbed heat. In addition, the dimensions of
topography for surface drainage. Since water and vegetation the courts and open spaces ensure that during the day direct
were scarce, wells and tanks were treated with importance and radiation on horizontal surfaces is minimized by shade.
trees were planted judiciously at locations where they also At the dwelling level, one observes that the plan organization
served as social meeting places. is basically introvert, around a court, with facades and openings
The close-knit urban structure reduces the surface area of the indicative of a sensitive response to the climate. Walls are thick,
built form in relation to its volume, thus decreasing the amount of with high thermal resistance. Openings in external walls are few
solar radiation absorbed (fig. 16). This is also achieved by and small, so as to exclude the hot summer winds and dust.
attaching the houses together in groups, so as to maximize the Passive circulation of air is used to cool the interior, rather than
number of common walls and courtyards which are not exposed direct ventilation. All windows (and even external wall surfaces
to the elements. Thus narrow, shaded spaces between buil- on east-west streets) are further protected by overhangs known
dings not only become extensions of the built form but also help as chhajjas. Roofs are heavily insulated by layers of surkhi
induce cross ventilation due to temperature variations in the embedded with stone chips, overlaying the stone roofing planks
shaded and sunny areas. Thus, climatic constraints have been (figs. 17 and 18). Passive cooling is achieved by providing each
exploited to create intimate outdoor spaces which also relate house with a court open to the sky, which traps cool layers of air

Fig. 17: Climatic analysis of house form.

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Fig. 18: Solar angles.

Fig. 19: House dimensional studies.

at night. This trapped air is prevented from heating up during the

day by controlling the court's height-width proportions. In fact, in
large houses, rather than providing an equally large court, a
series of small courts prove to be more effective (fig. 19).

Urbanism

A remarkable feature of Jaipur's basic gridiron structure is its

flexibility. Allowing growth and change on a gradual basis, it is
open-ended but not endless. Evidence of this potential is seen
in the shifting of the original northwestern block (falling within the
hills) to the southeastern comer. In a contemporary sense, the
plan is extremely democratic in character, as its orthogonal
geometry does not stress a particular spot or activity area.
Within the grid, however, despite a similar pattern, the house
clustering and street network respond to the people's needs and
are not rigidly fixed (figs. 20, 21 and 22).
The low-key character of the entire urban experience is
regarded as a significant aspect of old Jaipur. Despite being
founded by a king, there is no expression of his authority or
imposition on the lives of the people, which is highly reflective of
Fig. 20, 21 and 22: The unique urbanism of Jaipur is strongly evident at
his sensitivity and humane attitude. One is not confronted by all levels. Variations based on a set of common elements create a
imposing palaces, administrative offices, memorials, etc., along
diversity in unity.

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Fig. 23: Jaipur city - Physical growth, 1880-1983. Fig. 24: Jaipur city - Density variation, 1 983.

the major roads and at the chaupars. The axial roads do not in the areas south of the walled city because of the status and
terminate at any major public edifices. The openness of the plan prestige accorded to the area. The middle classes and the
is visually strengthened by long perspectives along the roads, newer population generally concentrated in the area west of the
offering views of the temples in the distant hills. The vivid walled city. A socio-economic study of Jaipur city, conducted by
images created of the old city are a result of all these physical the University of Rajasthan between 1956 and 1966, indicates
factors intermingled with the rich culture and life style of the that 'lhe city has grown and developed only in the southern and
people. A strong identity and character has been created, to southwestern direction. This can be attributed to the physio-
which both residents and visitors relate and respond strongly. graphic factors, since the remaining three sides of the city are
No effort has been spared to realize the abstract and physical surrounded by hills which restrict the physical growth of the city
objectives that Jai Singh and Vidyadhar Bhattacharya shared as only to that side. It is also in this direction that expansion of
a vision in the conception and execution of old Jaipur. Be it administrative, cultural and upper and middle class residential
along a major road or within a residential area, the total urban zones has taken place." Draft Master Plans based on the
environment exhibits a cohesive and well thought-out character. Western garden city concept prepared for Jaipur in 1969 and
1976 have also emphasized new development in the south and
southwestern direction. The only substantial proposal for the
Jaipur now northwest region is an industrial zone that was subsequently
revised to regularize unauthorized residential development.
Till the tum of the 20th century, most of Jaipur's population was
contained within the walled city, with very little spillover beyond. In 1981, the population of Jaipur Urban Agglomeration, 180
In the 1930s, several major residential schemes were proposed sq.km in size, was 1 ,015,160 with a growth rate of 59.4 percent
in the areas outside the walled city. They were planned over the previous decade. The general trend of population
according to British town planning concepts rooted in the garden growth in Jaipur has followed a pattern similar to that of
city principles. In stark contrast to the old city, these schemes Rajasthan State as a whole. Between 1 941 and 1 951 there was
had large residential plots and sprawling bungalows, and a large influx of people seeking refuge in the city after partition.
consequently very low density development. They seemed to In the last 40 years, the city's population growth has been fairly
have drawn their inspiration from Edwin Lutyen's New Delhi plan high due to Jaipur's importance as the state capital and newly
without realizing that this region has severe water scarcity industrializing center of Rajasthan. In addition, the city limits
(fig. 23). have been extended and now it incorporates the rapidly growing
villages of the periphery.
Current growth trends
Residential densities
Distinct class patterns developed almost simultaneously with the
residential development. Outmigration of the elite from the old Since 1941, there has also been a continuous increase in the
city to these new areas began and resulted in settlement mainly density of population (fig. 24). In the last decade, variations in

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population density revealed a marked range between 60 inh/ha Some of these settlements are linked to the city by the National
in the newer developing areas and above 600 inh/ha in the old Highway no. 1 1 . The industrial area along this highway is very
city. The walled city displays a most interesting feature. Its important as it is a source of impetus to the growth of these
density has been reducing consistently over time, indicating a towns. It is extremely probable that this growth may merge to
constant outmigration of households to other parts of the city. Its form a larger expanse of Jaipur in the future.
character, consequently, has undergone a significant change, According to the Master Plan, 1971-1991, "Being the capital
with an increase of commercial activities even on the minor of the state, Jaipur shall continue to be the principal admin-
streets. However, three sectors within the walled city continue to
istrative, commercial and distribution center of Rajasthan. The
have very high densities of above 700 inh/ha. The densitiesfact of that Jaipur has been a major tourist destination area ... has
also to be taken into account." It is apparent that Jaipur's major
economic activities are administrative services, and trade and
commerce, the former employing more than one third of the
city's workers. As for the latter, more than 50,000 workers are
employed in 39,000 shops and establishments in Jaipur city.
The economic structure of the city has changed marginally
over the past two decades, and manufacturing industries have
remained an important sector of trade and commerce, employ-
ing about 60,000 workers. There are two major planned in-
dustrial areas, the Vishwakarma Estate to the north of Jaipur,
and the Jhotwara Industrial Area to the west, in addition to many
small-scale establishments all over the city. A revision of the
Master Plan (1971-1991) resulted in the conversion of a large
area to the north from an industrial zone to a residential one.
Thus, with no major provision for industrial areas, growth of
employment in this sector is likely to be quite low in the near
future.
In terms of land use, only the major roads of the walled city
were under commercial use in 1963. The land use map of 1983
(fig. 25) shows that practically all the roads and streets of the
walled city, even the secondary and tertiary ones, have
commercial activities alongside. Increased land value and easy
access to other commercial and business services have clearly
defined the old city as Jaipur's Central Business District. This
factor may have contributed to the reduction of the old city's
population.
The fact that there has been at least a two-fold increase in
every category of land use (except for land under government
offices) illustrates the rapid urban development in the last
decade.
Population projections indicate that the population of Jaipur
city would be around 30 million by AD 201 1 .

Vidyadhar Nagar: An Indian city for

today
The task before the Planning Team essentially was that in
contexts such as old Jaipur and the recent developments, how is
a new extension, a new city to be planned? Today, after two and
Fig. 25: Jaipur city - Generalized land uses, 1983.
a half centuries, energy, resources, environment, time and
efficiency have become the key words for a planning effort but
they have never been adequately emphasized. It is ironical that
attempts to simplify life and optimize energies have only led us to
more complexity and a frightening waste of resources. Not only
the surrounding areas have been increasing, with a large
have we overlooked our predecessors' achievements, but we
proportion of this densification occurring to the west and
have adopted alien principles, principles that are wonderful for
northwest of the walled city. Here, the density ranges from 50-
100 inh/ha to 300-400 inh/ha and the development tendsthe place of their origin, but absolutely unsuitable (even
towards middle and lower income areas. The patterns indicate detrimental!) for India.
that the new residential areas are chosen in terms of walking andIndian culture has always emphasized three aspects:
cycling distances to the major work places and employment •social interaction;
zones of the city. Most of the areas developed to the south of •economic
the interdependence; and,
walled city show a distinct elite character, with an average •constant awareness of resources.
density range of 50-100 inh/ha.
Emphasis has always been on multifunctional and multipurpose
uses of spaces. The concept of time has been connected to
Work and employment
mobilization of human resources - at all times. The concept of
environment
The growth of villages and towns towards the west and has been to balance the natural forces and
northwest of Jaipur indicates the impact of the city's growth.
optimize their uses. Indians need to look back at their heritage

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and interpret it for the present day and age. This must happen
now (fig. 26).

Fig. 26: Vidyadhar Nagar - An Indian city for today.

Goals for Vidyadhar Nagar

Vidyadhar Nagar is being planned at the threshold of the 21st
century in close proximity to the walled city of Jaipur. Old Jaipur
strongly represents an approach to planning concerns at all
scales of habitat, and its timeless quality, perhaps the right
solution for the region for all times to come, is based on the total
integration of activities and resources. We should be concerned
with issues of an optimal use of man's time and energy, material
resources, an energy-conscious city fabric, flexibility and growth
within an overall framework, harmonious urbanism and human
pedestrian scale (fig. 27). The goals and objectives of any
further planning efforts at this site must take cognizance of the
delicate ecological and resource balance - both as a growing
consciousness of its planning implications, as well as the
achievements of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya's vision, to whom this
new city is offered as a tribute.
Unfortunately the process of urbanization in developing
countries is largely characterized by accretions to the existing
urban centers. Economic forces and disregard for regional
development necessitated that activities and population be
located at these already overstressed centers. As a result the
provision of basic services, shelter and transportation continue
to be aggravated. To resolve these issues we have without
regard to cultural, climatic and economic needs encouraged the
current trends of suburban sprawl. The planning of these Fig. 27: Vidyadhar Nagar - Site and links.

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segments unfortunately did not take into account the traditional the institutional complex in the northeastern zone, to open up the
city structure but adopted imported models of urban planning, view of the Nahargarh Hills towards the east, strengthens this
with serious drain on resources, in terms of the provision of gesture at introducing an element of informality in the overall
utilities as well as the day-to-day energy-activity relationship. orthogonal geometry.
Such patterns of development require high resource inputs and • Streetscape: The bazaar is a characteristic feature of the
consumption due to longer commuting distance, infrastructure urban character of oriental cities, including India. Traditionally,
network lengths and an urban form that needs an enormous bazaars have fulfilled a multitude of needs such as buying,
amount of energy to achieve conditions of comfort within selling, centers of mahajan (guild) activities located in the
buildings. proximity of the king's court, a center of information exchange on
Very broadly, a built form should be rooted in proper activity all matters of life as well as a city center for active socio-cultural
location and should be responsive to the local climate and life. Fortunately, old Jaipur has thriving bazaars along its major
cultural environment and based on appropriate energy recycling sector roads and this feature has been incorporated in the
of human and other resources. Proposals for the city should proposals for Vidyadhar Nagar.
incorporate general as well as specific decisions and actions to The ills of contemporary city planning where buildings are set
realize the goals of a built environment conducive to the back and the streetscape is nothing but a stretch of asphalt with
economic and social life style of the people and their cultural and boundary walls and barbed-wire fences running for kilometers
contemporary needs. Concern in this matter has resulted in the have been rejected in favor of building right up to the plot front
adoption of an energy-conscious approach to planning with special controls to ensure that the street and buildings are
Vidyadhar Nagar. intimately related to each other. Appropriate road sections and
Vidyadhar Nagar is an endeavor at physical restructuring and controls for facades have been visualized to achieve this.
appropriate development of Jaipur city and its surrounding areas. To begin with, the character of the old Jaipur road running
east-west is proposed to be continued along the road presently
Urban character and physical structure linking the project site (fig. 30). This will ensure a harmonious

The physical fabric of Vidyadhar Nagar and its urban character

have evolved on the basis of lessons from both old Jaipur and
contemporary Jaipur. Added to this is the vision of a city of the
future based on environmental and resource concerns. The
proposals for the Vidyadhar Nagar master plan judiciously
combine the positive aspects of the old and the contemporary,
and solutions to the problems of both. They also include
physical manifestations of resource conserving and recycling
systems which will lend it a character of the future of all cities.
At the largest scale, Vidyadhar Nagar's physical structure is
an adaption of the orthogonal structure of old Jaipur based on
the Prastar plan described in scriptures (figs. 28 and 29). This
has helped in establishing clearly the different sectors for
residential areas as well as linking the smaller segments in the
irregular geometric configuration of the project site.
However, the orthogonal structure has been made moreFig. 30: View of major east-west road in Jaipur shows the basic
dynamic by the incorporation of the activity spine which elements
is of street character: Terrace atop the shopping arcade for
relatively informal in its geometric organization and recalls the
viewing life on the street, broad sidewalks bustling with informal
character of the medieval organic city fabric. Turning the axis of
activities, upper floors residential.

Fig. 28: Possibilities of the subdivision of a sector to achieve an efficient Fig. 29: The various geometric configurations for the final residential
road network as well as definition of neighborhoods, the smallestblock to suit group housing developments.
residential block.

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Fig. 31 : Unlike public open spaces in contemporary cities, at Vidyadhar
Nagar the urban spaces are derived from the old Jaipur model, strongly
defined by built form and made busy round the clock by allocation of
suitable activities.

umbilical link to both cities. Essentially, the edge at which the

buildings and roads meet is visualized to be developed as an
arcade fronted by goods shops, crafts shops, boutiques and
other trades, tea shops and other services. With residential use
on upper floors, it is ensured that there will be intense activities
from early morning till late at night. Though orthogonal in
geometry, all the sub-sector roads too will be built right up to the
front leading to houses through raised platforms and porches.
Fig. 33: Vidyadhar Nagar - The combined network of pedestrian paths
The character of the streets and roads in the activity spine is and system of open spaces linking and accommodating community
proposed to be based on medieval planning principles. Here the amenities will increase accessibility, safety and in pleasant settings.
roads meander and widen now and then to form large and small
public squares (chowks) for hawkers, food stalls, snake
charmers, magicians and occasional large and small civic contemporary city. The desired vision is proposed to be
gatherings. achieved through a set of controls by way of guidelines. These
These chowks are conceived as positive spaces formed by guidelines will encompass building heights, relationship to
the mass of buildings that surround them, thus ensuring shaded street, activities on ground and upper floors, fenestration,
pockets protected from the hot dusty winds of this semi-arid material and color controls. The guidelines will not be rigid, but
region. Facade controls conceived with a balance of unity and offer flexibility for individual expression, a homogeneous
diversity of building expressions would strengthen the overall heterogeneity (fig. 32).
harmony of the urban character along all the streets and roads
• Green streets: Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of
(fig. 31).
Vidyadhar Nagar's urban character is the system of pedestrian
• Architectural controls: The urban character of Vidyadhar paths through a diagonal network of open spaces linked all
Nagar is conceived in response to both the old and the across the city (fig. 33). This generally links all the sectors

Fig. 32: Vidyadhar Nagar - The guidelines for architectural control will be conceived to ensure that individual expressions are achieved in a unified framework.

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diagonally across and amidst the majority of community facilities particularly the urban poor. Vidyadhar Nagar is also seen as a
such as daycare centers, milk booths, schools, health centers, model for urban development and city planning for similar
playing fields and parks at neighborhood and sector levels. proposals elsewhere.
To enliven these green streets it is also proposed that craft Vidyadhar Nagar would become a major activity node for the
shops and craft workshops, for which Jaipur is very well known, entire city of Jaipur and particularly its northwest region.
be located here including a preference for allocation of houses Considering the city's present trends of spread towards the
abutting the green streets to crafts persons. This will encourage south and southwest, this gesture of growth in the north and
visitors and become informal learning centers for children. northwest areas would establish a spatial equilibrium with
The proposal for green streets is based on our observations respect to the walled city.
about contemporary city planning practices which do not As per estimates, about 400,000 persons will be residing in
encourage a non-vehicular mode of movement. This adversely the northwest region of Jaipur in the year 201 1 . The absence of
affects the utilization of parks, playgrounds, etc. An arrange- a major commercial institutional center in this quadrant and the
ment of green links combining a system of open spaces and need for decentralization of the walled city calls for the provision
community facilities on the other hand allows the elderly, of a "sub-city center." This center would play the role of a "minor
children and women greater access to what the city offers business district" with efficient linkages with the Central
outside their houses. This can certainly be mentioned as an act Business District of Jaipur city, and would also provide the
to fulfill what the old Jaipur city type lacks and what a necessary employment to all strata of society. It would also be
contemporary society requires. essential to establish proper links between Vidyadhar Nagar and
The need for urban green in a contemporary development is the rest of its catchment area.
as real as the fact that this is a hot arid region facing chronic In spite of Vidyadhar Nagar having a small share of Jaipur's
water shortage. Therefore, the project has proposed the population, it is important that it comprise a socially balanced
recycling of wastewater and its treatment for safe use in community, with adequate representation of every socio-
maintenance of the green areas, including creation of water economic group. This is within the perspective of the goals and
bodies and fountains to improve the micro-climatic conditions. objectives of developing a "model township." A heterogeneous
nature of population would also provide avenues for variations in
Vidyadhar Nagar and Jaipur urban area the built form of the city.

Apart from its aim at decentralizing the pressures from the The township is intended to provide for a population ranging
between 100,000 and 150,000 persons. Apart from residential,
parent city in terms of housing, infrastructure, economic,
commercial, and community facilities for the inhabitants of
educational and cultural activities and providing for the
Vidyadhar Nagar itself, certain requirements of its hinterland
deficiencies in the existing city, Vidyadhar Nagar would cater to
(Jaipur city and its northwest zone), in terms of government and
the housing needs of the entire cross section of society,
institutional offices, industry and transportation, as well as
educational, health and recreational facilities, have been
provided.

The site and its environs

Maintenance of an ecological balance and re-establishment of

water resources is a primary goal of the plan.
The Vidyadhar Nagar site is situated in the northwest
quadrant of Jaipur city, about 3 km from the walled city. The site
is flanked on the west by the Sikar highway and on the east by
the Amanisha Nallah. To the north is the Vishwakarma Industrial
Estate; a residential area forms the southern boundary. Across
the Nallah, the Nahargarh Hills and the foothills of the Aravalli
range form a dominating landscape; an important backdrop for
the whole of Jaipur, but more relevant to Vidyadhar Nagar
because of its immediate proximity. Over the last few decades,
however, the foothills facing the site have been totally denuded
of their trees and foliage and have become full of gullies (fig. 34).
The Amanisha Nallah, located between the site and the
adjoining the Nahargarh Hills, once perennial, now remains dry
for most of the year (fig. 35). During the monsoon however -
especially in the past few years - erosion of the exposed top
soil of the hills and its subsequent deposition in the Nallah bed
takes place. Further, the absence of vegetation and other water
barriers causes flooding of the Nallah. Deforested "post-Jaipur"
sands are prone to active sand dunes. This denudation is the
greatest ecological threat to the city of Jaipur. Deforestation has
been caused by excessive felling of trees and grazing of cattle
by the villagers living in the area. To prevent further damage,
this area could be annexed to the site.
Thus, in addition to the total site area of 500 ha, an area of
about 300 ha across the Nallah could be acquired to assist in
ecological measures of afforestation, fodder farming, energy
plantations, dairy fanning, which would help the rehabilitation of
existing villages (fig. 36). Thus, intense afforestation and appro-
priate landscaping are indispensable for maintaining equilibrium
Fig. 34: The Vidyadhar Nagar site and its environs within Jaipur. in the ecology of the area. The foothills also possess excellent

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 and used for afforestation and farming at the foothills.
Vegetation and water would also assist in revitalizing the
depleting wild life in the hilly area. For a city must be seen as an
integrated community: populations of living things - humans,
animals, plants - in association with collections of artifacts that
can also be treated as populations - buildings, vehicles,
machines - each endowed with a characteristic life style and
survival. The entire ecosystem has to be taken into consid-
eration.
The site's topography - a gradient of 1 in 170 from the NNE
comer to the SSW comer - can be favorably utilized to cut the
cost of sewerage and storm water disposal networks (fig. 37).
To use the site slopes to their best advantage, the axes of
Vidyadhar Nagar would have to be rotated by a minimum of 30°
clockwise. This alignment of the arterial road structure would
also make possible the functioning of gravity-operated canal
systems. The site's geological make-up indicates soil with good
bearing capacity and no problems of waterlogged soil.
Fig. 35: Beside old Jaipur, the foothills and Nahargarh Hills to the east
are a major feature of the site's contexts. The urban agriculture proposed
at the foothills and afforestation of the hills alone can assure a stable site
specially against flash floods along its entire eastern boundary.

Fig. 37: Vidyadhar Nagar - A simulation of the contours of the site based
on which surface drainage, water supply and sewerage are laid out.

Fig. 36: Proposals for afforestation of the Nahargarh Hills for urban
agriculture purposes including fuel and fodder plantations, vegetables
and city level park.

Fig. 38: The structure of Vidyadhar Nagar is an adaption of the Prastar

potential as a public park and city scale recreational areas, and plan described in scriptures in conformity with old Jaipur as well as
also provide scope for research activities in agriculture and contemporary aspirations.
forestry so much needed in the area. This, in turn, would provide
alternative sources of livelihood to the villagers who are
dependent on the forest.
Linkages
Water is the most precious natural resource in this hot dry
region, considering its shortage, especially during summer Presently, Vidyadhar Nagar is served by three regional roads,
months. After treatment of the effluent, the wastewater of the though future traffic volumes would necessitate an additional link
city would be recycled through a network of ponds and channels on the eastern periphery (fig. 38).

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Figs. 39 and 40: Turning the top of the axis of the activity spine towards the east to focus on the views of the Nahargarh Hills and orienting Vidyadhar
Nagar at 30° east to optimize the impact of radiation and breeze in summer and winter conditions.

City structure units of residential organization can help to render imageability

to the city form - in an almost similar manner as that of old
Planning a settlement involves the juxtaposition of two things: Jaipur.
• parameters of necessary activities - their location, form and The tropical hot dry climate of the region calls for the
magnitude; and, protection of buildings and external living spaces protected from
• an overall desirable form of the town.
intense radiation (from the sun, ground and surrounding
For Vidyadhar Nagar, the major determinants of the built form buildings) as well as hot, dusty winds. During the day, ventilation
are drawn from the studies of old Jaipur. They are: should be kept to the absolute minimum, while at night ample
• hierarchy of activity spaces; ventilation is necessary when the heat gained by the buildings is
• imageability related to symbolic form; to be dissipated. The longer sides of a building should preferably
• strong identity; face north and south, so as to reduce the surfaces exposed to
the sun.
• efficient accessibility; and,
• optimal use of non-renewable resources. To provide favorable thermal and optical comfort in indoor/
outdoor spaces the criteria determining the orientation of the
The proposals for Vidyadhar Nagar are an attempt to reflect the
road structure would include:
above concerns for contemporary needs.
Incorporating the advantages of both order and flexibility in a • flushing by the wind;
modular or random growth with high accessibility to major • no direct afternoon sun in summer;
activities suggested a gridiron arterial structure superimposed • early morning sun in winter, but no direct sun at office-going
on a centrally located linear activity spine. In this way distinct hours;

Figs. 41, 42 and 43: The three types of road defining Vidyadhar Nagar's arterial structure.

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• maximum street shading; and, major planning concept in Vidyadhar Nagar. This mode of
• minimum radiation on houses. transport stems from its inherent advantages in terms of cost, air
Orientation of this road network thus has taken heed of these pollution and savings on fossil fuel. Further, as an individualized
mode it has greater flexibility than public transportation.
two main issues: climatic considerations and optimal use of the
However, the principal circular road network with buses plying it
site's topography for services design (figs. 39 and 40). As
provides bus stops to most of the households not farther from
mentioned earlier, a tilt of the city's axes by 30° north of west
250 m, i.e. 2 minutes' walking distance. In Jaipur, the proportion
proved suitable for infrastructure economies.
of trips using bicycles or motorized two-wheelers is extremely
Variations of wind direction and solar position over seasons
high.
and days often necessitate diametrically opposite orientation for
Based on this principle, the city's internal roads relate to the
the above criteria. With the pedestrian mall (activity spine)
nature of activities on and along them, as well as to the external
located in the NE-SW direction (a decision also influenced by
linkages. On this basis, three types of roads are identified to
reasons other than climate), the chosen orientation is a balance
define Vidyadhar Nagar's arterial structure (figs. 41 , 42 and 43),
between the two needs, and would be supplemented by
viz. the activity spine, arterial and the distribution roads. The
appropriate details of the built fabric and building elements.
activity spine would be developed exclusively for pedestrians
Internal circulation and cyclists. In fact, for the rest of the city, specific design
measures would be adopted for pedestrians and cyclists.
Emphasis on the bicycle of a two-wheeler personalized transport The arterial roads (fig. 44) would primarily provide for through
to save energy and personalized time has been considered as traffic
a from Vidyadhar Nagar and the northwest region to the rest

Fig. 44: Vidyadhar Nagar - Road network.

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Figs. 45, 46 and 47: Vidyadhar Nagar - Internal circulation and mass transit.

of the Jaipur Urban Area and vice versa. They would also serve
as the major routes for trips having their destinations along the
activity spine. Therefore, they would be dominated by buses,
cars, motorized two-wheelers and cycles. For smooth traffic, a
width of 30 m would be adopted.
To safeguard the population from accidents, an internal road
structure integrating regional linkages provides only single
crossing of the activity spine. The crossing would be grade-
separated so as to avoid conflicts between vehicular and
pedestrian movement.
The main function of the distributor roads would be to
distribute the traffic to different residential sectors and simul-
taneously define the same. Some would probably develop into
local activity spines, with more local and slower traffic. The width
of these roads would be about 1 8 m, with a spacing varying from
400 to 800 m. Equal importance would be given to both vehicles
and pedestrians on these roads.

Mass transport
As for transportation services, two distinct categories would be
provided within Vidyadhar Nagar:
• the first would be the regional system linking the city's residents
and economic activities with Jaipur and its hinterland;
• the second category would deal with the facilities accom-
modating the daily functioning of Vidyadhar Nagar itself, viz.
roads, a public transport system, and other ancillary services.
In spite of being a pedestrian city, in which most of the services
would be located within walking distance, contemporary needs
demand that adequate vehicular access to residential areas be
provided (figs. 45, 46 and 47). The cross sections of typical
roads would give sufficient user space to pedestrians and
cyclists, as well as provisions for on-street parking. Road widths
would be derived on the basis of estimated traffic volumes. A
local bus route of about 4 km length would be able to provide bus
service within a 150 m walking distance to the local residents -
two minibuses with a capacity of 36 persons each could
adequately serve the local routes and ensure a bus at 1 5-minuteFig. 48: Detail of the final development of the central activity spine.

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a. View from east: institutional zone to right.
b. View of the central four sectors.
c. Activity spine viewed from south.
d. Residential areas to east: recycled water reservoir at top right.

Fig. 49: Vidyadhar Nagar - Views of the model. Fig. 50: Vidyadhar Nagar - The model.

intervals. In addition to these local routes, Vidyadhar Nagar Jaipur urban area would be situated along the western boundary
would also be connected to the walled city and south Jaipur road to provide high accessibility to the residents of the area.
through direct bus service. In spite of its linearity, clustering of certain "compatible"
activities would occur along the spine. In addition, the highly
Location of activities volatile nature of commercial activities - especially in retail
services and business offices - would imply that the built and
Regarding the location and form of major non-residential
unbuilt fabric be flexible and conducive to changes. Certain
activities, a more concentrated mode of development would be
institutions would be used as blocks at the corners to prevent the
preferred, considering that these activities would serve the entire
spillover of commercial activity onto the through roads.
northwestern region and some parts of Jaipur city (fig. 48). Lower
level commercial activities (that need not be related with the
Residential areas
public transport system) could be dispersed. A linear form was
selected for this concentrated activity center, giving better
Within the described arterial structure (fig. 49), different levels of
accessibility to each function along it. This "spine" would hope-
residential organization would be possible, the structure of which
fully become the heart of Vidyadhar Nagar, pedestrian- would have to respond to the daily needs of the resident pop-
dominated and bustling with activity. As the major public spaceulation, the socio-economic variations amongst them and its
effect on the residential built form. For these reasons, an
serving both the township and the entire city of Jaipur, it would
have to be bi-directional to incorporate climate and visual adequate mix of plotted and group housing for various income
considerations. Each arm of the spine would have a distinct groups would be ensured. Within this diversity, however, care
functional character. Commercial and government offices would would be taken to see that each group retain a certain identity
be located along the north-south direction, whereas the arm and character of its own (fig. 50).
leading across the Nallah towards the hills would see In old Jaipur, a distinct hierarchical organization of spaces and
educational-institutional activities, as well as catering to Jaipur's streets exists, which systematically relates a house, cluster and
tourists. The entire spine is seen as a pedestrian mall, with the neighborhood within the overall sector. The contemporary
transition from commercial to cultural functions achieved through development in Jaipur city, however, reveals different patterns of
a chaupartype of public open space. Higher order public facilities taste amongst the residents with respect to built form and space
like general hospitals, bus and truck terminus, central grain and organization. In Vidyadhar Nagar, the design of the sector would
vegetable markets, etc., serving the entire northwest zone of be an attempt at a symbiotic fusion of these traditional patterns

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Fig. 51 : Images of the futuristic yantra : Mechanism, modelled on Jai Singh's observatory yantras, atop the reservoir of treated wastewater ready to flow
gravitationally and nourish urban agriculture in the foothills, and gardens and fountains in the new city.

and changing needs. The sector would be bounded by 30 m

wide roads on four sides, and its internal street pattern would
cater to both the vehicular traffic and pedestrian movements
generated by sector facilities and the recreational area.

Energy conservation and recycling

Since resources are finite and energy saved is cheaper than
energy generated, a city should be consciously designed to
judiciously use natural resources, recycle waste and save hu-
man energies.
A significant portion of the resources in urban areas are
consumed in the provision of basic services. All efforts must be
made to minimize these and to re-use them as much as pos-
sible. The use of renewable sources of energy must be en-
couraged and practiced in the first instance as demonstrative
models.
Energy, ecology and environment are pivotal considerations
in the conception of Vidyadhar Nagar. Of course, this goal would
have to be met within the constraints of the materials available.
In this type of urban development, technology cannot play a
passive role by merely satisfying the basic requirements of
service infrastructure. For the planning of Vidyadhar Nagar,
technology would be a much more powerful tool, harnessing
resources for the benefit of mankind and yet remaining sympa-
thetic to the forces of nature.

Water recycling
In the context of this semi-arid region, water is the most precious
commodity and must be conserved. The area already expe-
riences water shortage in the critical months of summer, and a
recent report of the Geological Survey of India warns of the
inadequate recharge of underground water reservoirs.
The technology of economically recovering clean water from
sewage is well established in India and has been used during the
last decade. Similar innovations would be adopted for Vidyadhar Fig. 52: A careful study of topography was undertaken to collect
Nagar, as a model for future urban planning (fig. 51). The sewerage gravitationally, treat it in the southeastern sectors and pump it
proposed treatment plant would treat the waste to a level to the reservoir in the foothills (in the northeastern zone) using bio-gas
rendering it safe to discharge the water into the Nallah (fig. 52). pumps from where it will flow gravitationally.

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In the process, energy in the form of bio-gas and manure would
be generated. The quantity of water available would be
1 0,000 eu. m per day. For recycling, additional tertiary treatments
of chlorination, filtration and clarification would render the water
totally harmless and would also make it psychologically accept-
able. This water would be pumped to a reservoir across the
Nallah in the foothills of the hills at a height of about 20 m in the
natural contours. From here it would be recycled with gravity flow
through a system of canals and intermediate reservoirs. The
water demand for ecological and agronomic uses would be about
8,000 eu. m (including evaporation losses), while the residue of
2,000 eu. m would partly go into field losses and would partly be
utilized by the surrounding industries.
The resultant benefits of water recycling are numerous, viz.:
• ecological upgrading in terms of afforestation in the foothills
and turning the barren landscape green;
• ground water recharge;
• fuel wood plantations and fodder farms to augment the energy
sources and generate employment;
• vegetable and dairy farming (and hence their products being
available in close proximity);
• industrial use; and finally,
• gardening/landscaping of this pedestrian city with fountains
and water bodies along well planted paths.
The by-products of recycling in turn spur new technologies like
bio-gas plants for digesting waste and fodder grasses; windmills
and solar panels for running farms and dairy units; smokeless
wood stoves, solar cookers, evaporating cooling systems and
many other devices. These would inculcate an awareness in the Fig. 53: Vidyadhar Nagar's built form closely follows the Jaipur character
inhabitants of Vidyadhar Nagar of the finite natural resources ideally suited as a passive response to the climate of the region.
and their efficient use.

Built form and energy

In response to both the climate and socio-economic needs of the
people, the city's built form would have to take cognizance of the
building materials available, the appropriate design principles
and the construction techniques employed. Learning from the
traditional Indian city, one sees that the built form would have to
be low-rise and compact (fig. 53). The proportions of streets and
courtyards would ensure that they be shaded during the day and
that cool air be trapped below a blanket of warm air. At night, the
same structure would give sufficient porosity for good ventilation
and replenishment of cool air into both indoor and outdoor
spaces.

Building materials and crafts

With respect to materials, sandstone is amply available in Jaipur
and is ideal for the climate because of its low thermal conduc-
tivity. From the viewpoint of design and construction, the
material implies a modular approach and the spanning capacity
of these units would have to be taken into account for the city's
dwelling units. Prefabricated components like chhajjas and jalis
recognize the available sizes of the material and the facility of
quick erection. This approach also absorbs new technologies,
as the stone flooring and chhajjas could be replaced by precast
concrete planks, with windows and jalis manufactured from
terrazzo or ferrocement. The domestic scale of the components
would encourage small-scale cottage industries within
Vidyadhar Nagar, which would assist the construction process
and simultaneously generate employment.

Conclusion
We have seen, at a glance, some of the ideas behind Vidyadhar
Nagar, and the various factors influencing the process of Fig.
its 54: Vidyadhar Nagar - A city symbolic of permanence and order,
conception (fig. 54). faith, safety, security, and social, economic, technical opportunities.

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Fig. 55: Vidyadhar Nagar - Views of the model.

Planning is done at many levels in urban centers. The recreational gathering areas dotted by food stalls, and other such
formulation of broad policies from which specific projects can elements generating a lively urban environment, is a significant
emerge is not always the correct solution. Conventional plan- gesture of creating a place where one can experience urban life
ning approaches towards the preparation of master plans in all its intense diversities for most part of the day and evenings.
sometimes prove to be too rigid or circumscribed to guide further It is vital that contemporary residential development projects take
development in a positive perspective. It is not enough to deal into consideration the need for such an environment.
with physical design considerations only. Effective planning Similarly, it is crucial that planned settlements of this scale be
requires the assessment of an important trinity: seen in totality; not as mere edifices, but as an entire system,
• fiscal resources; where people live, work and play. This is where the idea of a
• and resources; and, self-sufficient, employment-oriented city comes in. The concept
• administrative management resources. of cooperatives in India dates back to the late medieval
In the case of Vidyadhar Nagar, there exists enormous potential mahajans (guilds). The advantages of such an economic
to realize the ideals of planning envisaged in reality, provided the system need not be elaborated here. This concept would be
above-mentioned three resources are judiciously put to use. It is encouraged in Vidyadhar Nagar, not merely in principle, but by
also not enough to plan critically with regard to an ecologically the physical design of the city itself. Within each sector, sub-
balanced, energy-conscious urban fabric. It is necessary to sectors would include "activity centers" housing these cooper-
ensure that it is implemented equally critically by those who atives, with the necessary infrastructure. The compactness of
share the ideals of a sustainable human habitat system on this the city and an efficient transport system would further enhance
planet. This in turn would imply a sensitive, humane approach at the smooth functioning of such market activities.
all levels of decision making. India's towns and cities have grown over years in spite of lack
Sensitivity and a holistic view of the city are both manifested in of infrastructure. It is our belief that this growth stems from an
the proposals for Vidyadhar Nagar (fig. 55). The activity spine as intangible vitality - a force which includes diversity, variety and
a pedestrian mall, comprising activities like commercial retail, art heterogeneity. This inclusion stems from the belief that growth
galleries, cultural centers, pavilions for informal shopping, of all types is necessary to sustain holistic life. A well planned

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clean city is good but it should not look or behave like a sterile to the task. More important than the solution, however, is the
hospital complex. People are full of choices, full of complexes approach adopted for the same. A correct attitude towards
and they need expressions to identify their place in the city. It is human habitat can never result in a wrong manifestation.
this vitality which supports identity, and individual and group It is our firm belief that the city will give its inhabitants and
action is important. Hence, our attempt in Vidyadhar Nagar is to visitors a glimpse of the man-made objects designed to harness
establish a few guidelines, establish hierarchical choices so that wind, water, solar and human energies. And these objects will
each individual or group has its place in privacy and public life. complement Jai Singh's deep-rooted belief that, "Man must
Architecture and city form are based on images and expe- constantly look at the heavens to understand and order life on
riences. It is the memory of these experiences that triggers life earth." The objects in this town will not be static, but will be in
force. It is this memory that we intend to touch through the built constant motion as they harness and recycle hitherto unknown
form questioning the rational attitude between order and chaos sources of energy, and round the clock produce energies for the
- between permanent and temporary, between organized and activities of its citizens.
unorganized. Here, these new energies will make the desert bloom, and
Vidyadhar Nagar has been visualized as a model for future create once again a green city of forests, gardens, water pools,
urban planning in India. The issues raised in its process of and become a demonstration for urban agricultural practices.
planning are by no means specific to the region, be they socially, Like old Jaipur, this city will be humane, based on man as the
economically, culturally or technologically oriented. measure, so that inhabitants experience intimacy and come
These issues ask just one question: "Can we do something together. It will offer its people opportunities to flourish and allow
better by learning from what is already there and which is within flexibility to reshape their and the city's destiny to respond to the
the means available to us?" Vidyadhar Nagar is just one solution changing needs of society in times to come.

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