December 2022 A Development Monthly: Special

December 2022 a development monthly
SPECIAL
Re-structuring Urban Galaxies
Dr Balkrishna Doshi
Focus
Central Vista Redevelopment Project
Dr Bimal Patel
Development of Historic City Centres
Ratish Nanda
Brihadeeshwara Temple – A Stand-Alone Marvel

Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan
Revisiting ‘Brutalist’ Architecture

Dr Manjari Chakraborty
YE-2121/2022
December 2022
Chief Editor
Volume-66
No. 12
Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.

YOJANA Since 1957 A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY
RakeshRenu
Rig Veda
Editor
Shuchita chaturvedi
In This Issue
Our Representatives
Ahmedabad: Sumanben A Machhar, Bengaluru:
BK Kiranmai, Bhubaneswar: Itishree Singh Rathaur,
Special Articles
Brihadeeshwara Temple –
Chennai: Sanjay Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam,
Hyderabad: Krishna Vandana P, Jalandhar: Gagandeep
A Stand-Alone Marvel
Kaur Devgan, Kolkata: Khurshid Mallick, Mumbai: Re-structuring Urban Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan....... 23
Umesh Ujgare: Thiruvananthapuram: Roy Chacko. Galaxies
Dr Balkrishna Doshi...........................7 Revisiting ‘Brutalist’
Joint Director, Production Architecture
D K C Hrudhainath
Dr Manjari Chakraborty.................. 29
Cover Design
Bindu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan,

CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.
E-mail (Editorial): [email protected]
YOJANA, a development monthly published since
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in
the broader framework of government policies.
Although published by the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to
Focus
expressing the official point of view. Central Vista Redevelopment
DISCLAIMER Project
l The views expressed in various articles are Dr Bimal Patel.................................11
those of the authors and they do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Government or the
organisation/s they work for.
Development of Historic
l Maps/flags used in the articles are only indicative
City Centres Statue of Unity
and they do not reflect the political map or legal Ratish Nanda..................................19 Prof Dr P S N Rao,
representation of the flag of India/any other
country. Prof Dr Anil Dewan......................... 35
l The infographics/figures are provided by the
authors through their reliable sources and Universal Public Designs
YOJANA claims no responsibility for the same. Dr Jithendran S............................... 43
l Images, graphics and illustrations, wherever
used, are mostly sourced from government Architecture for Health
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Issue on Tribal India affairs. As it is the real essence of current affairs related
to government policies etc., so, civil services aspirants
I am a regular reader of Yojana. The articles in the July
and others who are preparing for competitive exams
issue were very helpful and informative. I enjoyed reading
should make use of this.
them. With useful facts and figures, every author presented
the tribe-development continuum. I am very grateful to the – Nikhil Yadav
editor for this marvelous and collectible issue. The editorial Uttar Pradesh
was also on point. I thank the whole team of Yojana for Managing Water Resources
their consistent dedication and hard work.
Both the articles ‘Water Governance’ and ‘Our Water
– Prabhat Kumar Mishra Heroes’ in the October issue gain utmost importance at a
Uttar Pradesh time when the monsoon woes this year have been causing
Promoting Indigenous Medicinal Plants ample anxiety, especially to agrarian communities. This
indicates that we have to manage our water resources with
Respected Editorial Team, I am grateful for the
professionalism since no one is aware of the water shortage
October issue on Our Ecosystem. I would like to send
during the ensuing summer. We must learn the value of
my regards to the editorial team, for publishing a
natural resources.
specific section on the North Eastern Region through
the article titled, ‘Indigenous Bio-resources of the – Susheela B. R. Ramanna
NE Region.’ While the article provided good insights Karnataka
on the medicinal plant species of the region and the Epitome of Knowledge
conservation techniques, it also reminded me of the
fact that from a very young age, I was introduced with Your monthly magazine is amazing, wonderfully
these very medicinal plants specifically mentioned in blended with authentic data and analysis because of the
the article as these plants were very much part of our way you make each topic easy-to-read and one can retain
daily consumption practices. I believe that community these for longer periods of time. Your content is full of
awareness on the importance of such medicinal plants insights and one can trace what is going on in our country
may also further the conservation process as most in general and those who are preparing for civil services,
indigenous communities use such medicinal plants. in particular, will gain heavily. Your every edition is the
It is interesting how our elders without any scientific epitome of knowledge enhancement. Thank you for such
knowledge have long known the importance of these an amazing journal.
medicinal plants and made it a part of our daily – Shubham Kumar
consumption practices. Bihar
– Lukumoni Sonowal Subscribing Yojana
New Delhi I have been reading Yojana for the past nine months.
Useful for Civil Services Aspirants Subscribing and reading Yojana was one of the best
All aspirants for every competitive exam look for decisions of my life. It has helped me to expand and
resources to tackle current affairs for which they search acquire relevant knowledge on various topics. Every
for every corner of books and resources available in the article helps create a deeper understanding of the issues
market and social platforms. But I believe selection and rather than surface-level knowledge. Thank you for being
quality of material matter a lot and it is not easy to find instrumental in my UPSC preparation.
out. But going through Yojana editorials, I say that it – Anjana R
is a must read. It is helping me a lot to cover current Kerala
4 YOJANA December 2022

Editorial YOJANA
Monumental Marvels
“...But a few understand that building is a great symbol we live in our minds, and existence
is the attempt to bring that life into physical reality, to state it in gesture and form. For the
man who understands this, a house he owns is a statement of his life.”
― Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
A rchitecture defines a space. It is the body and

soul that forms the identity of a building,
locality, town, city, or nation. Places are often
associated with the surrounding monuments,
iconic buildings, landscapes, places of worship,
and even the bylanes. For any enthusiast, merely
taking a bus ride or a stroll in the old and new parts
of a city can be a diverse experience. From older
minimalist designs to lavish glass-tinted buildings,
from chowkhats and jharokhas to façades, from high-
rises to small houses with grand courtyards, and from
heritage or art deco to planned townships, there is so
much to see and explore. And, if the places are an
amalgamation of old and new, consider cities like
Varanasi or Delhi, then it is a double delight. Each unique style, building materials used,
patterns, and overall vibes reflect the unique stories of the era they would have been built
in. They also tell us a lot about the needs, and aesthetic and design senses of the people who
would have owned or built them.
The same goes for a country. Its iconic buildings or structures are the ones that make a
mark on the travellers who come from far and wide. They are mostly used as representational
images of the country on the internet and in publications. Such is the monumental importance
of architecture.
Through this issue of Yojana, we have tried to understand the vision and perspectives
behind the iconic works done in the field of architecture and where they stand today.
Eminent professionals have shared their valuable viewpoints and insights into making of
these architectural marvels from brick and mortar. They have also dwelled upon how urban
spaces are shaping up in modern times and what challenges of development lie ahead of us in
the light of sustainability, rising population, and changing demographics and lifestyles. Also,
how people around can be engaged and made a part of these processes and stories through
active participation and community building.
India is at the cusp of transformation on various fronts. This includes redefining
the identity that the nation has been associated with through its colonial past. The same
is envisioned in the recent redevelopment projects including at the Central Vista in the
capital city of New Delhi. There have been multiple iconic developments in this regard
coinciding with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav that instill pride among the people including
the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, Kartavya Path, and Statue of Unity.
We are hopeful that this issue of Yojana will encourage its readers to venture out with an
appreciative eye for detail, explore these marvels of architecture and design that are around
us and discover the stories behind them. 
YOJANA December 2022 5

YE-2128/2022

URBAN PLANNING
Special ARTICLE
Re-structuring Urban Galaxies

Dr Balkrishna Doshi
When we see the map of India, we realise a unique characteristic – there is a hierarchical network
of dots of varied sizes with names of large metropolises, cities, and towns. They appear like
‘urban galaxies’ – with naturally developed scales between entities, interconnected and located
within easy reach. Further exploration suggests that these networks have their unique lifestyles,
unique pattern of habitat based on local resources, climate, and available characteristics of
land. The connections and the spread of the developments appear like a ‘biological’ growth, with
adaptation, mutation and replication after a certain growth tipping point that are essential for
sustenance and preservation. These multi-nodal conglomerates expand infinitely absorbing
smaller entities on the way and obliterating their strengths.
T
here is a great talk nowadays about sustainable overburdening the mega-cities– which will eventually get
development in Indian cities and towns. crushed under their own burden of management, complexity,
However, we need to understand this fully and affordability. Expansion means larger distances, and
and see how these goals can trigger other more time and energy to commute for living, working, or
developments without harming the region or the lifestyle. cultivating the mind and the spirit.
For me, sustainability ensures long-lasting development Expanding mega-cities today can only afford to sell
without becoming unduly centralised– similar to a biological branded and mass-produced goods to greater numbers,
order, therefore, we should consider a way that replicates and which needs larger centralised production centres, industrial
triggers the creation of another similar or mutated unit. For complexes, the greater network of transport facilities, large
example, an elephant or a human being, or
even an ant, after maturity, does not grow
beyond its ‘ultimate’ size– if it does, it
automatically gets destroyed, succumbing
to external pressures by internal failure. I
am reminded of the large dinosaurs of the
Jurassic Age.
Likewise, we need to review our
present mega-cities and metropolises.
By improving their infrastructure, we
will surely improve their functioning, but
we may not upgrade the quality of life.
Besides, due to our development focus of
concentrating around one place/city, all the
institutions and employment opportunities,
we are denuding the smaller towns in
the region of their small-scale crafts and
Wide panoramic view of Mumbai city
industries, and encouraging migration and
The author is the first Indian architect who was awarded the Pritzker Prize, along with the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Shri, and other
international accolades. In a long and illustrious career spanning over seven decades, Dr Doshi has completed more than 100 projects,
many of which are iconic public institutions that include IIM Bangalore, IIM Udaipur, the National Institute of Fashion Technology,
New Delhi, the Tagore Memorial Hall in Ahmedabad, the IFFCO Township of Kalol, and Amdavad di Gufa. Email: [email protected]

Aerial view of Bengaluru
multi-storeyed complexes on prime lands, relying on larger local resources, climate, and availability characteristics
banking systems with higher interest rates, finally resulting of the land. Sharing these common renewable resources,
in our colossal agglomerations like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, (and here I must include human energies), and sustaining
Bengaluru that are struggling with their size and yet think within its available means, each place has its unique quiet
that they have to rely on it, and depend overly on exhaustible lifestyle, development of agriculture, different crafts, and
resources– oil, water, land, human energies that keep getting cultural values. This lent a close-knit character and easy
expensive while the quality of life keeps dropping. Needless communication. The use of time and energy and family life
to say, as against ‘small is beautiful’ we are then talking of was linked to the 24-hour cycle and the seasons. Smaller
‘bigger is better’, and only looking towards the West who towns developed organically and over time extended their
have traversed this path, for their approval and funding. homes, created shops, schools, and public places to become
When we see the map of India, we realise a unique smaller towns, and act as nerve centres.
characteristic – there is a hierarchical network of dots of On studying closely, there are further important
varied sizes with names of large metropolises, cities, and lessons for our planning today. Planning is not merely
towns. They appear like ‘urban galaxies’ – with naturally physical growth, but also spiritual and cultural growth, all
developed scales between entities, hinged on the availability of resources.
interconnected and located within easy Visiting several towns and cities in
reach. There are necessarily empty Planning is not merely physical different parts of India, one notices
tracts between entities, and then we see growth, but also spiritual and the unique and regionally-connected
shorter movements linked by locally- cultural growth, all hinged on lifestyle and virtuous skills of the local
developed transport systems, with many the availability of resources. population. They could only do this
pedestrians, bicycles, animal carts, and by decentralisation and by allowing
Visiting several towns and
few accessible points to heavy motorised self-discovery for the human energy to
cities in different parts of find particular avenues of exploration
traffic. I would call it organically
India, one notices the unique within the regional context of resources
developed interdependent habitats.
and regionally-connected and values. Such amalgamation also
Further exploration suggests that lifestyle and virtuous skills of expressed unity amidst diversity as if
these networks had their unique lifestyles, to weave the region holistically. The
and unique patterns of habitat based on
the local population.
connections and the spread of the

developments appear like a ‘biological’
growth, with adaptation, mutation,
and replication after a certain growth
tipping point that is essential for
sustenance and preservation. We must
look at multi-nodal conglomerates, and
not the single-large banyan trees that
can expand infinitely, absorbing smaller
entities on the way and obliterating their
strengths.
There was always respect for
the natural network of important
water bodies with a water supply and
irrigation systems, and the forests and
animal life. Non-motorised transport
encouraged greener, quieter, and less
polluted habitats. If one notices further, High-angle view of old Delhi skyline
there was always a hierarchy for open
spaces at every level where people would interact. Everyday, ‘Appropriateness’ therefore, has been a virtue that has
each member of the community would spend a good part of guided scales and life-fulfilling characteristics of each habitat
their time in these areas (at their levels), and every once in a in India. This is the secret of their survival over centuries,
while, together on larger scales to celebrate festive occasions. in spite of floods and famine. If I can sum it up: it is a
Second, studies reveal that each area had specific culturally- transformation of scarce resources into multiple alternative
oriented rules which defined their needs and regulated the uses expressing a deliberate attempt to design relatively
consumption of resources for that purpose. Similarly, daily, small, capital-saving, environment-friendly techniques of
weekly, monthly and seasonal markets suggest a very using all the resources including human energy. Also, this
different notion of ‘economies of scale’, both for production could not have been possible without an equally appropriate
and consumption. One never exceeds the other and they are funding strategy and here we find the traditional way of joint
always in balance. Our present understanding of the term share-holding with responsibility. We can find examples
‘economies of scale’ is in fact excessively profit-driven of this in our most successful cooperative movements, for
and completely inverses such a relationship, with different e.g., in the milk sector like Amul in Gujarat, in the farming
implications on demand-supply, gestation, pricing, storage, sector in different developments in Punjab. Co-operative
and logistics. partnerships like what developed between the owners and
Majoor Mahajans, in the
initial growth of the textile
mill city of Ahmedabad,
can revitalise employment
income and generate wealth
for the citizens. This is a
true stake of the citizens,
not centralisation through a
transfer of responsibility to
few leaders or managers, but
shared responsibility.
We need to ‘miniaturise’
our cities, make them more
compact. One of the ways is
to think of them as ‘walkable
cities.’ It is possible to
conceive all aspects of one’s
life from living to working
to most basic education and
recreation within a half-hour
A glimpse of the streets of Varanasi
walk. Public transport can

then play a crucial role here, but the original planning
also needs to have been conceived holistically. Instead, if
we like the galaxies, consider the smaller towns of around
one lakh population (there would be around 1000 of them
all over India, between 50,000 and 2 lakh population)
as growth centres and develop them as magnets, other
villages and smaller habitations will have the chance to
learn, earn and develop without sacrificing their time
and energy in communication and travel – preferring to
stay nearby our parental region means enrichment in a
community for family and individual life. If guilds are
formed in every small town, they, in turn, will become
magnets, saving large infrastructural costs and leading to
open quiet and walkable towns where every citizen will
have pride in sharing the richness. In addition, there can be
a natural movement of cultural groups, cooperative craft
shows and their exhibits, and small science exhibitions
that will give the locals a chance to learn and improve
their environment and lifestyle. Similar to traditional
towns and villages, we will once again be proud to invent
and re-create local regional ethos expressed in their
habitat and lifestyles.
Gandhiji’s charkha was an ingenious single solution
involving every family member in their different free
times, but also being socially productive and culturally
relevant. The internet in our times can similarly play that
role. A single connection shared by the family can use
our individual free time and convert it to independent
productive use while also connecting us globally and
helping us grow as persons. This can be global and local
and at the same time, learning and growing all the time
while being self-reliant, and spending energy to travel only
when most imperative. Smaller renewable energy solutions
can easily cater to such smaller needs.
Economist EF Schumacher reminds us that along
with producing goods and services, we must develop our
gifts and skills, and collaborate with and serve others, to
liberate us from our inborn egocentricity. With this, there
also has to be a cognisance of the ‘flows’ of nature, and
that man is only a part of these larger flows. There has to
be sharing with the other life forms and in the same way
amongst humans. Micro-financing and sharing a frugal
multi-functional attitude to life and lifestyles has sustained
the countryside and hinterland over centuries. There has to
be a deliberate desire to develop relatively small, simple,
capital saving and environmentally non-violent (friendly)
clusters. Should we not revisit how our ancestors created
their own independent world and created the wealth in
town planning and architecture, products that we boast
of as our heritage? Can we confidently say that our future
generations will feel the same with our mega-cities?
YE-2126/2022
Should we not instead of only visiting museums and old

cities,‘be’ a part of and create a new avant-garde urbanism
– a ‘new heritage’? 

Architect’s Reflections
focus
Central Vista Redevelopment Project

Dr Bimal Patel
Central Vista is a national icon for India. Located at the heart of New Delhi, the three km stretch
between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate is the administrative centre of the country’s Union
Government, the venue for India’s national events, a precious civic garden, and a popular destination
for the residents of Delhi and tourists. This piece reflects on the vision and the experiences on the
ground while working on this architectural Project of national importance.
A
s a part of our history as a nation, Central India Gate became a national monument, the lawns flanking
Vista was designed by the British architects the processional axis became public gardens, and the North
Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker as the and South Blocks that symbolised the might of colonial
seat for the British Raj and adopted by rule over India at the time of their construction became
independent India as our own on 15 August 1947. Central the offices of the Indian government. The contemporary
Vista is a symbol of our victory over British imperialism. vibrance of Central Vista and the historic significance
The Indian Constitution was written here, we adopted that it holds make it a humbling and exciting project for
the imperial Council House as the Parliament of India, me as an architect. I would like to take this opportunity
Viceroy’s House was adopted as Rashtrapati Bhavan, to talk about our work, the challenges that we face, and
The author is currently working on the Central Vista Redevelopment Project and is the President & Acting Director, CEPT University,
Ahmedabad. As an architect, urban designer, urban planner, and academic for over 30 years, he has crisscrossed disciplinary, professional,
and institutional boundaries to explore how architecture, urban design, and urban planning can enrich the lives of people in Indian cities.
Email: [email protected]

the strategies that we employ to tackle and then, finally, the artifacts will be
them in the design process. While its history was to be transferred to the Blocks.
Working in a Brownfield Site preserved, it also needed Stakeholders' Feedback
Like most public spaces in Indian quality public facilities and Central Vista is a space that
cities, Central Vista is a brownfield technological infrastructure to accommodates a very wide range
site. Our site is a living and working keep functioning efficiently. of activities and therefore, engages
system with active administration and a variety of stakeholders. While
Managing this broad spectrum
public spaces. This brings its own designing, the end-user must always
special challenges. A brownfield site of requirements is a big design be at the centre of an architect’s
has a diverse range of requirements. challenge. process. This belief can be practised
Kartavya Path, for example, is as much only through proactive stakeholder
a historical place, as it is a civic garden and the venue engagement. While designing the Kartavya Path, for
for national events. Therefore, while its history was to example, we designed services for the national events that
be preserved, it also needed quality public facilities and are hosted there. The armed forces, Doordarshan, Ministry
technological infrastructure to keep functioning efficiently. of Culture, etc., have central roles to play in these events.
Managing this broad spectrum of requirements is a big Our office stayed in constant touch with these stakeholders,
design challenge. For example, public amenity blocks and we designed the integrated underground services and
at Kartavya Path were constructed underground and conduits with their inputs. We also invited the President’s
between trees so as not to interfere with Central Vista’s bodyguards to ride horses on the sample stretch of Kartavya
aesthetics and save the trees. Similarly, the historic light Path to check the performance of the flooring. Based on
poles along the central road were to be restored while this exercise, we tweaked the design of the section. At
also providing technological facilities for national events. Kartavya Path, we also learned from the feedback that we
So, we retrofitted them with new technological features– received after the avenue was inaugurated. We realised that
maintaining the heritage aesthetics of the poles while also our signages needed more text as some people found them
providing the required technology. Additionally, sites like difficult to decipher in the current– graphic heavy– format.
Central Vista must keep functioning while the construction We are working on resolving this issue as well. Similarly,
is taking place. The North and South Blocks, for example, in some parts of the lawns we noticed that there is more
house the most important government ministries and will footfall than we had anticipated and consequently, the grass
be converted into National Museums. To do this without is getting damaged. More pathways will be added in these
disrupting government work, we have phased the project areas. At the MP’s offices that have been designed as a part
strategically. The Common Central Secretariat (CCS) of the Legislative Enclave, we created 1:1 scale mock-ups
buildings will be completed first, then the ministries will of the office spaces. These spaces and the furniture were
move out of the North and South Blocks and into the then tested by the end users and our team took meticulous
CCS buildings. Then, the North and South Blocks will notes of their feedback. For the chambers of the New
be upgraded with museum-appropriate infrastructure Parliament Building, while talking to the people who work
there, we came to know
that the well in the centre
of the hall– the space
between the Speaker and
the Members where the
Secretary General of the
House and their team of
stenographers sit– blocks
the line of sight of the
members across the aisle.
The well is a busy space,
with stenographers being
replaced every 30 minutes
and documents being
constantly circulated.
We were mindful of this
problem while designing
the new Parliament

While designing, the end-user must always be at the centre of an architect’s process. This belief can be practised only through proactive stakeholder engagement.
building and we used 3D printing technology to create this intention, soon after the project was awarded to us,
many options while developing and analysing the section. I travelled extensively– giving presentations to fellow
Sinking the well down was deemed the most feasible architects, academics, landscape designers, engineers, etc.,
solution and the same was incorporated into the design. and seeking their opinions. I also interacted with the press
and gave talks at conclaves and conventions to understand
Engaging Experts
what the people are saying about the project and what their
A project of the scale and complexity of Central Vista queries and concerns are. While we were constantly talking
can be successful only if a large team of professionals to the press and to the people– responding to queries and
works on it in proficient cooperation. Along with this, putting information out– we were also confident that
expert knowledge is also important for such a project. once the people see the project for themselves and use
While it is quite routine for architects to work with other the facilities that we designed, most of their queries will
experts such as structural engineers and the like, for be resolved. In the week following the inauguration of
Central Vista, however, expert knowledge in a variety Kartavya Path, that is exactly what we saw happening.
of disciplines becomes very crucial. Therefore, we are When people saw what we had achieved at the avenue,
working with more than sixty consultants and advisors on the fears of encroachment of public space and destruction
the project. For example, the scale of the project and the of lawns disappeared. Kartavya Path’s success and the
vast public space implied that we work with a signage and people’s positive reception of the space is the proof that if
way-finding consultant. We also have an archives expert we give people the right information and facts, and if we
to work on the National Archives and other buildings that explain our projects with reason and respect, people can be
need such services. In order to design efficient parking, we brought together behind large-scale public projects.
are working with a parking expert. For the lawns and their
Working with Timelines
flora, we are working with a horticulture expert and a tree
surveyor along with landscape designers. We also have a Design is an iterative process and as architects, we
stonework advisor to make sure that we do justice to the always wish for more time to design. Sometimes, however,
details and the cladding. Working with such a diverse array as in the case of Central Vista, the timeline of the project
of disciplinary and technical experts, our role, as architects is a part of the challenge of design and coordination. A
of the project, is to bring their expert knowledge and team of dedicated professionals and strategies of design
incorporate it into our design. management have made it possible for
Kartavya Path’s success and us to work at an astronomical pace. One
Engaging the People
the people’s positive reception of the strategies that we adopted was
Central Vista is a project of national to stack various stages of the design
importance. It is a public project being of the space is the proof that
process and compress the overall
undertaken by the Government. It is, if we give people the right timeline. In an architect’s office, every
therefore, imperative that a project of information and facts, and if we design begins with a concept stage. This
this nature generates a spirited debate. explain our projects with reason is followed by presentation drawings,
I believe that as architects, we have a and respect, people can be schematic drawings, all the way up
responsibility to explain our public
brought together behind large- to the drawings that are finally issued
projects to the people, just like we for construction. But while working
explain our projects to our clients. With scale public projects.
on Central Vista Project, we worked

on multiple stages simultaneously– similar to how the Conclusion
Covid-19 vaccine was produced in record time by stacking A project such as the Central Vista comes with
various phases of trials together. This required a great deal enormous challenges for an architect. They require the
of coordination and design management. A project such architect to step out of their comfort zone and encounter
as the Central Vista also requires clearances from various problems head-on. A problem-solving approach to design
governmental agencies– more than any other projects do. where we articulate problems clearly and design with the
However, protocols require for clearance applications to objective of solving them creates feasible and sustainable
be submitted to these agencies in a sequential manner. design interventions. Through specialised knowledge, a
One cannot submit applications to multiple agencies healthy and proactive engagement with the people and
simultaneously. To keep pace with the work, we submit the stakeholders, and a team of competent professionals,
application to an agency, and we continue to work on the large-scale urbanism and architecture projects can be
design further in our office as we await clearance. Once all successfully implemented. I hope that the Central Vista
the necessary clearances are received, we issue drawings
Project will go down in history as a good example of this
for construction on the site. Using these and many more
practice.
such management strategies, and with a team of motivated
and competent professionals, we have been able to work at Visit www.centralvista.gov.in for an active dashboard
a very rapid pace. on the Project. 
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YE-2129/2022

Development Roadmap
Kartavya Path
‘Kartavya Path’ symbolises a shift from the erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power
to being an example of public ownership and empowerment.
O
ver the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of water features, and haphazard parking. Also, a need
Central Vista Avenue had been witnessing was felt to organise the Republic Day parade and
pressure of increasing traffic of visitors, other National events less disruptively with minimal
putting stress on its infrastructure. It lacked restrictions on public movement. The redevelopment
basic amenities like public toilets, drinking water, has been done bearing these concerns in mind while
street furniture, and adequate parking space. Further, ensuring the integrity and continuity of architectural
there was inadequate signage, poor maintenance of character.
• The work of Kartavya Path started in March, 2021

and its first phase was completed in time for the
Republic Day Parade
• The sanctioned cost of the project is Rs 608 crore
and expenditure in Phase I is Rs 522 crore
• The total length of granite walkways is 16.5 km.
• 300 CCTV cameras, 422 sitting stone benches, a
number of twin stone dustbins in place
• Nearly 165 km underground conduit for services
and with a 10 km long underground storm water
drains trees in mind, to make it comfortable for civic users
and tourists
• Central pathway has been completely refurbished,
strengthened and the landscape restored • Parking has been designed to accommodate upto
580 cars and 35 buses in Phase I
• More pedestrian friendly and easier for the traffic to
navigate through • The footpath on edges which used to be of
Bajri/Murram earlier, have been replaced by granite
• A total of four pedestrian underpasses 8 m wide each–
walkways
two each at Janpath and C-Hexagon junctions– have
been provided keeping pedestrian safety in mind • The previously inaccessible areas beyond the canal
have been made accessible through the introduction
• Eight underground public amenity blocks and six
of walkways and sixteen permanent bridges
vending plazas have been designed, keeping existing
• Lawns have been refurbished and most of the original
Jamun trees have been retained and more trees have
been added through a planned strategy of plantation
• The total area of grass lawns redeveloped is around
90 acres
• In accordance with the architectural character of the
avenue, historic chain links and 79 light poles along
the Path have been preserved and restored and 58
new poles have been added
• Painted concrete bollards have been replaced with
sandstone bollards to achieve coherence with the
landscape
• Canals have been refurbished to stop seepage
• Additionally, 60 aerators and 28 filtration tanks have
been added to ensure that the canals have clean water.
Kartavya Path exhibit beautified landscapes, immense contribution of Netaji to our freedom struggle
lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished and would be a symbol of the country’s indebtedness to
canals, new amenity blocks, improved signages, and him. Crafted by Arun Yogiraj, who was the main sculptor,
vending kiosks. Further, new pedestrian underpasses, the 28-feet tall statue has been carved from a monolithic
improved parking spaces, new exhibition panels, and granite stone and weighs 65 MT. The grand statue of
upgraded night lighting are some other features that Netaji has been carved from a monolithic block of granite
will enhance the public experience. It also includes weighing 280 MT. After 26,000 man-hours of intense
several sustainability features like solid waste artistic endeavor, the granite monolith was chiseled to
management, stormwater management, recycling of used produce a statue weighing 65 MT. The statue is completely
water, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and hand-sculpted using traditional techniques and modern
energy-efficient lighting systems, among others. tools. A 100 feet long truck with 140 wheels was specially
The statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is installed designed for this monolithic granite stone to travel the
in the same. The granite statue is a fitting tribute to the 1665 km from Khammam in Telangana to New Delhi.
T he Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has

launched the ‘I am on Kartavya Path’ photography
contest. Click mesmerizing photos of Kartavya Path and
Rewards
1. Two best photographs are awarded weekly with a
prize of Rs. 5000 each.
stand a chance to win exciting prizes!
2. A ‘Kartavya Path Photo’ is to be selected every
Participants can also share photographs on Kartavya month. A prize of Rs.10,000 will be awarded to the
Path using #KartavyaPath tagging @MyGovIndia on any winner.
social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter,
Koo, etc. Start clicking! The last date of submission is 31 January 2023.
Source: PIB and MyGov

YE-2125/2022

Heritage Conservation
focus
Development of Historic City Centres

Ratish Nanda
I
ndia boasts of several millennia of built heritage and living culture
represented in the traditional architectural crafts. In the 21st
century, it may now be time to reflect on a truly Indian approach
India’s monuments
to conservation, one that allows leveraging our historical assets to
are irreplaceable and improve socio-economic conditions of residents of our historic cities.
significant asset for The residents of our numerous historic city centres can benefit from greater
the nation and its integration of preservation and conservation efforts with public policies and
schemes for development measures. To demonstrate such an approach, the Aga
people with associated Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India,
emotional, religious, Central Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi
economical, historic, have undertaken a 15-year urban renewal project at the Humayun’s Tomb–
Nizamuddin area in Delhi. Here, conservation efforts have incorporated local
architectural, and area development through employment generation, boosting local crafts and
archaeological values arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
amongst others. Their The Archaeological Survey of India is taking several steps to ensure long
term, sustainable preservation of our nation’s heritage in a manner that is based
conservation efforts
on increased awareness amongst the public of the significance of our heritage
require craftsmen and increased involvement of civil society in the preservation effort. Over the
using traditional last two decades there has been increased awareness of the value of the urban
setting of our sites in ensuring that the historic character is retained. This led
materials, tools, and to guidelines issued in 1992 and the formation of the National Monument
building techniques Authority, mandated to create guidelines for new buildings in the setting of each
and can also become one of nation’s protected monuments. However, rather than be prohibitive, the
guidelines should stress on improvement measures and incentives that enable
a significant employer. improving of the historic urban environment as well improvement of the quality
Unlike the West, we of life for local residents.
in India are fortunate
that our craft traditions
have survived to the
present times, and it
is recommended an
emphasis on a
craft-based approach
to conservation as
well as modern public
buildings.
Conservation efforts have incorporated local area development through employment generation,
boosting local crafts and arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
The author is Conservation Architect & CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Email: [email protected]

The 90-acre Sunder Nursery Park attracted over 700,000 visitors in 2021. With six UNESCO World heritage structures, 30 acres of wilderness zone,
and facilities like amphitheater, children play zones situated here, the park is one of the top tourist attractions of Delhi.
In 1997, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Similar treatment was meted out to many of India’s
India’s independence, the garden restoration of Humayun’s monuments where well-meaning past repairs were
Tomb– a designated World Heritage Site was initiated. After carried out using inappropriate modern materials not only
the project was completed in 2003, within a few months, compromised the original design intention but also set in
after the restoration of the Mughal Garden and flowing water, a process of accelerated decay. At Humayun’s Tomb, the
it led to a 1000% increase in visitor numbers to Humayun’s Conservation Plan prepared and agreed at the onset with
Tomb. Following the success of the garden restoration, the the Archaeological Survey of India, established the intent of
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) was asked, by the the AKTC conservation initiative to remove inappropriate
Government of India, to undertake further work in India past repairs and replace these with authentic repairs
and it was agreed that AKTC would build up on the garden using traditional materials used with traditional building
restoration to undertake a large urban renewal project that techniques by master craftsmen.
would include conservation of several monuments coupled It is well established that using traditional building
with major initiatives in socio-economic development materials– stone, earth, bamboo, timber, brick– our
focused on the residential communities of the adjoining forefathers built splendid structures, from modest residences
Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti as well as landscaping over 200 in wonderful cities to grand palaces, monasteries, temples,
acres of a designated district park with a focus on ecological tombs, stupas, amongst others. For anyone who bothers to
restoration. compare buildings built only a few decades ago to what
Building archaeology of the Humayun’s Tomb World is mushrooming in Indian cities today, it is not easy to
Heritage Site, a precursor to the more famed Taj Mahal, understand how our design and craft capabilities were lost
revealed that the building had suffered within a few years of materials such as
over a century of inappropriate The Archaeological Survey of cement, steel, and glass becoming easily
conservation work. A million kilos of available. In the shift from the traditional
India is taking several steps to
concrete was required to be removed to the ‘cheap’ modern, we have lost
ensure long term, sustainable architectural craft skills that had the
from the roof– laid here in the 20 th
century to prevent rainwater ingress; preservation of our nation’s capability of creating millions of man-
over 200,000 square feet of cement heritage in a manner that is based days of employment while ensuring that
plaster was similarly required to be on increased awareness amongst our cities had both a unique identity as
removed and replaced with traditional the public of the significance well as a higher quality of life.
lime plaster. Original doors had been of our heritage and increased Conservation effort requires
removed for firewood in the 20th century involvement of civil society in the craftsmen using traditional materials,
and the remnant tilework on the interiors tools and building techniques and can
preservation effort.
removed and replaced with plain plaster. also become a significant employer.

Unlike the West, we in India are fortunate urban centres are poor and often
that our craft traditions have survived to The success of the deprived of even the most basic
the present times, and it is recommended Nizamuddin Urban Renewal urban infrastructure. The success of
an emphasis on a craft-based approach the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal has
has demonstrated a model
to conservation as well as modern public demonstrated a model approach for
buildings. With stone carvers, plasterers, approach for community-based community-based conservation. Not
masons, carpenters, bricklayers, who conservation. Not only have only have several protected monuments
take great pride in replicating the several protected monuments in in the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin
work of their forefathers, being at the the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti undergone conservation but the
forefront of building conservation the Basti undergone conservation conservation effort has been coupled with
design intention of the original builders providing education, health services,
but the conservation effort has
will be respected and the understanding vocational training to create economic
of significance and interest in our been coupled with providing opportunities for local youth and
built heritage amongst visitors will be education, health services, women, sanitation, urban improvements
retained. The craftsmen should also vocational training to create including landscaping neighbourhood
once again become stakeholders in economic opportunities for local parks and street improvements, revival
the preservation effort and continue to youth and women, sanitation, of a 700-year living culture centred
impart traditional skills to their future around Sufism and Qawwali, creating
urban improvements revival of
generations who are moving to other performance spaces, amongst other
trades in large numbers. a 700-year living culture centred aspects. It is hoped that the community
around Sufism and Qawwali, of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti will now
India’s national monuments are
irreplaceable and significant asset for creating performance spaces, play a pivotal role in the preservation of
the nation and its people with associated amongst other aspects. the built heritage that stands amidst their
emotional, religious, economical, neighbourhood and that conservation/
historic, architectural and archaeological values amongst culture can be used a tool for development in several other
others. These assets are however under threat from the similar historic urban areas of India.
pressures of urbanisation. To achieve conservation and For the Nizamuddin model for ‘Conservation led
development objectives, different agencies of the government Development’ to be replicated requires significant public-
need to partner with academic institutes/civil society and private partnership with NGO’s, Resident Welfare
local communities. It has already been demonstrated that any Associations, grant making organisations, corporate sectors,
resources invested in such an endeavour leads to multiple Municipal Councils/Corporations to come together with
returns as well as fulfilling multiple government objectives. a long-term vision. The initiative has global lessons but
has been possible with a multi-disciplinary team creating
Several of our monuments stand amidst dense urban
customised, contextual and local solutions all aimed at
inhabitation in our many historic cities. Also, often the
improving the quality of life for inhabitants with heritage
communities residing around monuments in these dense
assets restored and well taken care of.
At many of popular sites, the need for Museums/
Interpretation Centres either located within existing
buildings or in new sensitively designed structures, is
now strongly felt. In order to enhance visitor experience
and attract younger generation of visitors to major sites
or ensembles of monuments state-of-art displays using
new media are planned. Examples from across the world
demonstrate that significant modern architecture can
revitalise the economy and generate major visitor interest in
heritage sites. At present the Aga Khan Trust for Culture is
engaged in building museums at both the Humayun’s Tomb
as well as the Qutub Shahi Tombs at Golconda, Hyderabad;
the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has provided
funds for both these projects.
View of the 14th-century Nizamudding Baoli, which is set amidst historical Conservation and development should go hand-in-
monuments all around. A major urban conservation programme was hand, but conservation interest must remain paramount
undertaken here, after its collapse in July 2008 where apart from the
conservation of this structure and over 10 monuments in the complex, Basti
if any such development is to be sustainable in
youth were trained to conduct heritage walks in the area. perpetuity. 

YE-2133/2022

Temple Architecture
Brihadeeshwara Temple – A Stand-Alone Marvel

Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan
The Big Temple of Thanjavur (Tanjore) is a stunning monument that speaks volumes about the
architectural mastery of the Chola era. This Shiva temple is home to one of the largest Shiva
Lingas of the country. A majestic Nandi (bull) stands guard over the temple. This is the second
largest Nandi in India and is carved out of a single stone. The temple is recognised as a part of
the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Everything about this temple is big, majestic. No wonder it is
referred as Brihadeeshwara or The Big Temple.
T
he ancient city of Thanjavur (Tanjore) is the cultural capital of the Kaveri delta region. The city and its
cultural legacy are the end product of three vibrant kingdoms that have ruled this part of Tamil Nadu over the
past millennium– the Cholas, the Vijayanagar, and the Maratta kings. Of these three, the Cholas take credit for
identifying the town as a potential political capital when it was captured by Vijayalaya Cholas early in the 9th
century. From then on, his successors were busy expanding the monarch’s boundary in all possible directions. Rajaraja-I,
who was engaged in several military expeditions, should have been inspired by the fine temple architecture patronised by
the Pallavas and other predecessors. His ancestors, who have been devout Saivites have contributed to the development of
many popular temples of Siva, and should have also inspired him. So, it is only natural for Rajaraja-I to take upon himself
this mammoth task of constructing what probably should have been the grandest humble offering to Siva.
The temple complex measuring about 244 metres on the east-west and 122 metres north-south is placed inside what is
referred to as Sivagangai little fort. This fortification is an addition taken over during the renovation by Sevappa Nayaka
around 17th century. There is also a moat running around this fortification which we cross as we enter the temple complex.
A well-decorated arched entranceway built during Maratta period welcomes us with various deities fixed as stucco images.
As we pass the Maratta entrance, we are welcomed by a classic Rajaraja period gopuram named as Keralanthakakan
Thiruvasal measuring 29.25 metres X 17.4 metres.
This 5-tiered gopuram has a cellular ambulatory
on either side. Sixty metres from here is the second
gopuram called as Rajarajan Thiruvasal. On the
eastern side of this gopuram are massive monolithic
dwarapalakkas or door guardians. Also, the stone
base of this gopuram has bas-relief panels depicting
episodes from puranas. On entering this gopuram the
visitor is treated with an aesthetically pleasing grand
panorama of the Sri Vimanam and the sub-shrines. All
around the circumference of the compound wall, two-
storeyed cloistered halls had been constructed to be
used as multipurpose space. There are sub-shrines built
in between these cloistered halls housing shrines for
the ashtadikpalaka (deities guarding the 8 directions),
Ganesha, and the temple yagasalai.
The author is an architect who is an expert on temple architecture and is on several committees constituted by the central and state
government on temple conservation. Email: [email protected]

On the southwest corner is the shrine of Ganesha,
built during the times of Sarabhoji II. The shrine built
during the times of Rajaraja, mentioned in the inscription
as Parivara-Alayattu Pillaiyar was vandalised and hence
the Maratta king built a new structure for him. This shrine
is visually balanced by the shrine of Subrahmanya on the
northwest corner built during the 17th century CE. This is an
extremely ornate sculptural gallery that houses Murugan or
Subhramanya along with his consorts Valli and Devasena.
The columns, the pilasters, and the kudus running around
the lintel speak about the fine craftsmanship of the Nayaka
artisan. The door guardians of this shrine, sculpted out of
a very shining granite stone, and the stone tub installed to
collect ablution water are noteworthy for their workmanship.
The pillared hall in front of this shrine has portrait paintings
of the royal members of the Maratta kings.
To the north of the sanctum sanctorum is a neatly
finished Chola period shrine dedicated to Chandikeshwara.
With a front hall, an ardha mandapa and a detailed vimana,
this is one of the well-designed shrines for Chandikeshwarar,
officially the chief accountant of a Siva temple. Interestingly,
the donations made to the temple and the endowments created
for various activities in the temple have been documented as
long-running detailed inscriptions by the king himself. The
first inscription starts on the wall opposite this shrine.
The shrine of Devi Parvathi is situated on the northern
side of the main campus. Revered by the devotees as
Brihannayaki, Periya Nayakior Ulagam Muzhudhudaiyal, the shrine for the Goddess as the consort of Brihadeeshwara
was built during the 13th century by the Pandya kings. A single-tiered vimana on a low raised plinth and sill was later
extended with a front mandapa. The ceiling and the walls of this shrine have paintings done during the Maratta period.
Sri Vimanam
K A Nilakanta Sastri observes, “the temple is the finest monument of a splendid period of south Indian history and the
most beautiful specimen of Tamil Architecture at its best, remarkable for its stupendous proportions and for the simplicity
of its design.” This is understood when the visitor stands humbly in front of the Sri Vimana and thinks for a moment about
the power of bhakthi. The number of mountains
that Rajaraja has turned in to achieve this great
feat puts us through a stumbling emotional
tunnel.
The vimana stands on a square base
measuring 29 metres. The proportioning of
the successive tiers of the vimana is the reason
behind the visually appealing appearance of
the structure. The 13-storeyed, 66 metres
tall pyramidal vimana is corrugated with
appropriate motifs, design features, and
sculptures of various deities. The pinnacle is
a spherical dome-like shikhara, on which sits
the 12-feet tall gold-plated kalasam. There is
a common belief that the spherical stone on
top is a monolith weighing 88 tons, carried on
top by a ramp built from a distance. However,
An equally interesting feature of the temple is the huge monolithic Nandi, the sacred bull, in front the fact stays that it is not a single stone but
of the main shrine. The pavilion on which the Nandi sits is by itself a later-period addition.

fragments arranged and plastered to achieve the special
The temple is said to be the finest volume. Epigraphic evidence says that Rajaraja I had
monument of a splendid period of south presented gold covered finial to be fixed on the vimanam
Indian history and the most beautiful
specimen of Tamil Architecture.
on the two hundred and seventy-fifth day of his twenty-fifth
regnal year, ie., 1009-10 CE.
According to the agamas, the vimanam on top of the
sanctum sanctorum is supposed to represent sookhmalinga.
It is in fact, a religious icon that needs invocatory rituals
during the installation. It is considered a sacred mountain
and hence Rajaraja describes this vimana as the Dakshina
Meru, the revered meru mountain of the south. Hence, the
topography of Kailasa has been recreated as a stone bas-
relief on the eastern façade, decorated with the daily scene
at Kailasa, representing the divine family of Siva with Devi,
Ganesha, Muruga, Nandi, the rishis, and other celestials.
Engineering Wonder
The 2-storeyed sanctum sanctorum along with the
vimana on top of it is truly a wonder. Apart from basic
questions like the source of materials, who they were
transported, the type of foundation, and the fineness of the
binding materials, the very source of inspiration to build
an edifice of this stature is still an unresolved mystery. The
structural load sharing has been brilliantly planned in a very
crisp fashion. The slope of the pyramid has been achieved
by pushing the successive layers by a few inches inside,
thereby getting a very gentle slope. On top of this pyramid,
the shikhara acts as the counterweight to hold them all in place. From the sanctum sanctorum, when we see up, the hollow
vimanam rises in all its glory with a photogenic view of the indented slope
Sanctum Sanctorum
The sanctum sanctorum of Brihadeeshwara is a vast square chamber with sides measuring 7.9 metres. There are two
beams placed on the eastern and western walls and four diagonal beams fixed in the corners. The gigantic Sivalingam
should have been installed prior to the construction of the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum is a double-walled structure
with a space of around 2 metres wide running around the chamber. The eastern side has the grand entry to the main shrine.
There are two small doors that open into this narrow circumambulatory path called the sandharaarai. Three deities, one
each facing the south, west, and north have been installed in this corridor. Apart from these deities, invaluable fresco
paintings done during the times of Rajaraja have been discovered in the early 20th century. This space is repeated again in
the first story of the vimanam. There, bas-relief
slabs depicting the bharathanatyakaranas or
poses as performed by Siva have been installed
around the circumference. This series is
incomplete, depicting only 81 of the 108 poses
described in traditional dance manuals.
Measured about 1.6-metre diametre,
the lingabanam is positioned in a circular
pedestal measuring 5.25 metres in diametre.
The second story above the lingam is empty
with the hollow space growing up to the entire
height of the vimanam. This cavity has been
consciously created to depict the aroopa or the
formless form of Siva. This is also envisioned
as the parakasa, or the ether space where Siva
performs anandhathandava.

The temple is a grand galore that depicts the seasoned sense of aesthetics and planning that the land and its people had acquired a millennium back.
Architectural Grandeur
The sanctum sanctorum is approached by a series of mandapams from the eastern side. The mukha mandapam is a
later-time addition and it now serves as the portico for visitors. It is followed by a grand maha mandapam, a beautifully
executed cloistered hall with rows of tall columns. The walk across this hall is a humbling experience in itself. Next, we
enter the ardha mandapa, a relatively smaller space with tall columns again. The access to the first floor happens from
this mandapam. The antarala is accessed from a fleet of stairs on the north and south sides. This is where devotees stand
to offer their worship in front of Sri Rajarjeshwaram Udaiya Paramaswami, as the deity was called by Rajaraja himself.
Nandhi Pavilion
An equally interesting feature of the temple is the huge monolithic Nandi, the sacred bull, in front of the main shrine.
The pavilion on which the Nandi sits is by itself a later-period addition. The monolithic nandi from the Nayaka period was
brought in to replace the old nandi installed by Rajaraja. The mandapam was also constructed by them and the ceiling of
this mandapam was painted with frescos carrying European influences. This case of the changed nandi, is a lesser-known
fact for many people who visit the shrine. Well, what happened to the Chola nandi? Thankfully, he was placed in the south
side thirumaligaipathi, or the cloistered hall running around the compound wall. We can still stop to take a close-up look
at him near the modern shrine built for Varahi inside the temple.
Arts and Aesthetics
The temple is a grand galore that depicts the seasoned sense of aesthetics and planning that the land and its people had
acquired a millennium back. The outwall of the sanctum sanctorum houses various deities, as prescribed in the agamas. The niches
on the wall are placed in a frequency and ornamented with makaratorana. Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, and
Durga are some of the deities housed in their respective directions. A series of different forms of Siva are installed in the niches
and the forms are those that have been mentioned in the agamas and sung about in the sacred thevaram texts. The forms of Siva
include Nataraja, Lingodhbawa, Gangadhara, Ardhanareeshwara, Kala Samhara, Harihara, to name a few.
This arrangement continues to the first floor also and the niches there house Siva as Tripurantaka and Vidhyeshwaras. Each
of the deities enshrined in the niche has their attendants and devotees also represented on either side of the niche.
Rajarajeshwaram, as the temple was called by Rajaraja was treated as a lifetime mission of a single man that was realised by
the combined hard work of several lakhs. The dream to commission a mammoth offering to the almighty, without compromising
on traditions has been achieved a millennium back and the concept of temples serving as the central fulcrum of society has been
tested and established. The number of different engineering challenges that Rajaraja has taken up in the construction of this
temple seems deliberate, trying to prove a point. The laying of shallow trench foundations and aiming at a scale that was never
tried before shows the depth to which detailed studies have been done by structural experts.
Filling the structure with earth and covering it as it was being built is the theory that seems convincing for this scale and
size, else mobility to the top-most portions would have been practically impossible by scaffolding support. So, as the layers were
built, they were also filled and covered with earth, thereby forming a ramp that could help the resources reach successive levels.
As the project was completed, the soil was excavated to reveal the grand structure in its full glory. It is certainly an emblem of
pride to us. 
Image Courtesy: Vijay Bhat

YE-2135/2022

YE-2131/2022

Minimalist Designs
Revisiting ‘Brutalist’ Architecture

Dr Manjari Chakraborty
Brutalist Architecture was a child of a line of thought that, as per its own interpretation, wished to
strip buildings of their unnecessary intricacies, embellishments, superfluous decorations, cover-ups
with the employment of multifarious concealing materials and finishes that hide the core structure
and basic character of it. This is accepted as a specific offshoot of modern architecture. The word
Brutalism doesn’t really come from its harsh aesthetics, but actually from the very material it is made
up of, i.e., the predominant use of reinforced and plain concrete. Béton brut is basically a French
term that means “gross cement” or “raw concrete” and this term is occasionally used to describe the
characteristic looks identifiable as Brutalist Architecture.
I
n contrast with classical Architecture and that hide the core structure and basic character of
its romantic continuity, some bold and it. Started around 1950, this bold new movement
contrasting modernistic trends gradually proclaimed and practised Architecture as muscular,
emerged and ramified into certain sub-trends, simple, undecorated, almost intimidating in its stark and
of which Brutalist Architecture is a prominent player. imposing presence. Brutalist architecture is a trend that
This modern trend germinated not only because of the appeared in Britain, while the society was going through
fresh philosophy propelled by an escape velocity from the post-war reconstruction process. Brutalist buildings
the stale continuum, nor singularly by are marked by a sort of minimalist
any sheer novel artistic urge, neither yet voluminous construction that
as a mere reflection of the remarkable deliberately displays the bare building
social changes, but also due to and materials and structural elements
supported by some new materials and over deceptive manipulations of
new construction techniques. Social decorative design. Some reputed
changes instigated the new style journals called Brutalism as technical-
and technical innovations made it musician architecture, menacing and
possible. stark. Brutalist buildings were and still
are perceived as difficult to maintain
Identification
and demolish. In general, Brutalism in
Trying to grasp in a rather Architecture is accepted as a specific
simple manner, Brutalist Architecture offshoot of modern architecture. The
can be identified by some specific word Brutalism doesn’t really come
markers. Brutalist Architecture was from its harsh aesthetics, but actually
a child of a line of thought that, as from the very material it is made up of,
per its own interpretation, wished to i.e., the predominant use of reinforced
strip buildings of their unnecessary and plain concrete. Béton brut is
intricacies, embellishments, basically a French term that means
superfluous decorations, cover-ups This architecture deliberately displays bare building
“gross cement” or “raw concrete”
with the employment of multifarious materials & structural elements and is marked by and this term is occasionally used
concealing materials and finishes minimalistic yet voluminous construction to describe the characteristic looks
The author is a Professor & Head, Department of Architecture & Planning, Birla Institute of Technology at Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

social and intellectual angles. Banham called brutalist
Architecture “raw art.” We might also try to understand
the issue from Architectural angle including social,
cultural, economic and contemporary concerns like
population explosion and environment.
Interpretation
Architecture is not only a profession that blindly
serves the apparent needs of the society and economy.
It is a vocation too and often surpasses its professional
domain to arrive at its vocational impulses to change and
lead and guide the very needs and tastes of the society.
The architects who led the Brutalist movement desired
A church in Vienna, Austria
architecture to be shorn of all unessential embellishments
identifiable as Brutalist Architecture. The Swedish phrase and stand unbudgingly in its monolithic confidence and
Nybrutalism was also used to describe this trait. The honest stature in a bare-all and dare-all stance in front
actual term “New Brutalism” was first coined by British of the world. They wanted their buildings to radiate a
architects Alison and Peter Smithson who had designed confidence of durability and dependability amid the social
some landmark pieces of Brutalist Architecture. instability of that time, the buildings were supposed to
To identify Brutalist Architecture in a rather be icons of strength, like infallible lighthouses amid
conclusive way, we may look for certain basic materials the storm of socio-politico-economic upheavals. The
and abstract characteristics in buildings including World War devastated the cities, thus pulverising ancient
simplicity, a feeling of volume, use of minimum architecture and making way and scope for new concepts,
materials, no efforts towards superfluous decoration, new technology and new designs of buildings. In a sense,
softening, intricacy or embellishment, a forceful presence it was as much of an opportunity as a compulsion to re-
to the tune of being even shocking at times, a tough and populate the cities with a new set of buildings that could
stark look from outside and inside, a sculptural quality, symbolise the spirit of a phoenix (or rebirth) and assure
and finally an honest exhibition of materials used and the society of tough permanence and secure shelter for
structural system adopted. We may also look for bare, starting all human activities afresh. Concrete as a material
bold, unromantic, non-intricate, non-ornate simplicity, at that nick of time offered huge freedom for architects,
harshness, dominance of straight lines, bare materials, because concrete is tough, honest, mouldable, sculptable,
angular massing, lumpy nature, straight-cut, aggressive, durable and bold. At the same time, it needs no protection.
massive, no-fuss, and imposing sculpturesque quality So, the architects professing brutalism took advantage of
achieved by sheer simple volumes. this and designed their buildings with a kind of frugal,
spartan yet monumental nature with minimum frills and
A very important point here is to remember that minimum variety of materials.
without such branding and brandishing, many old
structures, especially the houses of the poor and the In addition to the known sources of nomenclature,
middle class in the past, had several characteristics of if we furthermore wish to interpret the term brutalism
Brutal Architecture acquired naturally by virtue of their by thinking whether it originated from the word ‘brut’,
use of minimal materials and bare structures. By being we may look up the meanings from the dictionary and
minimalist, those buildings were naturally brutal, even find that it means ‘savagely violent, ferocious, harsh,
by the yardstick of the later meaning hard-hearted, heartless, inhuman,
of the term. An important point here is monstrous and even abominable.’ One
of the softer meanings indicates ‘direct
British Architecture critic Reynar to remember that structures, and without attempting to disguise
Banham in the year 1955 had discussed especially the houses of the unpleasantness.’ The one perhaps
Brutalist Architecture, highlighting its poor and the middle class positive use of the word demonstrates
characteristics, genesis and impacts, as ‘brutal honesty.’ We may see that
in the past, had several
thus helping the term and the trend all these synonyms and usage cited
to be popular for about two decades characteristics of Brutal
since then. The article is available on Architecture acquired naturally in the lexicon and other origins of
the nomenclature, are all somehow
the internet and is a piece composed by virtue of their use of or other attributable to Brutalist
by anon-Architect intellectual critic of minimal materials and bare Architecture, depending on the point
Architecture viewing the issue from structures. of view of the observer or critic.
an emphatic combination of artistic,

Critical Appreciation and indifference and intimidation in
While going for a critical The durability of the brutalist human nature and society as a whole,
appreciation of any form of art, buildings poses another intertwined with a desire to acquire
particularly for pieces of public and situation regarding the interior identity, individuality and power.
habitable art like architecture, it has provisions. The buildings are Architectural critics were also of
to be remembered that buildings divided opinion. Some hailed brutalist
durable and tough to demolish
are observed, experienced, judged, buildings as epitome of beauty in
accepted or rejected by not only the but as they withstand time, simplicity and some others found
established intellectual critics but the new times demand new an undesirable lack of warmth and
all sections of the society including level of comfort and ambience friendliness in them. Some called it
the tasteful elite, indifferent middle inside such buildings. pure; some others called it too bare
class and the uninitiated mass on the and uninteresting. From outside,
periphery. So, it might just be better to try to obtain these buildings have a solid massing in general and
the overall reaction of society to buildings, considering a sculpturesque quality but some detractors say these
both the notable individual views and the mass opinion. buildings are hostile from within, the interiors come
Also, the critical assessment of Brutalist buildings is down heavily on the mind of the users. While hailed
approached both from subjective and objective angles. for their less complicated form and a smaller number
Critics who look at Brutalist Architecture from the of materials used, the buildings are often blamed to be
angle of art and culture tend to interpret it as having cold, uninviting and not cosy. Psychologically, these
a distinct identity and style, being sculptural and buildings, from outside, may radiate strength, durability
predominantly of a monochromatic or mini-chromatic and confidence but from inside they are often dull to the
palette. Rather strangely yet with some inherent socio- degree of depressing. The architecture of Le Corbusier
cultural connection, the public art of Russia before and and techno-artistic works of Pier Luigi Nervi show a lot
after the revolution had shown similar traits of harsh of brutalist character before and after the initiation and
and bold and monumental creations to denote a sense of christening of labelled brutalism.
strength in simple but decisive form. Some art critics, As because brutalist buildings used less material
on the contrary, find Brutalist Architecture too harsh or less variety of material and was shorn of so-called
to the degree of arrogant, even intimidating and too superfluity, it found a quantitative avenue into the domain
drab to the degree of unimaginative. Philosophically, of mass housing in post-war and post-revolution periods
they were sometimes called heroic but also labelled as under the aegis of the socialist and welfare states.
too bold to be over-dominating. Some social scientists The durability of the brutalist buildings poses another
and observers called brutalism in architecture a situation regarding the interior provisions. The buildings
subconscious expression of the expanding heartlessness are durable and tough to demolish but as they withstand
time, the new times demand new level of comfort and
ambience inside such buildings. The contemporary
interior provisions including furniture, furnishing,
space conditioning, fittings, fixtures, gadgets, facilities,
services, i.e., the entire issue of contemporary retrofitting
becomes a matter of moral and aesthetic policymaking
and implementational challenge. It is an issue in all old
buildings but it is tougher in case of the brutal.
Revisiting Brutalism
In Architecture, we find that society has changed a
lot, momentous changes have taken place in the individual
and collective human mindset. With the advent of cutting-
edge technologies, relative though lopsided economic
prosperity and increased awareness, the demand for
comfort and status has risen manifold. Now with the
advent of many materials, architects have to satisfy clients
with a great assemblage of interior finishing, fittings,
furnishings, gadgets, fixtures, contraptions, drapery,
furniture, illumination, conditioning etc., as integral
A hotel in Srinagar with Architecture. The new extravagant society sought

exuberance and rejected brutalism in architecture as drab, this resistance and challenges more than the other styles
cold and repulsive, non-luxurious, non-cosy too. Overkill and dwindled to an unceremonious waning. Though
of boldness made it intimidating. Brutalism was branded some buildings still display some signs of being brutalist,
as not cosy enough and instigating indifference, even as a whole, the concerted movement of brutalism in
aggression. The brutal buildings were also called drab and architecture has halted.
hostile to the promotion of warmth and imagination. This Today, the scope and need for the revival or
created a diverse set of forces working for and against reincarnation of Brutalist Architecture might emerge in
the reincarnation of Brutalist Architecture. The sense and the form of a desire for sustainable architecture with a
essence of it is evolving and maybe it requires a novel whole new spirit of simplicity marked by wastelessness.
name for the new age. Now it may come back as “Honestism” or “Frugalism.”
Brutalism in Architecture could flourish as an Today’s challenge is to redefine Brutal Architecture as
unhindered experiment in its heyday due to the power “No-frills Architecture”, plain yet interesting, bold yet
of the new materials and methods of construction. The friendly, tough yet welcoming, artistic yet unembellished,
environmental factor and the sustainability concern was functional yet frugal, with an unwavering target of making
absent. The conscience of the experimenting architect it sustainable. The new task and new choice of direction
was clean on those counts. Today, on one hand the option for brutal Architecture is to mould itself qualitatively
of materials and finishes are too many, yet the advent and quantitatively without sacrificing its functional,
of environmental concern has thrown a fierce force of aesthetic, social and cultural excellence. The new horizon
control in front of free, reckless and concern-less designs. of brutality can be the discovery of a new definition of
Irresponsible imagination and consumerist designs, aesthetics, using the economy of simplicity to fund mass
though rampant still, are no longer lauded. While the provision, absorbing all lessons from the past.
search for identity and distinction in Architecture is still Let contemporary brutalism emerge as candid
on, the bruised society is overly seeking repose in cosy architecture. As Brutalism was a branch of modern
buildings. While all styles of Architecture are subject to architecture, let this new Brutalism be a vanguard of
these new considerations, Brutalist Architecture faced sustainable, futuristic architecture. 
Mann ki Baat
Kabaad se Jugaad
M
eerut Municipal Corporation has beautified Corporation was selected for the ‘Indian Cleanliness
the intersections and parks of the city League’ award under the Swachhata Survey Award by the
with the ‘Kabaad Se Jugaad’ initiative Government of India. It is planned by the Corporation that
undertaken by their team. Prime Minister city beautification work will be taken further by linking it
Narendra Modi appreciated this initiative in his ‘Mann with public participation.
ki Baat’ programme, which boosted the enthusiasm of (Excerpts from Mann ki Baat booklet brought out every
the entire team of the Municipal Corporation. When month by Publications Division, Ministry of Information &
single-use plastic was banned by the Government, it was Broadcasting) 
thought that whatever scrap or junk is lying in sanitation
store should be connected with the city beautification
work, and that is how the ‘Kabaad se Jugaad’ programme Scan the QR code to watch a
was started. Old tyres, drums, and plastic scrap lying in special report on the 'Kabaad se
the store were used to make various shaped installations Jugaad' programme.
installed in the squares of the city. The Meerut Municipal

YE-2118/2022

YE-2109/2022

Recent designs of repute
Statue of Unity
Prof Dr P S N Rao
Prof Dr Anil Dewan
The Statue of Unity is a testimonial to the life of Sardar Patel, a role model of unity and
statesmanship. The tallest statue in the world enjoys a splendidly scenic location facing the
Sardar Sarovar Dam, 3.2 kilometres away. This colossal statue stands on the isle of Sadhu-Bet in
River Narmada, at Ekta Nagar, District Rajpipla in the Indian State of Gujarat, with the majestic
Vindhyachal and Satpuda Mountain Ranges in the backdrop. The statue is fast becoming one of
the country’s top tourist attractions. Aimed to inspire generations, the Statue showcases Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of unity, patriotism, inclusive growth, and good governance.
A
tributary endeavour to the Iron Man of India, makes it an ideal destination for eco-tourism. The bronze
the Statue of Unity is an iconic 182-metre- statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first deputy prime
tall statue situated on the isle of Sadhu-Bet. minister of India took four years to build and eight years
Located between the Mountain Ranges of to design. The monument, created by Indian sculptor Ram
Vindhyachal and Satpuda, this monument has many other V. Sutar, stands almost 50-storey tall and rests on a base
attractive tourist spots in its proximity such as the Valley with three tiers, setting a world record for height. The
of Flowers, the Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary and sacred geometrically designed base is situated on its own riverine
temple, the Sardar Sarovar Dam and its water dykes, the island and is linked to the main land mass by a bridge
scenic Zarwani Falls and majestic palaces of Rajpipla. for vehicles and pedestrians. A visitor’s centre, hotel, and
The grand monument along with a picturesque backdrop exhibition hall are all located inside, and the top of each is
Prof. Dr. P.S.N. Rao is the Director and Professor of Housing, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. Email: [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Anil Dewan is Head of the Department & Professor of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

capped by a memorial garden. The Statue of Unity (SoU)
The statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Engineers had to take will endure as a reminder of Sardar
Patel’s outstanding contribution
Patel that is twice the height of the earthquake and flood risk into
and encouragement to upcoming
Statue of Liberty— seems appropriate account as well as wind speed. generations. The SoU will be the
at this time for a variety of reasons, not The statue will have to contend highest statue in the world at 182 metres
the least of which is that India is seeing with the tunnel effect of winds from the road entry and 208.5 metres
a similar rate of economic expansion
flowing down the river because from the river entry, surpassing China’s
as the US saw during those times.
it was created on an island in the 153-metre-tall Spring Temple Buddha
The Lincoln memorials were erected
and standing nearly twice as tall as the
to serve as a constant reminder of the middle of the Narmada.
Statue of Liberty in New York. To give
man who united a once bitterly-divided
you an idea of its size, consider that the statue is 100 times
nation. It is important to keep in mind that they were
bigger than a person who is around 5' 5" tall.
created by individuals who were concerned about living
in a society where everyone spoke the same language and During the planning and construction stage, strong
practised the same religion, two of the strongest factors problems were presented by natural elements including
that have the potential to unite or divide nations. As Soviet wind and earthquakes. The statue is exposed to the tunnel
leader Nikolai Bulganin pointed out, India’s language and effect of winds sweeping down the river because it is
religious diversity prevented the merger of more than 500 located directly in the centre of the Narmada River. Studies
princely states. Almost solely because of Vallabhbhai of wind patterns over the years found that, in the worst-case
Patel, no royal heads were toppled during the union of scenario, wind speeds of 39 m per second (approximately
princely states with British India to form the current equivalent to 130 km/hr) may buffet the statue. Up to 50 m/s
nation-state. (almost 180 km/hr) of wind speed may be withstood by the
statue thanks to engineering. The challenge isn’t only the
wind blowing against the monument; the structural design
needs to take into account the succession effect it creates
at the back of the statue. Another interesting challenge
was the base which had to be the thinnest owing to the
attire. The walking position also created a 6.4-metre space
between the two feet, which needed to be evaluated for
wind resistance. The statue’s appearance presented another
obstacle. Since Patel’s face was a crucial component, extra
care was taken when casting the facial features that needed
to be accurate. The statue is designed to have its left leg
slightly in front as it moves toward the Sardar Sarovar
Dam, giving the impression that it is walking on water.
A mock-up was made and displayed so that others could
examine it and offer feedback.
The statue is situated in a rural area with mountains,
which made it extremely difficult to bring materials. The
hill and the mainland were connected by a makeshift
Bailey’s bridge. The statue’s base is also higher than the
Narmada dam nearby maximum flood level ever recorded
over a 100-year span. To determine the river level and flow
under various circumstances, an expert consultant carried
out a thorough hydrological analysis. The statue is divided
into five zones in total. The first zone extends up to its
shin and has three levels, including a floor for exhibits, a
mezzanine, and a roof. There will be a memorial garden
and a sizable museum there. Zone 2 reaches the thighs of
the statue at a height of 149 metres, and Zone 3 ascends
to the viewing gallery at a height of 153 metres. Visitors
would be unable to access Zones 4 and 5, with Zone 4
making up the maintenance area and Zone 5 the head and
shoulders.

The methodology followed for structural design as
a two-layered portion of the statue is contained within the
8 mm bronze coating. Two reinforced cement concrete
towers that are 127 metres tall can be found in the deepest
stratum. These towers are chest-high in height. The second
layer is made up of the steel frame that lies in between the
towers and the cladding. There were other engineering
difficulties as well. One is that the Statue of Unity lacks a
larger base like the Statue of Liberty or Christ the Redeemer.
For a structure to be sturdy, the base needs to be
wider. The statue is thicker at the top and thinner at the
bottom. This problem was solved by maintaining a 16:19
slenderness ratio between the statue’s breadth and height,
which is substantially higher than the 8:14 ratio guideline
used in high-rise building design. Two, the statue’s base
is around 25 metres high, which is the height of an eight-
story building. Two enormous elevators located in this area
of the building can quickly transport over 25 people to a
135-metre-high gallery.
Engineers had to take earthquake and flood risk into
account as well as wind speed. The statue will have to
contend with the tunnel effect of winds flowing down the
river because it was created on an island in the middle
of the Narmada. The statue’s walking position caused
a 6.4-metre space to appear between its two feet. The
statue’s covering was designed with overlapping panels
to address these problems and enable vertical and
horizontal movement while still resisting earthquake and
wind effects. There have been two 250-ton mass dampers
utilised, which are installed in buildings to lessen the
amplitude of vibrations.
The statue is hence capable of enduring wind gusts
of over 220 km/h while enduring earthquakes 6.5 on the
Richter Scale or greater. Fourth, the statue’s setting amid far-
off, Mountains made travel difficult of tools and materials
challenging. To make it simpler to get to the island, a
temporary Bailey bridge was built for the monsoon, when
the river has more water, and a rock bridge was made over
shallow water. The statue’s construction required the use of
around 210,000 cubic metres of cement concrete, 18,500
tonnes of reinforced steel, 6,500 tonnes of structural steel,
1,700 tonnes of bronze, and roughly 1,850 tonnes of bronze
cladding, made up of 565 macro and 6,000 micro panels. The
two bridges were used to move the majority of this cargo.
Funding of the statue’s creator is a model of
Public-Private Partnership, with nearly all of the funds raised
by the Gujarat state government. Public also provided money
for sector initiatives within the Corporation’s Plan for social
responsibility. The Statue of Unity is a true feat of engineering.
It honours the engineering prowess of India. 
YE-2141/2022
(Other contributing authors are Dr Khushal Matai

and Dr Amit Kumar Jaglan, both Assistant Professors,
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi)

Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya
T he Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya is a tribute to every Prime Minister of India since Independence, and a narrative
record of how each one has contributed to the development of our nation over the last 75 years. It is a history
of collective effort and powerful evidence of the creative success of India’s democracy. Our Prime Ministers came
from every class and tier of society, for the gates of democracy were equally open to all. Each one left an important
footprint on the journey of development, social harmony, and economic empowerment that has enabled India to give
true meaning to freedom. We inherited an impoverished land from the debris of British colonialism and together gave it
a new life, lifting our country from famished deprivation to food-surplus status, and creating infrastructure over barren
territory for the benefit of the people. The Teen Murti Estate, home to India’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
for 16 years, was the natural environment for Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya because this is a story of continuity.
The Sangrahalaya is a seamless blend that begins at the renovated and refurbished Nehru Museum building, now
completely updated and technologically advanced displays on the life and contribution of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. The
new panorama includes a section that exhibits a large number of rare gifts received by him from all over the world but
never put on display. The saga of modern India starts with the freedom struggle and the making of a great Constitution.
The Sangrahalaya goes on to tell the story of how our Prime Ministers navigated the nation through various challenges
and ensured the all-around progress of the country. Within this story is a message for the younger generation: there are
greater horizons to conquer as we transform India into New India.
The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya has employed technology-based interfaces to encompass heterogeneity in
content and frequent rotation of the display. Holograms, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Multi-touch, Multi-
media, interactive kiosks, computerized kinetic sculptures, smartphone applications, interactive screens, experiential
installations etc. enable the exhibition content to become highly interactive.
Source: www.pmsangrahalaya.gov.in
Our Books
Kishore Dot Com

Authors: Vaishali Deshmukh, Piyali Bhattacharya
Price- Rs 310
Language- Hindi
T his book provides a unique platform of self-awareness to its

young readers. It gives an avenue to understand the bodily
changes, answering their curiosity in an easy language thus
ensuring their emotional and physical well-being at a crucial age.
Brought out by Publications Division, Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting, this book is a must-buy for adolescents and youth.

YE-2134/2022

Do You Know?
Earthquake-Resistant Construction
I
ndia on account of its unique geophysical while the national capital of Delhi is in Zone IV, and the
setting is highly prone to earthquakes of mega cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai are in Zone
varying intensities. The country has faced III. 38 cities with a population of half a million and above
several devastating earthquakes in the past each and a combined population of a million are located
resulting in a large number of deaths and severe property in these three regions.
damage. During the last century, five earthquakes
Multi-storeys constructed with thermocol could be the
measuring M8 or more struck different parts of the
future earthquake-resistant buildings
country. In recent years damaging earthquakes had been
experienced in different parts of the country. Thermocol could be the material of the future for
the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings,
Seismic Zoning
with thermal insulation, and could also save energy
The country has been classified into different zones required to develop construction materials. Researchers
indicating the intensity of damage or frequency of at IIT Roorkee have found that thermocol or Expanded
earthquake occurrences. These zoning maps indicate Polystyrene (EPS) is used as a composite material in
broadly the seismic coefficient that could generally be the core of reinforced concrete sandwich, could resist
adopted for the design of buildings in different parts of earthquake forces on up to four-storey buildings. The
the country. These maps are based on subjective estimates researchers tested a full-scale building and a number of
of intensity from available information on earthquake wall elements constructed with thermocol sandwiched
occurrence, geology, and tectonics of the country. The between two layers of concrete at the National Seismic
Indian seismic zoning is a continuous process that Test Facility (NSTF) of the Department of Earthquake
keeps undergoing changes as more and more data on the Engineering, IIT Roorkee, developed under the Fund for
occurrence of earthquakes becomes available. Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) programme
Considering the recorded history of earthquakes in of Department of Science & Technology (DST),
the country, seismologists have classified 59% of the Government of India.
land mass of India as prone to earthquakes of different Besides resisting earthquakes, the use of an expanded
magnitudes– 11% in very high-risk Zone V, 18% in polystyrene core in the concrete walls of a building
high-risk Zone IV, and 30% in moderate-risk Zone III. can result in thermal comfort. The core provides the
Guwahati and Srinagar are located in Seismic Zone V, necessary insulation against the heat transfer between
Factory-made EPS core panel and welded wire mesh Building skeleton made of factory-made
reinforcement EPS core panels

the building’s interior and
exterior environment. This
can help in keeping the
building interiors cool in
hot environments and warm
during cold conditions. India
suffers a large variation of
temperature in different parts
of the country and during
different seasons of the year.
Therefore, thermal comfort
is a crucial consideration
along with structural safety.
The technology also
has the potential of saving
construction materials and
energy, with an overall
reduction in the carbon
footprint of buildings. It
replaces a large portion of
concrete volume from the
walls and floor/roof. This
replacement of concrete with Seismic zonation and intensity map of India
the extremely lightweight EPS not only reduces mass, technology called semi-confined unreinforced brick
thereby decreasing the earthquake force acting on a building masonry (SC-URBM) can resolve the problem of the
but also diminishes the burden on the natural resources and spread of settlements in earthquake-prone areas with
energy required to produce the cement concrete. constructions that have been built without following
Retrofitting non-earthquake-resistant buildings earthquake-preventive building codes. This technology
for strengthening existing URBM buildings is not only
Researchers have found a solution for retrofitting architecturally aesthetic but can also be implemented
old non-earthquake-resistant buildings with a technology easily by locally-available manpower. 
that can prevent major damage to such buildings from
Source: NIDM, PIB
earthquakes without compromising their strength. The
Spraying and pouring of concrete over the EPS core skeleton and finished building model

YE-2136/2022

Accessibility
Universal Public Designs

Dr Jithendran S
In a heterogeneous society, the goal of every state is to provide equal access to its citizens. When
it comes to physical-public domain design, infrastructure for persons with disabilities assumes
another dimension of architecture. It has certain implications from the special-need quotient
of demography, and disability as an asocial construct. The international community is building
competencies for delivering quality governance on universal designs. India too has initiated
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan as a credible step towards sustainable goals in universal designs.
D
iversity is everywhere, be it in culture, for indexing in terms of life quality. Nordic countries
language, climate, topography, gender and for instance and universal design is a good example of
abilities of people; inclusion stands for vision for inclusive growth. There are three vital aspects
giving freedom for access for all and building of inclusive designs in any situation. One is the social
commonalities. When it comes to residential space, the responsibility or commitment of the entity that evolves
requirements of people vary as per their taste, economic strategies for inclusion. Secondly, the reward to such
means, and functional requirements. But, most of the organisations which initiate such changes, and finally, the
times housing solutions are standardised for common users sustainability of such initiatives.
and not for special needs. There is a standard approach Challenges
for building residential space which traditionally does
not focus people with special needs. But when it comes A major challenge in implementing such changes is
to physical public domain design it assumes another on emphasising the value of such indicatives at the policy
dimension of architecture. It has certain implications for level and at the execution level. Inclusive design is about
the vision of a country on development, accountability
in the use of state’s budgeted funds, and the special need
quotient of demography. When administrators consider
people with all kind of abilities and their accessibility
issues while building public utilities and spaces, it can be
coined as universal design. Universal or inclusive design
provides for a holistic approach in designing public spaces
and utilities.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities (UNCRPD) inspires and focuses on
universal design. It highlights the sovereign government’s
responsibility to make improvements since accessibility is
a right. Member States are responsible for systematically
removing obstacles and creating inclusive solutions
for everyone, irrespective of their functional capacity,
characteristics and preferences (Maria, 2018). When we
look at those countries with high living standards and
An accessible corridor developed in Maulana Azad Medical College,
quality of life, universal design certainly forms a modality Delhi for Persons with Visual Impairment.
The author is an Assistant Professor in Commerce and Research Supervisor at Govt. Arts and Science College, Ambalapuzha, Kerala
University and is visually challenged. Email: [email protected]

Developing Delivering
Discovering Definition of
an architecture the architecture
the real alternatives and
solution with solution with
Exclusion in experience of
expectations from sustainable
architecture special users
end users administration
Basis of Universal Designs

placing people at the heart of the designing process, it In all the domains of public work, an integrated
is about creating buildings and spaces, streets, public approach by incorporating the end users’ feedback can
parks, gardens,etc., that are really comfortable and easy deliver quality of governance to people with differential
for all of us to use. Another challenge in providing abilities. Most importantly, reward for such initiatives
for inclusive architecture is that the people who are of universal designs should be given to build public
working at various capacities in construction are, no consciousness.
doubt, experts in their fields but they lack knowledge Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
about the whole structure, and issues of accessibility
fail to bring those minute changes at their ends for On 3 December 2015 i.e., World Disability Day,
universal designs. Sugamya Bharat has been formulated the Govt. of India launched Accessible India Campaign
by considering all possible lacunae. The country with as a country-wide campaign for achieving universal
such diverse structure demands a systemic approach to accessibility for Persons with Disabilities. It has three
tackle the existing challenges. important components including the build environment,
transportation sector, and the ICT ecosystem.
Approaches and Principles
Built Environment Accessibility
In 1997, a team of architects and designers from North
California State University created a set of principles for a An accessible physical environment benefits
universal design. To understand the suitability of piece of everyone, not just persons with disabilities. Measures are
architecture as universally designed, these principles can taken to eliminate obstacles and barriers to indoor and
be used as a test for suitability. outdoor facilities including schools, medical facilities, and
workplaces. Further, these would include all public spaces
1. A piece of architecture should provide an equitable such as roads, footpaths, parks and gardens, etc.
use for every person irrespective of their differential
ability.
2. A piece of architecture should possess a quality of
flexibility in use.
3. A piece of architecture must have the quality— Simple
and intuitive use.
4. A piece of architecture should have perceptible
information and its layout.
5. A piece of architecture should possess the quality of
tolerating for errors. If people commit mistakes due
to their disability.
6. A piece of architecture should possess the quality of
usage or access should demand low physical effort.
7. A piece of architecture should possess adequate size
and space for use.
Implications
While looking at a strategic approach for engaging
a universal design for system problems, a time-phased
systematic approach is suggested. Disabled-friendly parking in Pune, Maharashtra

An accessible government is largely viewed as a social construct,
building is one, where persons with as such, the right to live independently
disabilities have no barrier to entering Measures are taken to eliminate is not a gesture of mercy rather, it is
it and use all the facilities therein. It obstacles and barriers to indoor a natural claim of decent living. The
covers the built environment – services, and outdoor facilities including present architecture designs ignore
steps and ramps, corridors, entry gates, schools, medical facilities, and the presence of differential abilities of
emergency exits, and parking, as well as workplaces. Further, these would people. They struggle in inadequate
indoor and outdoor facilities including lighting, uneven pavements, stumble
include all public spaces such
lighting, signages, alarm systems, at objects on their movements, pigeon-
and toilets. The technical specificities as roads, footpaths, parks and hole doors and innumerable steps
are covered in ISO 2542:2011, gardens, etc. (for aesthetic appeal) cause point of
Building Construction – Accessibility accidents. To evolve a strategic action
and Usability of the Built Environment, delineates a plan for architecture as universal design for our schools,
set of requirements and recommendations concerning colleges, street, parks, museums, railway station, airports
construction, assembly, components, and fittings. public offices, etc. It must be conceived with a broader
The programme directs that identifying accessible thought process. An egalitarian approach should be inducted
buildings requires annual accessibility audits that to the mindset of designers and architects. Disability should
determine if a building meets agreed standards. be viewed as a persisting possible phenomenon for any
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with demography. In exclusive architectural models, children or
Disabilities is working out a comprehensive code which aged population could also be exposed to risky obstacles
will be a hitherto attempt in Indian context as the first step as it would do to disabled. Universal design will also
towards universal design, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan has indirectly help the state in soliciting the global community
indeed made an affable attempt. to enjoy the iconic tourist spots in India. 
Conclusion Reference
Manmade physical environment is posing enormous 1. Maria Montefusco [email protected]
pressure in the lives of persons with disabilities. Disability Publisher: Ewa Persson Göransson
YE-2127/2022

YE-2137/2022

BUILDING LIFESTYLE
Architecture for Health and Well-Being

Dr Raja Singh
‘We shape our buildings, and afterwards, our buildings shape us.’ – Winston Churchill
W
e have started to spend an extraordinary on simply eradicating the disease. But in reality, the wide
time indoors, which is in contrast to the spectrum of health encompasses preventive, promotive,
earlier times when our lives were in constant curative, rehabilitative and palliative care. India has
sync with nature. Our routines were aligned taken steps in this direction under the Ayushman Bharat
to the rising of the Sun and our circadian rhythms were where we are now opening Health and Wellness Centres.
matched to the Sun’s. In our current lifestyles, we are This shifts the Indian healthcare approach from selective,
fast dependent on the building amenities and utilities that curative healthcare to the one which includes concepts of
power us on a day-to-day basis. This includes artificial well-being embedded into it.
lighting and artificial means of ventilating space. The
indoor-based lifestyle that we have chosen for ourselves, Let us see some historical perspectives. All India
if not possible to be reversed, should most definitely be Sanitary Conference that was held in Lucknow in 1914
optimised so that it must take care of our health and well- laid the foundation of the current paradigm of building and
being. Contrary to our general perception linked only to city planning, by including the concepts of health and well-
its relation with diseases, the World Health Organization being. The concept of having an appropriate light place in
gives a more wholesome definition of health which is the streets was introduced and the width of the abutting
‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well- streets was made in accordance to the light. This would
being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.’ ensure adequate sunlight supply to the interior spaces of
This definition breaks the bounds in which the erstwhile the buildings. This forms the basis of all urban bylaws and
global thought was headed to, i.e., having a concentration city plans made later in India. Sunlight, along with natural
Open gyms are inculcating a habit of working-out midst the nature
The author is visiting faculty in the Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi where he is currently
also teaching an elective on Building Laws and Public Health. Email: [email protected]

texture, hold the key to a healthy
life. Bicycle tracks, availability of
bicycles, no car zones, green spaces,
and other measures in cities form the
basis of a more active lifestyle. The
use of interior products in buildings
that are non-carcinogenic in nature
like paints, furniture finishes, and
upholstery is necessary for the
prevention of built of volatile organic
compounds which are proven to be
carcinogenic on longer exposures.
As far as the psychosomatic angle
is concerned, the mere promise of
architecture to create feasts for the
eyes and the soul is not overrated. A
well-designed building is an antidote
to the daily humdrum of office work
and a release from stress.
Kevadiya Railway Station in Gujarat is equipped with energy efficient lighting India, in recent times, has made
and is the first railway station with a Green Building Certification strides in terms of architecture.
Wherever we go, we see great
ventilation was considered the panacea. It was considered ambitious projects that are creating unprecedented levels
as the remedy against the ills of the time like Tuberculosis, of identity enhancement for us. We are creating the tallest
long before we had access to drugs which cure it today. It statues in the world to great convention centres that make
is argued that the modernist movement in architecture was us capable of hosting International events that give India
developed as a result of not only the industrial revolution its rightful place in the world today. But what is the impact
but also as the result of the sanatoria which were an answer on healthcare? These large community spaces also have
to the diseases we faced in the past. In the same conference a big component of indoor environmental quality and
was a display of a mosquito-proof house, which today we related well-being. The air inside of these spaces needs
can manifest as a house which has something as innocent
as a wire mesh in the windows. These basic remedies, taken
far more granted than ever before, may be the answers that
thoughtful architecture can provide.
If we look at all the great cities in the world that Indians
flock year by year to visit as tourists and even to immigrate,
we would be surprised by their history. London and Paris
faced great fires and were also associated with Great Stinks.
These cities dealt with problems of hygiene, sanitation and
disease that we as a developing nation are facing today.
But we definitely have the advantage of the late start. We
can save ourselves from overt experimentation, based on
tested results of urban experiments that were performed
in the West. We can also incorporate, at the draft board
stage, our traditional learning of city planning and hygiene,
which we have lost with the ages.
In continuation of dealing with health and well-
being, India also faces the crisis of non-infectious, non-
communicable disease load. But what does this have to
do in a conversation about architecture? To our surprise,
architecture and city planning are closely linked to the
reduction in non-communicable diseases if proper thought
is put in place. The proximities of spaces for work-out Phase I of the Bhoomiheen Camp, Delhi has 3024
and recreation includinge parks, integrated with our urban ready-to-move-in flats for slum-dweller beneficiaries

as much importance that we provide The possible way of achieving
to the outdoor ambient air. From the The proximities of spaces this is by incorporating all the state-
point of view of occupational health of-the-art building codes and standards
and prevention of airborne infection
for work-out and recreation that the Bureau of Indian Standards
spread, we are now designing indoor includinge parks, integrated publishes. This includes the National
air standards and suitable mechanisms with our urban texture, hold Building Code 2016 along with other
to make these indoor spaces healthy the key to a healthy life. Bicycle sub-codes like SP-41 or the Handbook
and aimed towards indoor well-being. tracks, availability of bicycles, of Functional Requirements of
The victory of the civilisation no car zones, green spaces, Buildings. We have also created the
lies in the provision of good quality and other measures in cities National Lighting Code which deals
housing to the commoners with the form the basis of a more active with visual comfort in spaces, an often
same intensity with which buildings overlooked factor. For creating healthy
of national importance are planned
lifestyle required to fight heart buildings, we don’t have to look
and built. The government’s Pradhan conditions. elsewhere, but only inwards. Architects
Mantri Awas Yojana is an initiative and practitioners who follow even the
to provide affordable housing to the urban poor. A non-mandatory parts of the Indian Standards are ensuring
civilisation with great monumental buildings for the a safe, healthy and sturdy building space.
government along with world-class housing for the poor We, as a nation, have the capability to be the guiding
is sure-shot pathway for the balanced development of a light of the world in terms of providing the requirements
great nation. for well-being that our age-old knowledge as well as the
What is most required that our pre-existing focus on current institutions are providing. Architecture and City
health and well-being must be given a renewed vigour so Planning are the mainstays and key ingredients of health
that our each and every building is designed for health and and well-being for the building inhabitants and city
well-being. This will have a multiplier effect on the overall dwellers. This fact must be reinvented with each passing
health and well-being of the nation as a whole. building and each new city plan. 
YE-2114/2022

YE-2132/2022

India’s G20 Presidency: Significance & Opportunities
“India’s G20 Presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented...Over
the next year, we will strive to ensure that the G20 acts as a global prime mover to envision
new ideas and accelerate collective action…Together, we will make the G20, a catalyst for
global change.”
– PM Narendra Modi’s remarks at the Closing Session of the
G20 Summit in Bali on 16 November 2022
T
he Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier in focus areas that impact the most vulnerable and
forum for international economic disadvantaged.
cooperation. It plays an important role in The G20 mantra is - One Earth, One Family, One
shaping and strengthening global architecture Future. It is these thoughts and values of India that pave
and governance on all major international economic issues. the way for the welfare of the world. India’s Presidency
The G20 members represent around 85% of the global will not only be a memorable one for the country, but the
GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of future will also assess it as a momentous occasion in the
the world population. history of the world.
India’s Presidency New Delhi Summit
India is holding the Presidency of the G20 from The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit
1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023 which offers a will take place on 9-10 September 2023 in New Delhi.
unique opportunity to contribute to the global agenda on The Summit will be a culmination of all the G20 processes
pressing issues of international importance. India maintains and meetings held throughout the year among ministers,
close relations with developed countries on the one hand, senior officials, and civil societies. A G20 Leaders’
and at the same time understands and expresses the views Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New
of developing countries very well. Guided by the Prime Delhi Summit, stating Leaders’ commitment towards the
Minister’s vision, India’s foreign policy has been evolving priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective
to undertake leadership roles on the global stage. ministerial and working group meetings.
The G20 President
sets the agenda for the
year, identifies the themes
and focus areas, conducts
discussions, and delivers
the outcome documents.
India will identify, highlight,
develop and strengthen
international support for
priorities of vital importance
in diverse social and
economic sectors, ranging
from energy, agriculture,
trade, digital economy,
health, and environment to
employment, tourism, anti-
corruption, and women’s The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo symbolically handed over the G20 Presidency to
empowerment, including PM Narendra Modi at G20 Summit, in Bali, Indonesia on 16 November 2022.

G20 Presidencies
Genesis of G20 inviting ISA, CDRI and ADB as Guest IOs.

The G20 was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial Working of G20
crisis as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank 1. The G20 Presidency steers the G20 agenda for one year
Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues. and hosts the Summit. The G20 consists of two parallel
It was upgraded to the level of Heads of State/Government tracks: the Finance Track and the Sherpa Track. Finance
in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of Ministers and Central Bank Governors lead the Finance
2007, and, in 2009, was designated the “premier forum for Track while Sherpas lead the Sherpa Track.
international economic cooperation”.
2. Within the two tracks, there are thematically oriented
The G20 initially focused largely on broad working groups in which representatives from the
macroeconomic issues, but it has since expanded its agenda relevant ministries of the members as well as from
to inter-alia including trade, climate change, sustainable invited/guest countries and various international
development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, organizations participate. The Sherpas oversee
climate change, and anti-corruption. negotiations over the course of the year, discussing
G20 Members agenda items for the Summit and coordinating the
The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries substantive work of the G20.
(Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, 3. There are Engagement Groups that bring together civil
Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, societies, parliamentarians, think tanks, women, youth,
Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United labour, businesses, and researchers of the G20 countries.
Kingdom and the United States) and the European Union. 4. The Group does not have a permanent secretariat.
In addition to the regular International Organizations The Presidency is supported by the Troika – previous,
(IOs) (UN, IMF, WB, WHO, WTO, ILO, FSB, and OECD) current, and incoming Presidencies. During India’s
and Chairs of Regional Organizations (AU, AUDA- Presidency, the troika comprises Indonesia, India, and
NEPAD, and ASEAN), India, as G20 Presidency, will be Brazil, respectively.
Logo and Theme

T he G20 logo draws inspiration from
the vibrant colours of India’s national
flag – saffron, white and green, and blue.
the value of all life – human, animal,
plant, and microorganisms – and their
interconnectedness on the planet Earth
It juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, and in the wider universe.
India’s national flower that reflects growth The theme also spotlights LiFE
amid challenges. The Earth reflects India’s (Lifestyle for Environment), with its
pro-planet approach to life, one in perfect associated, environmentally sustainable,
harmony with nature. and responsible choices, both at the level of
The theme of India’s G20 Presidency -“Vasudhaiva individual lifestyles as well as national development.
Kutumbakam” or “One Earth One Family One The logo and the theme together convey a powerful
Future” is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of message of India’s G20 Presidency, which is of striving
the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms for just and equitable growth for all in the world. 
Source: PIB Research Unit

YE-2119/2022

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Our Books
Interpreting Geometries— Flooring of Rashtrapati Bhavan

Authors’ Team: Chandigarh College of Architecture, Chandigarh
Language: English, Price: 2870/-
T
his book unveils historic flooring patterns of the H-shaped building. The following two chapters are
the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the residence of the dedicated to the documentation and decoding of the flooring
first citizen of the country, wherein authors patterns where each chapter is a repository of patterns on
have mapped, documented, and thereafter two floors, that is, the Upper Basement Floor and the Main
decoded intricate flooring compositions of the Rashtrapati Floor. These chapters contain multiple architectural floor
Bhavan, New Delhi. The idea of this publication stems plan drawings, flooring pattern drawings, and interpretation
from the inherent importance and value of the complex. sketches to understand the design of flooring in various
An initial reconnaissance survey of the Rashtrapati steps. The authors have done decoding of the patterns
Bhavan revealed exquisite patterns of flooring with unique on the basis of available archival drawings of flooring
geometric layouts and compositions. These flooring created by Edwin Lutyens during the commencement of
patterns, which are both floral and abstract, run through the the project, based upon an understanding of the system of
different areas of the complex proportions and principles of
and yet bind together the design (symmetry, rhythm,
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entrance halls, staircases, The volume examines
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and attendant spaces. The of which a step-by-step
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enhances the spatial quality, chapters commences with a
sequentially, and the flow key plan of the entire floor
of spaces from one area showing the location of
into another. It is a unique each decoded pattern. The
example where a building decoding of every pattern
of such colossal and palatial starts with an explanation
nature and proportions in of the spatial setting of the
India has deployed the art area showing the floor plan
of geometry in flooring and by way of two-dimensional
this has further enhanced the drawings. Further, steps
exuberance, grandness, and lead to the explanation of
historic value of the residence each flooring pattern with
of the country’s first citizen. respect to the structural
Thus, it became imperative for the authors to document grids, enclosures defined placement of openings, and
this unique repository of flooring patterns designed by Sir visual and spatial axes to understand the overall evolution
Edwin Lutyens for the abode of the Viceroy of India in of the flooring pattern. In the last step, one can find the
1912 (a project that lasted until 1929). complete documented flooring with its colour scheme and
The volume deals with the important halls of the stone cuts. After the decoding steps, a tracing/gateway
central area of the H-shaped building. The introductory sheet is attached with each pattern to highlight detailed
chapter describes the design philosophy and inception of stone cuts documented by the authors on the site. 
the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill and the inspiration Note: The motifs used in this issue of Yojana are taken from
that led to the creation of such unique flooring designs in this book.
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December 2022 a development monthly

Brihadeeshwara Temple – A Stand-Alone Marvel

Revisiting ‘Brutalist’ Architecture

Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.

Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan,

4 YOJANA December 2022

A rchitecture defines a space. It is the body and

YOJANA December 2022 5

6 YOJANA December 2022

Re-structuring Urban Galaxies

YOJANA December 2022 7

8 YOJANA December 2022

YOJANA December 2022 9

Should we not instead of only visiting museums and old

10 YOJANA December 2022

Central Vista Redevelopment Project

YOJANA December 2022 11

12 YOJANA December 2022

YOJANA December 2022 13

Sales Outlets of Publications Division

14 YOJANA December 2022

YOJANA December 2022 15

• The work of Kartavya Path started in March, 2021

T he Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has

Source: PIB and MyGov

18 YOJANA December 2022

Development of Historic City Centres

YOJANA December 2022 19

20 YOJANA December 2022

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22 YOJANA December 2022

Brihadeeshwara Temple – A Stand-Alone Marvel

YOJANA December 2022 23

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26 YOJANA December 2022

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Revisiting ‘Brutalist’ Architecture

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(Other contributing authors are Dr Khushal Matai

YOJANA December 2022 37

Kishore Dot Com

T his book provides a unique platform of self-awareness to its

38 YOJANA December 2022

YOJANA December 2022 39

40 YOJANA December 2022

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42 YOJANA December 2022

Universal Public Designs

YOJANA December 2022 43

Basis of Universal Designs

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