The new Delhi-2041 Master Plan, the city’s vision document for the next 20 years, is likely to focus on a number of issues that were not addressed in the current plan (Delhi-2021 Master Plan). Emphasis will be placed on critical urban development policies, such as Transit Oriented Development, which was mentioned in MPD-2021 but could not be implemented.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has engaged the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), an advisory body on urban development to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, for the preparation of MPD-2041. The two organizations are currently holding public consultations on the plan.
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Here are the five issues the new MPD-2041 will likely address or focus on especially:
one.The air pollution: To address this problem, officials involved in the development of MPD-2041 are analyzing pollution and traffic data and comparing it with advanced geographic information to get a broader idea of the factors that could be affecting air quality. Solutions could include planning more green areas, promoting walking by improving sidewalks and traffic networks, and making changes that could limit or divert the entry of heavy vehicles, one of the most important sources of pollution.
two.Accessibility on foot: The DDA had notified the policy to “improve walkability” in the city last year. Key features of the draft policy include time-bound implementation of the area-specific ‘walk plan’, a centralized city-wide monitoring system, and a ‘walk through Delhi’ monitoring and coordination committee, among others. measurements. The focus will be on making the city, especially the areas around residential neighborhoods, markets, etc., pedestrian-friendly.
3.Unauthorized colonies: Last year, the Center had started the process to grant property rights to the residents of 1,731 unauthorized colonies in Delhi. About four million people living in these colonies have been left out of planning. The new MPD will focus on infrastructure development in these colonias. DDA and NIUA recently held a public consultation with the residents of these neighborhoods to learn about their problems.
Four.Pandemic resistance: The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live; Social distancing and protective gear are now the new normal. The pandemic has put the focus on the disaster management strategy in the master plan, which until now has mainly referred to earthquakes and floods. Based on the learnings from Covid-19, urban planners are looking for provisions to make the city resilient.
5. Blue Green Policy: The plan is to reactivate the water bodies and clean the drains and integrate it with the green areas that surround it so that it can be used as a recreational space.
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