chandigargh.pptx...............................

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1. Le Corbusier's traffic system followed Mayer's lines but was more elaborate; he called it Les Sept Voies de Circulation, or Seven Vs. The rationale of his planning was the motor car. "From his early studies in urbanism, Le Corbusier had identified the motor car as the central factor of modern town planning. His initial, primarily aesthetic, quasi-Futurist response to the motor car and to rapid movement in the cities had, by 1950, metamorphosed into a theoretical solution to the problems of modern traffic -- a graded system of circulation, from crossing continents to walking to the front door. [As Le Corbusier put it] 'The 7 Vs act in the town plan as the bloodstream, the lymph system and the respiratory system act in biology. These systems are quite rational, they are different from each other, there is no confusion between them, yet they are in harmony ... It is for us to learn from them when we are organising the ground that lies beneath our feet. The 7Vs are no longer the sinister instruments of death, but become an organised hierarchy of roads which can bring modern traffic circulation under control'." [ Prasad Sunand , 1987].

2. The 7Vs establishes a hierarchy of traffic circulation ranging from : arterial roads (V1), major boulevards (V2) sector definers (V3), shopping streets (V4), neighbourhood streets (V5), access lanes (V6) and pedestrian paths and cycle tracks (V7s and V8s). The essence of his plan for Chandigarh rests on preserving intact the true functions of these seven types of roads.[For details see Le Corbusier's Statue of Land]

3. he entrance of cars into the sectors, which are exclusively reserved to family life, can take place on four points only; in the middle of the 1,200 meters; in the middle of the 800 meters. All stoppage of circulation shall be prohibited at the four circuses, at the angles of the sectors. The bus stops are provided each time at 200 meters from the circus so as to served the four pedestrian entrances into a sector. Thus the transit traffic takes place out of the sectors; the sectors being surrounded by four wall-bound car roads without openings (the V3s). The road system was so designed that "never a door will open on the surrounding V3s: precisely the four surrounding V3s must be separated from the sector by a blind wall all along." Buses can ply on the V4s, the horizontal connection between contiguous sectors, but not within the sector interiors. [ Evenson , Norma, 1966]

4. The hierarchy of open space is prominently visible in the city. At the city level, the open space consist of the Leisure Valley and special gardens. At sector level, the open space constitute the central green in each sector whereas open space at community level consist of parks around which clusters of houses re arranged. The smallest category of open space is the courtyards provided in each dwelling on the front and rear side

5. Architectural Controls In important civic areas, aesthetical harmony between all buildings is a must because architectural is a visual art and the visual impact forms should be as beautiful and organized as can be. Accordingly, to curb undue individualism in the built environment, Le Corbusier conceived a number of mechanisms to regulate the development of private buildings in the city. These included architectural controls, frame controls and zoning controls in the city. The basic aim was to maintain uniformity in skyline, heights and the architectural character. Architectural controls is applicable specially to buildings to be built by private enterprise in special areas of architectural interest such s V-2 roads, V-4 roads, City Centre etc. Further controls on private construction in the city have been imposed through building byelaws, which govern and lay down the minimum standards of light ventilation, living area and sanitation. Each plot of land in the city is governed by the specific use and building volume that can be developed on it through ‘zoning restriction’. In small residential houses frames control was devised which is an architectural element limiting projection lines and unifying heights. Opening of desired size and shape may be arranged within this frame as per individual requirements. Similarly in shopping street, architectural order is ensured by development of shops as architectural controls. This ensures harmonious development in accordance to the plan.

6. Garden City Soon after the decision to build a new capital city was taken, an apex body called "The Secretariat Committee of the Capital Project" was formed to steer the course of development of the city. In the draft instructions formulated by it on the nature of physical development of Chandigarh, the idea of having a Garden City was mooted. The quest for 'Garden City' by the developers was because of the colonies developed by the British had the look of broad shady tree lined avenues, bungalows with sprawling open spaces, which had a strong impact on the minds of Chandigarh's founding fathers. The Rose Garden Serenity and city - are two opposite things. However this phenomenon is belied in the City Beautiful. The numerous picturesque greens in the city enable the citizens to get away from the daily grind and merge with the nature. Whether it is a morning walk or evening walk through the Rose Garden in the leisure valley, all provide an invigorating experience. The rose garden designed by M.N.Sharma was built as a part of the green belt and has a large variety of roses and a large fountain to relax the soul. Every walk through the garden is a lively freshening experience. The large stretch of greens dotted with bountiful flowers of varying hues lends a great place, which attracts many people.

7. Sukhna Lake Sukhna Lake is a large man made water body conceived by Le Corbusier on the North East face of the City. It is fed by water from the Catchment area of the seasonal rivulets on the foothills of the Shivaliks . It is a major recreation zone of the city and offers best in water sports, pedestrian and various other sports activities. The Rock Garden Spread over the several acres, this fantasyland designed by Padam Shri Nek Chand is a vast open-air museum that showcases a vast array of natural rock forms and stones. The Rock Garden was not a part of the original Master Plan as conceived by Le Corbusier. The layout of the garden is based on the fantasy of the lost kingdom. The moment one enters the garden; the small entrance doors that make the heads bow create an ambience of royal grandeur and humbleness. One has to pass through a variety of doorways, archways, vestibules, streets and lanes of different scale dimensions, each one opening into a new array of displays or courtyards and chambers lending an air of suspense. The garden consisting of fourteen chambers houses natural rock forms, a pond, and a hut in the main court. Another phase of the garden comprises the grand palace complex, minars ; waterfalls, open air theatre, village mountains, over bridges, pavilions and areas for royal pleasures. The trees and route sculptures offer a powerful counterpoint to the exiting vegetation. The figures & sculptures made from broken bangles, glass, glazed tiles and electrical fittings are a visual treat and bring out the sheer joy of human creativity.

8. Landscaping Le Corbusier conceived the tree plantation and landscaping for the City in harmony with the beautiful natural settings of Shivalik Hills. He studied the various species of trees, their shapes, foliage and colour of flowers etc. before planning landscape scheme for three great urban elements roads, urban spaces and free spaces such as the leisure valley and the parks. Dr. M. S. Randhawa as Chairman of Chandigarh Landscape committee was mainly responsible for implementation of landscaping of the city as conceived by Le Corbusier. Leisure Valley The leisure valley is a green sprawling space extending North-East to South-West along a seasonal choe and was conceived by Le Corbusier as the lungs of the city. The fitness trails and the other gardens along the green belt, which passes through the city, offer quiet a retreat at all hours of the day, orchestrating life's subtler impulses and heightening the spiritual experience. ​

9. PRESENT STATUS OF ROAD NETWORK The 7V Circulation System has served the city well for decades . However the same is now under extreme pressure, both internal and external, which has begun to affect its efficiency. The concept of the self contained neighbourhood intended to meet all the daily needs of the residents within walking distance without having to go outside the sector has not been fully successful ; freedom of choice for schools, shopping centres etc. outside the sectors results in inter sector movement of fast and slow vehicles acrossthe city. Further, Le Corbusier’s concept of the 7Vs has not been fully implemented. Detailed planning of the road network/road sections of each category of road was done in great detail by the original team including road carriageways, pedestrian and cycle tracks, tree plantation, and street lighting. Phased development of the system was planned to enable the infrastructure to keep pace with the growth of the town. Pedestrian pathways and cycle tracks not fully built The V7s and V8s intended exclusively for the pedestrians and the cyclists respectively crossing road intersections by underpasses have not been implemented so far.

10. Vision “One day people will come to Chandigarh to see the park wherein one does not see the automobile, where one sees the nature (a very impressive nature ).” Le Corbusier The Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 vision for the traffic and transportation in Chandigarh is in sync with above quotation. The GOIs National Urban Transport Policy advocates people centric well contained city with efficient people-friendly transport system with minimum travel time & maximum safety and comfort that aims at reducing dependence on cars, with widespread use of non- motorised modes and mass rapid transit system. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE – TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PLANNING

11. GOALS • To improve connectivity and travel throughout the city and its region. • To improve mobility within neighborhoods, wards, zones and satellite towns to address inner- and inter-city transportation needs to offer viable and reliable transportation options. At the same time the facility provided should be optimally used. • Maintaining Chandigarh’s outstanding universal appeal of a green, clean and spacious town which does not buckle under pressure . • Adopting best practices -Use of green and energy efficient transportation modes which cause least damage to the environment. • Sixty to seventy percent of total trips should be made by public transport, with one (or two) modal changes. • Maximum population should be served by public transport. • Trip origins and destination to be within 500m of public transport terminal and stops . • Safe and convenient pedestrian/NMV facilities throughout the urban area. • Safe bicycle lanes shall be provided to reach the public transport system, with secure bicycle parking provided for those who do not have access to public transport within walking distance. • Integrated urban land use and transport system resulting in efficient and sustainable mobility for everyone and provide greater accessibility to opportunities (e.g. employment, education, health, goods, and other services).

12. Cycle Facilities Their use in Chandigarh is not significant but still this needs to be encouraged on environmental considerations. Provision for safer and better section of road or cycle track is the best way to keep them on roads. Therefore, it is proposed to revive V7 and V8 roads as intended for bicycles. About 60 Km of cycle network has been identified with proposed cycle underpasses across V-2 or V-3 roads. In addition the existing cycle tracks along V3 roads will be improved and provided with proper integration along with the zebra crossing near intersection.

13. Special provisions are being made for pedestrians and cyclists in the city as per the original plan wherein the 7V road network was designed for safe movement of pedestrians and V8s were subsequently added as cycle tracks along major roads. The pedestrians and cycles were to move along city greens and interconnected through underpasses across intercepting vehicular roads. Revival of this concept is strongly recommended however would entail a close look at the existing development wherein the central greens have been developed to a large extent as city level parks/gardens. Visits to sites indicate that revival of the concept is practically possible. In this context, 11 longitudinal green belts, as under, have been delineated which are to be developed as green corridors both for the pedestrians and cyclists. CHANDIGARH TO BE PROMOTED AS A PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE FRIENDLY CITY

14. The present plan of  Chandigarh  is based on the grid-iron pattern whose structure is defined by a carefully planned road network consisting of seven types of roads. V-1 ROADS: These are for fast moving traffic that connects Chandigarh to other towns. They have dual carriage-ways lined with trees and distinctive lighting that makes the approach to Chandigarh heart-warming. V-2 ROADS: These are vehicular arterial roads. In Chandigarh that are identified as ‘ Margs ’. Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg are the two principal V-2s of the city. They merge into the V-1s. Other important V-2s are Jan Marg, Himalaya Marg and Uttar Marg. V-3 ROADS: These make the next layer of connecting vehicular roads binding the sectors to the arterial roads. The regular grid formed by the V-3 roads define each sector’s boundary. V-4 ROADS: These bisect a sector and have shopping areas and other conveniences located along them. Connections with adjoining neighbourhood were made through these roads, forming one long continuous ribbon from east to west besides the bands of open spaces that cut across the sector in the perpendicular direction.

15. V-4 shopping streets cut through the sectors with shops on their southern side. They are placed keeping in the mind the direction of the sun so that anyone walking along the commercial area will always walk in shade. V-5 ROADS: These are the circulation roads within a sector. They meander through the sector giving access to its inner lanes, V-6 are access roads to the houses. V-7 ROADS: These were planned to be the streets running through the middle of the sectors in the green areas. They are intended for pedestrian movement only. The bicycle tracks are conceptually planned to run parallel to these pedestrian pathways. These 7 ‘V’s were planned in a manner for the city to have a comfortable pedestrian movement within and in between the sectors, while also permitting the benefits of fast movement for vehicular traffic. Because of this layout, the sectors are easily walkable – it barely takes 15 minutes to reach from one corner of a sector to its centre . Le Corbusier likened this road network to the blood circulation system of the human body. This structured planning of the road network not only defines the urban pattern of Chandigarh but also filters the vehicular and pedestrian traffic in order to enable smooth movement throughout the city.

16. ROADS The roads of the city are classified into seven categories known as systems of 7 Vs as below : •V-1 Fast roads connecting Chandigarh to other towns. •V-2 Arterial roads. •V-3 Fast vehicular sector dividing roads. •V-4 Meandering shopping streets. •V-5 Sector circulation roads. •V-6 Access roads to houses. •V-7 Foot paths and cycle tracks.