Re-Centering Delhi - Rajpath Cultural Transect

University of Virginia, University of Virginia School of Architecture

Project idea

The explosive development of Delhi after Imperial British rule began a process of expansion away from the sacred Yamuna River resulting in a frayed urban fabric and a lack of shared social identity. The centrally located, British designed government zone - Lutyens’ Delhi - epitomizes this physical and psychological divide; to this day the urban fabric embodies a political power structure which resists moments of reflection and shared identity necessary for the development of a cohesive societyl, leading to issues of growth, waste, water, health, war, and oppression.

Site visits and research of existing conditions show a segmented urban fabric that restricts pedestrian movement and public space. Walking the site finds disconnects between the Rajpath Axis and the Yamuna, past the historic Indian fort Purana Quila, between contemporary sites such as the National Stadium, national museums, and convention grounds (Pragati Maidan), and India Gate park. The city and river are disconnected, walled off internally and from each other, resulting in an oppressive unused space often guarded by barbed wire, guard posts, and visible paramilitary.

This project proposes a reprieve from the city, a space in which shared identity can emerge.

Project description

The project begins through an analysis of the city by transect, not zone, seeking to reveal the latent identity of the urban fabric and speculating on new adjacencies. Existing built fabric, landscape, and water systems are mapped and analyzed. The new urban plan emerges from these conditions and integrates itself into the existing city.

The project stitches together existing urban fabric and proposed cultural buildings through a 3km public park. The introduction of this new system reorients the city to its history and culture, connect to nature, establishes democratic space and allows for a new memory to emerge through moments of recognition between individuals. An urban forum of public space and cultural institutions is founded: a Cultural Transect for an Independent India. Along this forum Indian history and identity can be experienced through a sequence of events representing the many ancient forms and landscapes found across diverse regions of India. The forum allows citizens to envision a network between the past, present, and future, nature and city, culture, education, and the arts, creating a shared democratic space. A shared cultural identity emerges over time through moments of recognition and shared experience of a free people.

Technical information

Site Photos
Sketches
Urban Analysis
Urban Plan
Building Plans + Elevations
Renderings