‘Redensification’ planned in some first phase sectors

The Chandigarh Administration had proposed redensification in the whole of first phase. It was proposed that this could either be done by allowing apartments or by giving a nod to division of large plots into smaller ones.

The proposal was also sent to the Union Ministry of Urban Development as part of a report. The clearance came from the ministry for redensification of the government houses.

Some of the government houses were constructed around six decades ago. These were designed by the creators of the city. These are in a state of neglect. It has been recommended that redensification exercise will need to be conducted sensitively so as not to disturb the socio-economic structure of the city but rather to rectify the imbalances and make the city inclusive.

It is proposed that the new built form should be designed to be energy efficient,with zero discharge,adequate parking facilities,low rise and of an architectural character in consonance with the Chandigarh style of architecture. The design would keep in mind the basic principles of planning that are inherent in the concept of Chandigarh.

A senior official of the Administration said that initially redensification of the government houses will be done. “While it had been proposed that the redensification in the first phase sectors will be done,initially it is in the government houses where the work would be taken up. Certain houses in the sectors would be preserved,” said the official.

Meanwhile,some of the government houses would be given the heritage status. These include the government houses of chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana.

Government houses for the judges and the chief justice in Sector 4 would also be given the status of heritage buildings. House number 56,Sector 5 would be dedicated to architect Pierre Jeanneret,the cousin of Le Corbusier.