(11-30)Revitalizing Urban Core as a Strategy for Urban Regeneration- 28-7-26.pdf

Journal of Research in Infrastructure Designing
Page No. 11 http://www.hbrppublication.com 2026:9 (2), 11-30
e-ISSN: 3107-3778
Volume 09 Issue 02
Jul-Dec 2026
Corresponding Author:
Jit Kumar Gupta,
Former Advisor, Town
Planning, Puda, Punjab,
India
Submission Date: Aug 3,
2026
Copyright Received
Date : Aug 5, 2026
Published Date: Aug 13,
2025
Cite as:
Jit Kumar Gupta. (2026).
Revitalizing Urban Core
as a Strategy for Urban
Regeneration: Re-
development of Walled
City, Amritsar. Journal of
Research in
Infrastructure Designing,
9(2), 11–30.
https://doi.org/10.5281/ze
nodo.21913635
Revitalizing Urban Core as a Strategy for
Urban Regeneration: Re-development of
Walled City, Amritsar
Jit Kumar Gupta
Former Advisor, Town Planning, Puda, Punjab, India
_______________________________________________
ABSTRACT
Marking the origin and forming first layer of any urban
settlement, urban cores/walled cities, remain different distinct
and unique. Defining, history, culture and social fabric of the
local communities, walled cities are invariably revered and
valued. Showcasing valuable heritage and housing iconic
religious and cultural institutions, core areas/walled cities are
considered as heart and soul of any settlement. Despite
housing large population in a small area and making large
contributions to economy and employment, core areas/walled
cities, are reeling under enormous stress and strain,
generated by rapid urbanization, uncontrolled physical
growth /expansion and induction of large number of vehicles
in the core city. In the process majority of core areas/walled
cities are facing slow damage and destruction of core values,
built heritage and existing culture. Lack of appropriate
mechanism of growth and development, absence of any policy
framework besides lack of capacity, capability, expertise,
resources, skill and manpower available with the agencies
involved with planning, development and management at the
local level, are causing enormous damage to the history,
culture and social fabric of the local communities. Looking at
the role, relevance and importance of the core areas/walled
cities, paper tries to identify critical issues which are
responsible for the damage and destruction of the valuable
history, culture and the heritage in these areas and make
suggestions for its rational development. Tracing the history
of the origin and growth of the Walled city of Amritsar, paper
tries to identify the developmental challenges faced by the
city, identify reasons for such challenges and suggest a
framework/ options, which can be leveraged for making
walled city of Amritsar, economically efficient,
socially/culturally vibrant, physically livable and
environmentally sustainable besides becoming a repository of
valuable history and heritage.
Keywords: Pedestrianization, Congestion, open spaces,
heritage, infrastructures
________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION
Forming heart and soul, walled cities form
integral part of the urban growth and
development of all historic settlements.
They demonstrate the pattern of growth;
provide narrative for the reasons which
went into making and growth of settlement
besides showcasing its history, culture,
economic and social fabric. Core areas
remain critical and valuable for branding
cities, attracting businesses, showcasing
their past glory and attracting
tourists/visitors. If core areas are not
valued, preserved and conserved; cities
invariably lose their identity and past
linkages with history, culture, ownership
and heritage.[1]
Walled city& urban core remain valuable-
historically & culturally. They function as
Heart and Soul and operate as the nerve
centre of the city; bestowing a distinct
character & identity to city; operate as a
hub of trade & commerce; make large
contribution to urban economy; house
large volume of heritage; generate large
proportion of employment; ensure self-
sufficiency in day to day living; promote
proximity to living & working by opting
for mixed land use; provide easy access to
basic amenities , besides creating social
Vibrancy and attracting large number of
tourists.[2]
Housing large proportion of urban
population in limited area, urban
core/walled cities invariably remain
crowded and are known for high density,
congestion, overcrowding of people in
buildings & overcrowding of buildings on
land. Due to inherent character and genesis
of its origin, marked by narrow roads,
walled cities face numerous challenges of
growth and development, in terms of; large
scale unplanned sub-division of land, high
degree of obsolesce; incompatible land-
uses ; unplanned
additions/alterations/reconstruction of
buildings, high land values, large scale
commercialization of buildings/land,
increased urbanisation, limited holding
capacity, lack of open spaces, large
conversion of land uses, absence of
adequately trained manpower, resources ,
capacity & capability, lack of will on part
of ULBs, local communities & elected
representatives-to manage core areas,
aging infrastructures- quantitatively and
qualitatively; Increasing conflicts between
heritage and current design practice;
irrational building bye-laws/ development
controls and increasing conflict between
man and machine. However, despite
numerous challenges core areas remain
valuable and critical layer/phase of urban
growth and development, marked by
different/distinct pattern of growth and
development.[3]
Fig. 1: Walled City Delhi-Delhi Gate; Source; dreamtimes.com

STRATEGIES AND OPTIONS FOR
RATIONALIZATION
Considering role, relevance, and
importance of urban core/ Walled city, in
defining identity, past glory, making value
addition and promoting rational
development of any city, planners,
professionals and managers, engaged in
the urban planning, development and
management, must look at these core
areas, more critically and objectively as an
asset in the parlance of urban planning and
development, rather than as a threat.
Unfortunately, development of core areas
is being viewed like green field
development focusing on pattern followed
in the peripheral areas. Core areas, for its
rational and realistic development would
need; identifying the critical problems,
issues related to growth, development,
culture, economy, employment before
suggesting strategies/ options for
development. Framework for development
of core areas must be rooted in/ based on
local climate, economy, history,
affordability and living culture, prevailing
in the city.[4]
The approach to revitalize the urban core
should revolve around;
 Rationally defining the extent,
contour and physical boundary of
walled city /core area.
 Declaring core area, a special
planning, economic, social zone of
city, for planning, development and
management.
 Prioritizing development of core areas
by redefining strategies and evolving
appropriate policies to ensure that
these areas are empowered , planned,
developed and appropriately managed
to adequately support, the making of
human living, more qualitative,
effective, efficient, productive and
sustainable.
 Accurately mapping core area, in
terms of its basic physical, social,
economic and cultural fabric.
 Documenting prevailing physical,
social, economic, environmental and
structural problems/issues prevailing
in the walled city.[5]
 Carrying out a SWOT Analysis, for
identifying and building on existing
strength; identify and overcome
prevailing weaknesses; look for and
make optimum use of available
opportunities and visualize and evolve
options to overcome emerging threats.
 Using option of Conservative Surgery
for identifying derelict areas,
identifying zone to be revitalized;
removing obsolescence/ dilapidated
buildings/structure
 Preparing a dedicated Master Plan for
the walled city, based on
studies/analysis carried out and
leveraging the art and science of
urban design/
planning/architecture/heritage/landsca
ping.
 Restoring original character of
pedestrianization, by converting roads
into streets; avoiding inducting
vehicular traffic; avoiding widening
internal roads to increase its capacity
to invite more mechanized vehicles
and confining traffic on periphery of
walled city.[6]
 Minimizing overcrowding and
congestion, by selective
shifting/relocation outside the city of
trade& commerce/ institutions
causing congestion,
 Creating/adding more open spaces in
walled city, by converting parking
spaces into green spaces besides
leveraging the art of landscaping for
promoting greenery and making value
addition to public spaces
 Identifying Heritage – natural/man-
made and making value addition to
existing heritage by promoting
conservation/preservation, without
freezing and permitting adaptable use
of heritage building.[7]

 Managing changes in building
footprints /height/vocabulary by
eliminating unplanned/unauthorized
change of land use/sub-division of
land, minimsing land speculation and
redefining building bye-laws and
development Controls, supportive of
heritage conservation made applicable
to the core areas
 Improving basic infrastructures
/services/amenities
 Creating a dedicated policy, dedicated
cell & dedicated agency within ULBs
/Development Authority, vested with
adequate power /resources/
manpower/ skill/ expertise- for
planning, development and
management of core areas
 Involving Communities in all decision
making, related to planning,
development and management of core
areas by making them partners in the
planning/development process and
making communities aware of the
existing challenges and options faced
by the core areas.
 Promoting Tourism by; making
additions to signage; holding heritage
walks, exhibitions and dedicated
festivals to celebrate the past glory of
city; Involving social media for
showcasing the strength, glory, of
walled city; holding
exhibitions/dedicated festivals to
celebrate history, culture of city;
involving educational Institutions in
promoting core values of city; and
incentivizing innovations and
innovators- for making value addition
to core city and making them socially
and economically more vibrant and
productive.[8]
Fig. 2: Exploring Walkable Spaces in urban Areas; Source; thearchitectsdiary.com
Looking at the role, relevance and
importance; historic Core areas/ walled
cities of Jaipur, Amritsar, Delhi, Varanasi,
Ayodhya Lucknow, Hyderabad, Pune,
Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata etc., need
detailed study in- depth analysis,
appropriate strategies and realistic policy
framework for rationalizing its growth and
development, for regaining the lost glory
of historic core. To illustrate and explain
the approach, option and strategy for
growth, development and management of
core areas, development of Walled City of
Amritsar has been taking as the case
study.[9]

CITY OF AMRITSAR: KEY FACTS
 Walled City of Amritsar owes its
genesis/origin to the vision,
wisdom and farsightedness of 4th
Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das ji,
 Purchased land from Tung village,
for 700 rupees in the year 1574, led
to laying the foundation of the
sacred tank (Amrit Sarovar) and
golden city of Amritsar.
 Built around the Golden Temple &
Amrit Srovar, city grew under the
benevolence and blessings of 5th
Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji.
 Known initially as Ramdaspur,
city was renamed Amritsar- after
the sacred Amrit Sarovar (Pool of
Nectar)
 With its completion, Darbar Sahib,
became the spiritual center of
Sikhism and nucleus of the growth
and development of the city of
Amritsar.
 Invitation to 52 traders by the
founders of the city, to settle and
start business, led to the opening of
first 32 shops, known as Batisi
Hatta (32 shops), which launched
the city of Amritsar, on the path of
becoming a major commercial hub
in the region.
 Land around Amritsar was divided,
among different Sikh Misals
(confederacies), which started and
promoted the process of growth
and development of Amritsar, as a
city.[10]
 Allotment of land in the city to
each Misal, around Darbar Sahib
was made, based on collective
agreement among Sikh leaders,
with Akal Takht operating as the
supreme authority for arbitration
 Construction of Katch wall
(kachchi deewar), about 25 yards
broad, 7 yards high with length
placed at 5 miles, as fortification to
protect Darbar Sahib and city from
invasions, during the reign of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1822,
changed the character/morphology
and transformed city of Amritsar
from an open to an enclosed/
walled city.
 Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s
fortifications gave city its distinct
gated culture and character.
 Enclosed by the fortified wall,
having 12 historic gates, serving as
an entry point for trade, pilgrims
and defense along with 240
watchtowers, made Amritsar
walled city structurally and
physically unique, different and
distinct.[11]
 Symbolizing resilience, wall turned
city into a fortified spiritual and
political capital
 Credited with high density, narrow
lanes, numerous bazaars, and
juxtaposed residential clusters,
Amritsar walled city provides a
unique space/ experience for
residents and visitors.
 Valued as the historic, spiritual
heart and soul, walled city is
known as the fulcrum of growth
and development of Amritsar
metropolis.
 Narrow streets and well-knit
communities, based on informal
planning, made walled cities grow
organically as a socially vibrant
pedestrian- centeric settlement,
 Designed as processional route for
connecting bungas (rest houses),
akharas (martial training centers),
and dharamsalas (religious inns),
narrow winding streets (galis,
kuchas) around the Golden Temple
provided shade and
empowered/ facilitated pedestrian
movement,
 Dense, pedestrian-oriented design
promoted community surveillance
and vibrant street oriented social
life

 Culture of mixed-use (mohallas)
helped in combining homes, shops,
and religious spaces.
 Housing narrow bazaars, heritage
sites and evolving demographics,
compact size of walled city
contrasts sharply with the
sprawling modern city, making it
unique, different and distinct,
 In this era of rapid growth and
massive urbanisation, walled city is
struggling to balance- preserving
historic identity while
accommodating modern needs.[12]
Fig. 3: Darbar Sahib; Walled city Amritsar; Source; thearchnews.com
MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY
WALLED CITY AMRITSAR
With history spanning over 449 years,
since its inception in the year 1577,
Walled City has emerged as the heart and
soul of the Amritsar. Labeled as religious,
spiritual, political and commercial capital
of the state of Punjab, walled city of
Amritsar, currently faces numerous
physical, social, economic, environmental
and management challenges in its rational
growth and development. Walled City of
Amritsar currently struggles with; massive
encroachment, increasing pollution,
growing heritage neglect, increasing traffic
chaos, growing congestion, increasing
waste, deteriorating quality of life,
limitation of open spaces, increasing stress
on infrastructure and services, which
cumulatively and exclusively, are
threatening its unique cultural identity.
Developmental and operational challenges
facing the walled city, has genesis in the
organic street network, which city
inherited since its inception. Narrow,
winding streets/lanes, evolved historically,
without induction of any formal planning
to defend the city from invaders, has led to
smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian
traffic, both difficult and cumbersome.[13]
Growing under the pressure of;
uncontrolled migration, increasing
population, rapid urbanization and city
becoming a global destination for spiritual
tourism, majority of problems facing the
walled city of Amritsar can be enumerated
in terms of;
Overcrowding
Occupying merely 2.5% (352 hectare) of
physical area and housing one-sixth of the
urban population of Amritsar metropolis,
beside catering to large number of daily

visitors/ tourists and large volume of
trade& commerce, walled city is known to
suffer from the malaise of overcrowding
and acute congestion. Walled city
currently faces challenge of overcrowding
of buildings on land and overcrowding of
people in the buildings.[14]
High Density
With population density placed at 74000
persons per square km, as compared to
average population density of 8340
persons/km of Amritsar Metropolis, walled
city is known to have 10 times more
density, indicating high degree of
congestion, when compared with the
Amritsar metropolis. Prevailing high
density in the walled city has its
implications in terms of creating numerous
stresses and strains on the available basic
amenities and services, like housing, water
supply, sanitation, and waste management.
In addition, dense living conditions
invariably create public health issues,
leading to increased risk of communicable
diseases, besides adversely impacting the
quality of human living.
Traffic Congestion
Planned and designed for
pedestrianization, narrow lanes of walled
city remain overcrowded with unregulated
flow of vehicular traffic including
rickshaws, cars, tempos etc., causing
perpetual traffic chaos and congestion
besides adding to noise and air
pollution.[15]
Increasing Encroachments on Public
Spaces
Limitation of physical area, perpetual
addition to population, increasing tourist
pressure coupled with high land values,
has led to large scale illegal constructions
taking place, occupying all available
public spaces in the walled city. Illegal
construction has adversely impacted the
smooth flow of traffic and marginalization
of public spaces on large scale.
Increasing Pollution
Marked by ever increasing vehicular /
population pressure and increased
concentration of informal activities,
Walled City is suffering from ever
increasing challenge of air and noise
pollution.[16]
Increasing Informal Activities
Increasing number of daily visitors and
tourists to Darbar Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh,
Partition Museum and other cultural,
commercial spaces in the walled city, has
led to mushrooming of informal activities,
occupying every available public space,
causing enormous congestion and
inconvenience to the residents and visitors.
Decay of Heritage
Housing large wealth of historic bungas,
havelis, and gates, religious, cultural,
institutional and residential structures,
walled city is known as repository of
valuable man-made heritage. However,
poor maintenance, large scale
encroachments, unplanned development
and lack of enforcement/appreciation on
the part of parastatal agencies involved in
the governance/preservation of valuable
heritage, has led to existing heritage in the
walled city facing perpetual neglect, fast
decay and deterioration, due to lack of
awareness and unregulated, unauthorized
additions/alterations/ construction.[17]
Loss of Vernacular Architecture
With concrete construction replacing
traditional Sikh-Mughal style havelis,
residential and cultural buildings, walled
city is fast losing its distinct identity and
vernacular heritage, created over centuries.
Poverty of Heritage Conservation
The Walled City of Amritsar struggles
with- congestion, - encroachment,
pollution, and -heritage neglect,
threatening its unique cultural identity.
The city is caught between preserving its
historic identity and accommodating

modern needs. Many historic gates and
valuable buildings have been misused and
abused, which has led to their decay,
destruction and demolition.
Increasing Speculation
With increasing urbanization, increasing
population pressure and increasing flow of
tourists, land prices within walled cities
are rising abnormally leading to high
degrees of land speculation and changing
the architectural vocabulary of the built
environment.
Large scale Sub-division of land
With growing population pressure,
increasing speculation and limitation of
land, walled city is facing large scale
unauthorized and unregulated sub-division
of land, leading to rapid construction and
more congestion.
Deteriorating Infrastructure
With large concentration of human
population, and unregulated/increase flow
of the tourists, existing physical
infrastructures have come under enormous
developmental pressure/stress, leading to
deterioration of such infrastructures,
adversely impacting the operational
efficiency of the walled city and quality of
life of people living therein.
Poor Waste Management
Increasing patterns of consumerism, due to
changing living habits, are adding to the
mass and volume of solid waste generated
in the walled city. Limitation of the public
space available, coupled with Inefficient
garbage disposal and poor management of
sanitation, has perpetually led to walled
city reeling under growing problem of
waste-led environmental pollution.
Urban Flooding
Existing topography/ urban morphology
and limitation of storm water drainage, has
invariably led to flooding of walled city
during monsoons, leading to creating
physical, social, economic and
environmental challenges, for the city and
the local communities
Uncontrolled Flow of Tourists
Uncontrolled and undefined influx of
thousands of daily visitors/ devotees and
locals, visiting Darbar Sahib, Jallianwala
Bagh and other cultural/religious spaces,
have created Visitor stress in the walled
city. Large/uncontrolled flow of pilgrims
overwhelm civic infrastructure, invariably
creating conditions of acute congestion
and mushrooming of informal activities in
the walled city, in general and around
Darbar Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Heritage
Street and Partition Museum, in particular.
In addition, heavy inflow of pilgrims
during festivals and Amavasya creates
increased congestion and chaos in the
smooth operation and functioning of
walled city.[18]
Increasing Waste and Debris
Aging of buildings, lack of maintenance,
making large additions and alterations to
the buildings, has led to large scale
generations of construction & demolition
waste and its dumping on the streets,
which has invariably led to obstructing
movement of people, goods and services
besides creating unhygienic conditions in
the urban space.
Inadequate Security
Large and uncontrolled inflow of pilgrims
and visitors into the walled city and
inadequate presence of police, lack of
CCTV coverage, and non-existence of
quick-response systems, have
cumulatively led to creating a sense of
insecurity among the residents and visitors
to the walled city.
Adding parking Spaces
Despite the fact that walled city was never
meant to cater to vehicular traffic, still
allocation of large space for parking of
vehicles have been made by encroaching

upon/demolition of the public
buildings/spaces and existing road
network. Multi-Storied parking,
constructed near the Partition Museum,
with capacity of housing approximately
500–550 cars has created conditions of
chaos, congestion within walled city.
Conceptualized and designed to ease
congestion in the walled city and Golden
Temple area, it has actually led to creating
more chaos, causing enormous pollution
from the emissions generated by induction
of large number of vehicles, besides
mushrooming of informal activities on
large scale in the walled city.
Widening of Approach Roads to Golden
Temple and Jallianwala Bagh Road
Greatest damage to the vocabulary,
culture, structure, morphology and fabric
of the walled city has been caused by the
project known as, ‘Approach Road to
Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh’,
which involved widening the existing road
from 30 feet to 60 feet, by Improvement
Trust Amritsar, in post-independence
period. Meant for smoothening the flow of
traffic, project has led to induction of a
greater number of cars and auto rickshaws
in the walled city, leading to creating more
traffic chaos and vehicular congestion.[19]
Vanishing Open Spaces
In the initial stages of growth and
development, the walled city of Amritsar
was known as “city of gardens,” with
every locality having at least one dedicated
garden or park for its residents. Gardens
were considered “Sabj Mandir” (Green
Temples) by Nihangs, symbolizing linking
spirituality with nature. By the mid-20th
century, majority of gardens were lost due
to large scale unplanned urbanization.
Over a period of time, dozens of existing
gardens have been encroached upon and
converted into residential areas, or
repurposed as parking lots. Only a few
heritage parks like Jallianwala Bagh and
Ram Bagh Garden remain as public green
spaces within walled city.
Unplanned and Unstructured Growth
Despite the fact Master Plan of Amritsar
for the year 2031, was approved in the
year 2011 by the Government of Punjab
and said Master Plan contained detailed
recommendation related to rationalizing
the growth and preserving the unique
character of the walled city, but no action
has been taken to implement the
recommendations made, accordingly
walled city continues to grow and decay in
a unstructured manner, which has led to
making addition to the
vehicular/population congestion besides
reduced livability in the area.
Absence of Pilgrim Management
Despite large number of people visiting,
Darbar Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Partition
Museum, Heritage Street etc., on daily
basis, walled city has no plan to regulate
the flow of human and vehicular traffic. In
the absence of any plan to regulate and
rationalize the flow of visitors, walled city
invariably remains locked under the
pressure of human and vehicular
population. Uncontrolled flow of traffic
and large number of people visiting any
historic place is known for adversely
impacting on the valuable heritage,
culture, livability and environment in the
area.
Lack of Will
Amritsar city is credited as having one of
the oldest municipalities in the state of
Punjab. Established in the year 1868,
during British rule, to manage civic
services, subsequently upgraded to the
level of first Municipal Corporation, in the
year1977, under the Punjab Municipal
Corporation Act, expanding jurisdiction
and powers of urban local body, still
Amritsar Corporation does not have a
dedicated cell, requisite manpower and
even will to look after the planning,

redevelopment, construction of buildings,
preserving, conserving and managing
heritage in the walled city, which has led
to creating numerous challenges of growth
and development in the core city. [20]
Fig. 4: Congestion and Overcrowding In walled City Amritsar; Source; times of
india.indiatimes.com
GENESIS OF WALLED CITY
PROBLEMS;
Looking at the major issues and challenges
faced by the walled city ,defined above, it
can be safely concluded that majority of
issues are the outcome of the pattern of
growth and development followed in these
cities. Since majority of walled cities are
the outcome of providing safety and
security from outside invasion, with
mobility guided by the pedestrianization or
movement of the animal driven vehicles,
the existing road pattern remains limited in
width, inadequate to cater to mechanized
vehicles. However, over a period of time,
due to centrality coupled with rising
population, increasing urbanization and
growing mechanized vehicular movement,
these core areas have been subjected to lot
of developmental stresses and strains.[21]
Looking historically, majority of the
challenges, faced by walled city generally
stem from;
 Absence of any dedicated policy and
programme to promote rational and
sustainable development of walled/old
cities
 Lack of vision, about the growth and
development of walled city/core areas
on the part of professional planners,
urban local bodies and other agencies
involved in urban planning,
development and management at local
level.
 Ignoring and marginalizing walled city
in the urban planning development and
management processes, at the local
level.
 Large scale haphazard, unregulated
and unplanned development, due to
rapid and unregulated urbanization and
limited integration between old and
new development

 Lack of identification and appreciation
about the heritage value of the core
areas/walled city, poor documentation
and perpetual neglect, misuse and
abuse of historic structures, by
ignoring the unique character of the
core/walled cities.
 Inadequate infrastructures and pressure
of inducting modern infrastructures
into the walled cities.
 Widening of the streets for induction
of mechanized vehicles, and creating
parking spaces in the core areas/walled
city, in the name of improving
accessibility.
 Large scale commercialization, high
degree of speculation and unregulated,
unauthorized and unplanned sub-
division of land
 Limitations imposed by inappropriate
legal framework, limited manpower
and lack of adequate resources at local
level, to address the irrational growth
and unplanned development of walled
city
 Large scale changes made in the
existing typologies of built heritage,
and changing use/scope of existing
buildings, besides replacing old
traditional materials by
glass/aluminum facades, on large
scale.
 Rapid decrease in area under
open/green/public spaces, due to large
scale encroachments/construction
made on such spaces.
 Congestion is due to presence of
traditional whole sale
markets/businesses in walled city.
 Lack of involvement of local
communities and lack of ownership at
local level
 Large scale decay of buildings, due to
poor maintenance/ upkeep of existing
buildings
 Increasing problem of water
logging/urban flooding in urban cores.
 Rapidly increasing mismatch &
conflict between preserving historic
identity and accommodating modern
needs.
 Lack of connectivity and marginalizing
heritage conservation in the urban
planning and development process.
 Limited capacity on the part of
architects, planners and engineers to
understand, appreciate and address
critical issues facing walled cities.
 Ignoring study, analysis and options
for walled city in teaching-learning of
planning, designing, construction and
management of human settlements.
WAY FORWARD
Becoming a distinct reality, based on the
initial vision, farsightedness and blessings
of 4th
Sikh Guru Ram Das ji & 5th
Guru
Arjan Dev ji and later fortified by
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, walled city of
Amritsar, is not just a historic core/
religious hub, but is valued and considered
as a living urban ecosystem, balancing
heritage, faith, modernity with economy,
and environment. Over a period, walled
city, has emerged as a city within Amritsar
Metropolis, catering not only to the
residents of walled city, but also to the
neighboring communities living outside
the walled city.
Operating and functioning under
continuous developmental stresses and
strains, option for working out appropriate
solutions for rationalizing walled city,
require a balance between heritage
preservation, maintaining religious
sanctity, and promoting sustainable urban
planning, which inter-alias must respect its
unique physical character, prevailing
social vibrancy, emerging environmental
challenges, increasing spiritual sanctity
and fading heritage values. Options
suggested for rationalizing growth and
development of walled city must not only
focus on improving quality of life for the
local residents, but must also make value

addition to its growth and development, so
as to make it a role model of heritage,
culture, economy, and environment.
Despite remaining an urban core, walled
city needs to overcome the challenge of
congestion, overcrowding, speculation,
pollution, infrastructures, limitations of
open spaces , marginalization of built
heritage, restoring pedestrianization,
promoting ease of connectivity,
conservation of heritage and promoting
sustainable development besides retaining
its organic identity, while inducting
essential amenities. In addition, suggested
options, must also value the local human
philosophy of collective living, equality,
and community surveillance.
Looking at the above narrative, options for
rationalizing the planned and sustainable
development of Walled city Amritsar,
could be enumerated in following terms;
Defining a Futuristic Vision
Looking at the current scenario of
haphazard growth and unplanned
development, walled city needs a detailed
road map, showcasing its journey of
comprehensive and holistic development.
Ensuring holistic development would
require putting in place and creating an
innovative and state of art vision, based on
the detailed physical/analytical study and
analysis of the existing challenges faced
by the walled city. Evolving a realistic
vision for the walled city would need
Involving local intelligentsia and
professionals, having in-depth knowledge
and understanding about existing planning,
development, history, culture, heritage,
economy, infrastructure, mobility,
landscaping etc. Creating a think tank,
comprising of local professionals will help
in aiding advising, assisting and guiding
the state/local authority, on all
matters/issues related to walled city,
besides evolving options for numerous
growth and developmental challenges,
emerging from implementing the defined
vision, from time to time.
Opting for World Heritage
Looking at the enormous wealth of
valuable heritage, state and local agencies
must work on the long-term vision/agenda
of walled city Amritsar, being declared
and included in the list of; World Heritage
city by UNESCO, on the pattern of
Ahmadabad/Jaipur walled city, for
ensuring its sustainable growth and
development as a, living and thriving
social, economic and tourism hub. For
achieving the objective, state/city must
involve local academic institutions of
excellence, to aid, assist and advise local
agencies for preparing necessary
documentation. Amritsar has the potential
and opportunity of leveraging
wisdom/expertise/ knowledge of large
number of researchers, scholars and
practitioners present in the city, in the
domain of urban planning, architecture,
history, culture, management etc. to
prepare the required documents. Resources
available with these academic institutions
can be effectively leveraged for mapping,
documenting and defining agenda for the
walled city, to be declared as World
Heritage City.
Creating a dedicated Master Plan for
Walled City
Considering the fact that core area holds
one sixth of the total population of
Amritsar metropolis, and remains
physically, socially, economically and
environmentally different, distinct and
unique from other parts of the city, it will
be logical that, for ensuring rational and
realistic development, walled city should
be accurately documented and mapped in
terms of typology of built environment;
pattern of traffic& transportation;
physical& social infrastructures;
public/open spaces; prevailing land use
pattern; existing heritage; prevailing socio-
economic culture; peculiarities of trade

and commerce; existing landmarks;
valuable historical features; religious,
social and cultural institutions; art and
craft; pattern of living; gates and openings;
walls and moats encircling the city etc., so
that they are adequately integrated,
preserved and conserved in the planning
and development of the walled city. By
involving GRPG School of Planning and
Architecture and
planners/architects/professionals working
in the Department of Town & Country
Planning, Amritsar Development
Authority and Improvement Trusts
Amritsar, preparation of innovative and
futuristic Master Plan for the Walled City
can be made a distinct reality.
Pedestrianizing Walled city
Understanding and appreciating the fact
that walled city, Amritsar, was planned
and developed for catering to human based
walkability, accordingly it will be
appropriate that original character of core
area should be restored, by promoting
walk-ability/pedestrianization. It needs to
be understood and appreciated that
majority of existing problems has genesis
in the uncontrolled induction of
mechanized vehicles on large scale, in the
walled city and accordingly solutions for
majority of problems prevailing in walled
city would be, to eliminate mechanized
vehicles and promote pedestrianization.
Pedestrianization of walled city should
involve that all existing roads must be
replaced by streets and all parking spaces
must be converted into public/open spaces.
In addition, for making walkability as a
preferred mode of travel, streets would
need to be supplemented by large scale
landscaping, duly supported by creating
space for sitting and relaxing. Looking at
the existing road network within walled
city, approach road to Golden Temple and
Jallianwala Bagh, which was widened
from 30 to 60 feet, offers enormous
opportunity of pedestrianization. This
approach will help not only to overcome
the limitation of the non-availability of the
adequate green/open spaces but will also
help in eliminating congestion and
pollution within the core city.
Pedestrianizing walled cities will also help
in reducing the adverse impact of
vehicular pollution on the Golden Temple
and Jallianwala Bagh. However, limited
number of electric vehicles needs to be
made available in walled city, for
facilitating the mobility of senior citizens,
children, women, sick, physically
challenged and for catering to emergent
services. Pedestrianizing Walled City
should also include extending concept of
Heritage- Street, across the entire walled
city connecting each of the 12 gates,
providing access within walled city.
Heritage street, already constructed and
developed, have clearly demonstrated the
role, relevance and importance of
pedestrianization in making walled cities
more qualitative, socially vibrant, free
from the malaise of vehicular congestion,
pollution and attracting large number of
tourists besides making tourists stay longer
in the city. However, pedestrianization of
the walled city needs to be phased, based
on detailed study, analysis involving local
communities and available resources. For
achieving the objective of
pedestrianization, city must run efficient
public bus service on the circular road,
supported by appropriate infrastructures
and facilities However, planning for
pedestrianization will have to be
supplemented by creating adequate
parking spaces outside and in close
vicinity of the walled city to accommodate
all the existing vehicles of the walled city.
Widening circular roads, already existing
around walled city, can cater to increased
mechanized traffic, proposed to be shifted
outside the walled city.
Greening Core City
Opting for walkability and
pedestrianization will help in creating
opportunities for conversion of existing
parking spaces into public spaces and

green spaces. This will help in overcoming
the prevailing shortage of green spaces in
the walled city, improve ecology and make
human living more qualitative besides
improving the local environment.
Valuing Heritage
Walled cities, Amritsar, is known to be
repository of large volume of built heritage
including, gurdwaras, Temples, Masjids,
Churches, historic bungas, havelis,
institutions, residences etc. Despite
fragmented attempts, unfortunately, exiting
heritage in the walled city has not been
fully mapped and documented holistically,
though attempts in this regard have been
made in the past. In the absence of any
documentation and notification, Amritsar
Walled city is fast losing its valuable
heritage in the name of unregulated change
of land use; unauthorized additions and
alterations, changing vocabulary of
heritage buildings in the name of
modernization/ reconstruction etc. Since
existing historical buildings define the
origin, growth, history and culture of any
city and connect the communities with
their past, accordingly it is important that
Amritsar Municipal Corporation must take
up the onus of mapping, documenting and
notifying the existing heritage. Heritage
Cell, proposed in the Corporation can be
entrusted with the task of mapping
heritage, by actively involving Department
of Town & Country Planning; Amritsar
Development Authority, Amritsar
Improvement Trust; GRPG School of
Planning and Architecture, INTACH and
State Archeology Department .Once
documented and notified, adequate steps
must be taken to involve local
communities and stakeholders to preserve
and conserve the valuable heritage through
a system of granting incentive and
promoting adaptive reuse of old structures,
to preserve basic character of building
rather than replacing and mutilating them.
Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings are
known for its distinct advantages, in terms
of promoting economic sustainability by
generating income for local community via
tourism; promoting heritage preservation
by ensuring proper maintenance and
upkeep of historic structures; ensuring
cultural continuity by keeping traditions
alive through active use and tourism
diversification by extending visitor,
beyond the Golden Temple & Jallianwala
Bagh. House-owners within walled city
must be permitted to provide services like
bed and butter to attract tourists; use
commercial spaces to open up eating
joints, sell souvenirs and take up
avocations supporting visitors and tourists,
to increase their income, for maintaining
and sustaining the heritage value of these
buildings. It will be valuable if HRIDAY,
scheme launched by Government of India,
to preserve heritage and promote economic
development of cities based on heritage, is
allowed to continue for the walled city of
Amritsar, to preserve its valuable heritage.
Creating a dedicated Heritage Cell
Managing walled city, effectively &
efficiently, would require a specialized and
dedicated cell created within the municipal
corporation Amritsar, on the pattern of
Ahmadabad Municipal corporation, , to
look after the critical developmental needs
of the walled city. The dedicated cell must
be provided with adequate financial
resources and skilled manpower, expertise,
and experience besides appropriate legal
and developmental framework to look
after the special needs of the walled city, to
make it sustainable and more qualitative.
Considering multiplicity of developmental
agencies operating in the domain of urban
planning, development and management at
the local level, cells would require co-
operation, collaboration and support from
all such agencies to achieve holistic and
integrated development of the walled city.
Without adequate support and co-
ordination between municipal authorities,
and other agencies, growth of walled city
is likely to face the challenge / risk of

inadequate conservation and unsustainable
development. Looking at the current
scenario, there exists enormous
opportunity of creating a co-ordination
committee at city level, comprising of
representatives of Municipal Corporation
Amritsar, Department of Town & Country
Planning, Amritsar Development
Authority and Improvement Trusts
Amritsar to look after the needs of walled
city.
Redefining Building Controls
In order to ensure that the walled city is
preserved as repository of valuable
heritage, it is important that a separate,
dedicated and heritage focused legal
framework should be put in place for the
development of the walled city. For
achieving the objective, dedicated heritage
conservation related building byelaws
need to be formulated and made
operational. Master Plan of Amritsar has
divided entire planning area of Amritsar
Master Plan, into four distinct layers, for
the purpose of comprehensive, integrated
and holistic planning and development of
the Amritsar Metropolis. Considering the
uniqueness and critical value and culture,
walled city has been designated as the first
layer of the city. Master Plan Amritsar has
recommended preparation of separate
building byelaws and development
Controls for the walled city, considering
the uniqueness and distinct character of the
core city. In addition, it also provided
broad framework for the proposed
regulations. In this regard it will be
valuable to follow the pattern defined in
the Bombay Heritage Control Regulations,
which are known for their strict grading
system of heritage buildings (Grade I–III)
that governs the permissible changes,
additions and alterations to the historic
buildings. Heritage regulations have to be
framed with care and caution, so as to
ensure the preservation of Sikh
architecture. Development Controls put in
place must ensure that vernacular character
of buildings must continue and all changes
made must conform to maintaining the
prevailing culture in terms of height of
building, covered area, building setbacks,
use of materials, projected balconies,
wooden brackets, wood carving, other
architectural elements etc.
Opting Cultural -Centric Approach
Considering the unique character and
genesis of growth and development under
the shadow and blessings of Sikh Gurus,
Amritsar must be planned as a place where
history, commerce, and spirituality coexist.
Achieving this objective would require
integrated urban planning, strong
enforcement, and community-led
stewardship. Re-planning of walled city of
Amritsar, must recognize, respect and
embed Sikh philosophy of collective living
in harmony while addressing challenges of
modern living. Option of using, Adaptive
Planning can help in retaining the organic
identity of walled city, while integrating
modern amenities. Existing vocabulary of
shared spaces and neighborhood clusters in
the walled city must be valued and
enhanced to sustain social interaction/
vibrancy. For making this a distinct reality,
existing patterns of organic/narrow streets,
shaded lanes, pedestrian dominance,
mixed- land use and architectural elements
like courtyards and verandahs, must be
clearly defined, recognized, respected,
integrated and made part of growth and
development strategy of walled city of
Amritsar.
Managing Unauthorized Development
and Encroachments
All walled cities in the country, including
Amritsar walled city, are known to suffer
from the malaise of large-scale
unauthorized construction, illegal
additions and alterations made to existing
structures, due to lack of enforcement and
limitations of land record. In addition,
vacant lands, parks and open spaces
become soft targets and are subjected to

unauthorized occupation and illegal
construction of buildings. Such
unauthorized activities not only limit the
area under open/public spaces but also
cause undue congestion and development
pollution. Accordingly, this practice needs
to effectively be controlled and eliminated,
and all such spaces must be retrieved and
restored for public use.
Relocating Multi-Storied Parking
Multi-storied car parking created at
Saragarhi, close to Golden Temple, has led
to creating adverse environmental
conditions, for the walled city and revered
Darbar Sahib and Jallianwala Bagh.
Located in the heart of the city, exhaust
generated by the vehicles parked, entering
and exiting are not only increasing
pollution but are also adding large volume
of carbon footprints in the area.
Considering the larger interest of the city,
and sanctity of the valuable heritage, it
will be appropriate that an environmental
impact study of the car park should
immediately be carried out, to assess its
impact on the people living in walled city
and the monuments existing nearby.
Keeping in view the larger interest of the
walled city and its communities, it will be
appropriate that car park should be
relocated and the building should be used
for commercial and other public purposes,
supportive of the local communities/area.
Managing Visitors to the Walled City
Considering the limitation of area and
large population already housed therein,
walled city has limited capacity to
accommodate additional
population/visitors. Due to large number
of people visiting Darbar Sahib and
Jallianwala Bagh besides other historic,
social and commercial spaces, walled city
invariably suffers from the problem of
overcrowding and congestion. It is time
when a detailed study is made of the
number of visitors which can be
accommodated at a given time, based on
which a comprehensive operational
mechanism is evolved for managing the
visitors to the walled city, so that quality
of life should not be marginalized and
resources available within walled city are
not destroyed and damaged. For
diversification and rationalization of the
flow of tourists/visitors, there is need to
develop options for identifying guided
heritage routes connecting Golden Temple,
Jallianwala Bagh, Ramgarhia Bunga, and
Gobindgarh Fort besides
spreading/diverting tourist flow, beyond
the walled city, for reducing congestion.
Upgrading Basic Infrastructures
Walled city is lacking and suffering from
the inadequate basic amenities and
facilities, essential for human living.
Limitation of space and narrow streets
have been identified as the major
roadblock in providing the basic amenities
of sanitation and solid/liquid waste
management. In order to overcome the
challenge, detailed study and analysis
needs to be made to provide these services,
covering the entire city. Looking at the
existing fabric, there still exist large open
spaces within walled city which can be
used for providing/upgrading the basic
services.
Reconstructing Gates
Looking at the historic values of the 12
gates of the city defining entry/exit to and
from walled city, it will be vital that all
these gates must be restored to their old
glory by undertaking dedicated repair,
matching the original design and in case,
where gates have been damaged and
destroyed, then reconstructing new gates,
as per original design, structure, profile
and materials, as part of the redevelopment
of the walled city.
Involving Local Communities
Considering the implications and
magnitude of redefined pattern of growth
and development of walled city, it will be

critical to take local
communities/stakeholders on board, for
successful implantation of the project on
ground. Involving local communities can
help creating ownership of the project
besides finding cost-effective/local
solutions to large number of emerging
problems. For using the local resources
and creating local ownership, it will be
essential to make all stakeholders
understand that, proposals for the
redevelopment are meant for the benefit
and empowering the local communities,
providing better quality of life through
improved infrastructures, generating more
income, creating more open spaces,
reducing pollution and congestion besides
making value addition to the quality of
walled city.
Promoting Amritsar Cuisine
Best known for quality and variety of
food, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian,
Amritsar is valued locally and globally by
people and communities. Large number of
tourists visit the city simply for having an
experience and taste of food served in the
city, which remains distinct, different and
unique. Amritsar cuisine has helped in
adding large numbers of tourists and
visitors to the city on regular basis. Large
number of known food shops exist within
walled city, which draw large number of
foodies, during different hours of the day
and night. It is time, walled city must build
on its strength and create a distinct brand
for the Amritsar cuisine. Setting up a food
court or a food street in the walled city can
help in giving a distinct character and
make value addition to the economy,
employment, culture and history of the
walled city.
Promoting Tourism
Known for its multiplier effect, tourism
has been valued for its role, relevance and
importance in promoting economy, raising
resources, generating employment and
overcoming the challenge of poverty.
Walled city, Amritsar, known as religious
and cultural hub, attracts large number of
tourists/visitors on day-to-day basis. In the
absence of any tourism related policy and
programme, tourism sector remains
disorganized, creating conditions of
operational inefficiency and under-
utilization of the tourism potential. This
calls for reinventing tourism sector, by
evolving a dedicated policy framework
and a realistic action plan. Setting up of
visitor/tourist facilitation centre,
organizing road shows, putting proper
hoarding/signage, bringing out printed
brochures, involving print and visual
media, preparing documentaries,
organizing exhibitions, conducting
competitions, involving educational
institutions and putting in position trained
manpower for guiding tourists/visitors etc.;
can help in improving their experience
besides making their visit to walled city
memorable. Involving local residents and
shopkeepers in heritage walks and
launching awareness campaigns, can help
in furthering the cause of tourism. Training
and educating the local youth in the art and
science of conservation skills will help in
creating local employment. Short term
courses can be run for the youth in local
institutions to train the youth in the art and
science of working as local guides.
Creating souvenirs and artifacts, based on
local craft and culture, can help industry to
generate both employment and promote
economy for the local residents.
Resources
Opting for redevelopment of the walled
city, will invariably require enormous
amount of financial resources, which have
to be estimated, based on the amount and
nature of the development to be taken up
in the area. In order to provide for
adequate resources, phasing of the
development has to be taken up based on
the prioritization of the work to be carried
out. For making available the required
resources, Central/State governments must

consider the option of launching a
dedicated mission for the development of
the core areas, on the pattern of smart city
Mission / HRIDAY, framed earlier. In
addition, Urban Local Bodies must
leverage the mechanism of generating
resources through granting advertisement
rights in the walled city besides spending
all taxes/fees/tolls raised in the walled city
in the core city itself. In addition, walled
city development cess can be levied on all
the development carried out in the
Amritsar metropolis for meeting the
developmental need of the core city. Large
number of businesses being carried out in
the walled city can also be asked to
contribute part of earning to the
development of the core city. Mechanism
of Betterment Levy, as provided in the
Municipal Act, can also be used, besides
involving industries and charitable
institutions locally and globally, for
making contributions. Holding charity
shows, launching a state lottery, charging
visitor facilitation fee and roping in the
resources of large number of Punjabi
settled abroad/ international funding
agencies, can also be considered as an
option for raising resources for the
redevelopment of the walled city.
However, looking at the enormity of the
entire context, multiple options and roping
in all stakeholders will have to be
leveraged, for making available adequate
resources for the walled city.
Fig. 5: Heritage Street; Amritsar; Source; ganeshaspalace.com

Fig. 6: Golden Temple- Harmandir Sahib- the Heart & Soul of Amritsar City; Source;
famoustemplesofindia.com.
CONCLUSION
Considering the role, relevance and
importance of Urban Core/ Walled cities,
in redefining/reinventing cities and making
them more vibrant, it needs to be clearly
understood and appreciated that any
attempt made to marginalize, mute, dilute
and damage the rational growth and
development of core areas, will prove to
be counter productive. Ignoring
conservation, preservation and missing
opportunities for making value addition to
the heritage, culture, structure and basic
fabric of urban core, are likely to adversely
impact and make cities suffer perpetually,
by losing its vitality, identity, credibility,
heritage, economy, and capacity to
generate employment.
Professionals need to work on the
planning, development and management of
core cities, as an agenda, to showcase the
heritage and wonderful culture of our
ancient cities. Government of India must
come out with a dedicated policy, focusing
on planning, development and managing
of the core areas, by launching a dedicated
mission for their sustainable development.
Educational institutions engaged in
teaching-learning of architecture and urban
planning, must make walled city, part of
study curricula, so as to create skilled
resource/manpower for redefining the
growth and development of such cities. All
professional planners and architects need
to value and celebrate our core cities and
create distinct identity and showcase past
history, culture and glory of the parent city,
by making them integral part of
sustainable urban planning and
development process so as to revitalize the
urban space, make cities, safe inclusive,
resilient, sustainable and great places to
live and work, as ordained in the
Sustainable Development Goal,11.
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