Analysis of Active recreational Zones in Delhi

Analysis of Active Recreational
Zones in Delhi
Partner,
ASP Associates, Delhi
Completed M.Arch from SPA, Delhi on
scholarship in 2011. Worked as
consultant to minister of PWD, Delhi in
past. Currently working as Senior
Architect (advisor) for Development of
Master Plan of Bhawan area at Vaishno
Devi and is also involved as a Visiting
faculty at SPA, Delhi.
Ar. Ramneet Kaur
Author

There are insufficient amount of sport and physical activity practices globally, largely due to changes in lifestyle such as inactive
work. Urban lifestyle is resulting in sedentary forms of recreation such as watching television and working on computer. Current
city planning is enhancing excessive use of passive modes of transport. These factors combined are causing many health issues such
as obesity and diabetes. Better quality of life begins with better health.
Health issues are costly for country both in terms of finance and time that results in national loss. Prevailing conditions are creating
a barrier for required amount of activity. With lack of space and time to achieve the goal required for physical fitness, conditions are
worrisome.
Number of private sectors are coming up with innovative solutions to address the problems of inactivity and fitness. A general
observation of existing trends depicts an increase in gym and allied fitness centers. There is also a rise in number, scale and
proportion of running events organized. Recreational activities promote a spirit of mutual support and concern among citizens.
Recreation is a human need and these activities diverge with age, sex, skills etc. this need can be spontaneously fulfilled depending
upon adequacy and quality of open space.
Delhi as a city has a number of open spaces for residents to practice recreational activities. A few of special designed areas such as
district parks and sports complexes were conceptualized for the purpose of promoting physical activities among citizen within
walkable distances. These spaces besides are designed with a goal to provide accessibility to general public who can’t afford
membership of affordable clubs. Analysis of the implementation of these facilities and their impact on health of citizens is however
important. This paper aims to highlight various planned recreational spaces available in Delhi and analyze the government policies
that impact these spaces.
Abstract

Recreation is looked at not only a source of physical activity, but also a basis of human interaction and communal
celebrations.
Recreational activities can be categorized into:-
• Active/ Passive,
• Formal/ Informal,
• Organized/ Unorganized,
• Indoor/ Outdoor.
Australian State/Territory and Federal Governments within the National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework
defines active recreation as “activities engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment with
the primary activity requiring physical exertion, and the primary focus on human activity.”
Understanding Active Recreation
Analysis of Active Recreational Zones in Delhi
Author: Ar. Ramneet Kaur

Activity Trends- India V/S World
Disparity of percentage of people interested in sports to
actual participation raises a concern in case of India.
With percentage of people being less than one percent,
one might feel that recreational activities aren’t
preferred.
According to ICMR_INDIAB study conducted in 2014, of
the 14227 individuals studied in phase 1, 54.4% were
inactive and 13.7% were highly active. Subjects were
more inactive in urban areas (65%) compared to rural
areas (50%).
According to WHO, Physical inactivity is estimate to
directly cause 3.2 million deaths globally, while also
indirectly contributing to diseases and death resulting
from factors including high blood pressure, high
cholesterol and obesity.
Interested in sports versus participation in sports for various countries

As per PwC, fitness market is growing at the rate of 18%-
20% annually. Statistical analysis of comparison of fitness
health index of various cities carried out by Economic
times and number of successful events organized in Delhi
per year shows enthusiasm of residents of Delhi for
recreational activities and thus need for policies to align
facilities available for meeting demand of recreational
activities.
Running Events organized per year in India
Fitness health index of various cities carried out by
Economic Times
Bengaluru 5.5
Delhi 4.7
Mumbai 4.5
Hyderabad 4.3
Marathons organized in different cities in 2016
Need For Active Recreation Policy

Active Recreation In Delhi
Historically speaking, New Delhi, as planned by Sir Edward Lutyens in
1916 was based on three major functions-
• Commercial,
• Government
• Recreational.
India Gate & national stadium planned at heart of city was designed
for same recreational purpose.
In master plan 1961, a statement was laid as a base for active
recreation. It stated “Certain natural features like the river front and
the ridge will have to be developed, together with other regional parks
to provide active recreation to the people of whole area”.
“A system of linked open spaces and district parks has been worked out
for the entire urban area of Delhi related to the proposed pattern of
residential densities. These district parks are for the higher secondary
school age group and for adults. The local parks are for primary
school age children and should be within walking distance.”

Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Green
Public and semi
public facilities
Circulation
Land use distribution in Delhi as per MPD 2021
Delhi as a city has 17% open space in its zonal plan which is much
larger green space cover compared to a number of other
metropolitan cities.
In Delhi Master Plan 2001, sports was sub categorized under Social
infrastructure and planned emphasis was laid for developing sports
areas for all age groups. Sports facilities provided in Delhi were sub
categorized:
• Divisional sports Centre/ Golf Course
• District Sports Centre
• Community Sports Centre
As per DDA, currently there are
• 14 sports complex,
• two golf courses,
• 96.1 Hectare of land for play fields besides stadiums for
sports.
• The area under recreational/green use i.e. 7145 hectare is in
the form of District Parks, City Parks, and Community Parks
etc.

Regional Park District Park
Neighbourhood
Park
City Forest
Historical
Landscape
Sports Complexes
Landmark
Greens
Green Belts Tot-Lots

Case Study And Analysis
76 percent of the Delhi’s planned open space is located to
the south of the ridge, mostly previewed as elite, high
income localities of Delhi. Only two percent of open space
is located in East Delhi as per the survey map of Delhi
Urban area.
Plan of Delhi with distribution of open spaces

Zoning Plan of Block A and B, Paschim Vihar
 It is observed that there is uneven
distribution of open spaces. Area near
district park and sports complex lack
availability of neighbourhood parks
and tot-lots.
 Block B has higher percentage of open
spaces compared to Block A.
 Since Both district park and sports
complex are in block A, residents of
block B either have to cover a huge
distance for enjoying the facilities, or
use passive means of transportation
 Block B of Paschim Vihar also has
urban village named Jwala Heri near
it. This area is thus highly dense, with
no relief or open area for recreational
activity near it.

 Eastern edge of block A is solely
dependent on other blocks for
open spaces or recreational
activities.
 Travel distance between residence
and available open spaces is more
for few residents.
 Limited Venues and spare capacity
at existing infrastructure confines
activities.
 Because of the shape of open
spaces, a number of open areas
look incidental than planned.

 A few of primary green spaces
have access through secondary
link roads. This results in
congestion on streets and thus
hinders easy approach.
 There is a missing gap between
connectivity of tot-lots and
neighbourhood parks to bigger
planned district park.
 District park is surrounded by
primary road on one side,
secondary road on another and
tertiary on third side. The
perimeter of this park is thus
utilized the most because of a
sense of security inhibited to the
users.

Block
A
Block B Total
(Acres)
Total
(Hectare)
Parks & open
space 27.50 28.40 75.00 30.35
parks 5.90 6.00 11.90 4.81
Neighborhood
Parks 18.10 18.48 36.58 14.8
Tot-lot 13.10 13.42 26.52 10.77
• Total population of Block A and B, as
mentioned in Layout plan is 98,000. With 75
acres of parks, availability of Open space per
person is therefore 3 sq.m.
• World Health Organization suggests ensuring
at least a minimum availability of 9 sq.m of
open area per city dweller.
• Delhi Master Plan 2021 defines open space at
neighbourhood level to be 4.5 sq.m per person
and Minimum size of tot lot at cluster to be
125 sq.m.
• The open area thus available is lesser than
minimum standards set by DDA MPD 2021.
AREA UNDER
VILLAGE(8.44)
3%
AREA OF 30 &24M
. R/W(8.36)
3%
AREA
UNDER
HOSPITAL(…
CREMATION
GROUND(2.34)
1%
AREA UNDER
COLLEGE(8.74)
3%
DISTRICT
PARK(36.5)
12%
RESIDENTIAL
AREA(129.75)
43%
CIRCULATION(29.8
8)
10%
SCHOOLS(30.75)
10% (30.75 HEC)
PARKS AND OPEN
SPACES(30.35)
10%
COMMUNITY
CENTRE(7.47)…
TOTAL AREA OF PASCHIM VIHAR-291.12 HEC
OPEN SPACE
3%
NEIGHBORHOOD
PARKS
2%
TOT-LOT
4%

Reasons For Failure Of Active Recreation Zones
A number of parks and open spaces
have been encroached upon by local
dwellers for illegal activities such as
parking of vehicles, storage of
construction materials etc.
Maintenance of parks is a humongous
task. A number of these parks are not
adequately maintained by civic agencies.
Security is a major concern with usability
of open spaces. Threat from anti-social
elements and lack of safety prevents
citizens from going to the areas alone.
There is a lack of awareness among
residents about planned tot-lots. Result
is a few of them have illegally been
encroached upon.
Access and linkage: Location of open
spaces sometimes raises concern. It is
observed that tot-lots are most easy to
encroach upon.
Poor Entrance and visually inaccessible
spaces.

 Sociability: Inhabitants find it difficult to find other enthusiasts of
recreational activities to pursue it as a group event. Their network is
limited to their own group of friends and colleagues.
 Outdoor reservation resources review commission (ORRRC) states that
individual’s demand for outdoor recreation is dependent on disposable
income, amount of leisure time, mobility. Recreational activity suitable
for one might not be appropriate for the other. Finding people with
same requirements is a challenge.
 Engagement of inhabitants for long term is an issue. The will and
benefits to pursue an activity regularly is often not on priority of
citizens.
Availability of facilities

Rahgiri: It is a concept initiated by
government in which public roads in some
parts of Delhi are closed for vehicular
movement for a certain number of hours on
Sunday and is instead used by citizens for
recreational activities, interaction and
socializing. The concept has been a huge
success among young adults.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)
together with the New Delhi Police
Department took the lead in hosting car-free
Sundays in the inner circle of New Delhi’s
Connaught Place each week.
Currently it is organised at Connaught Place,
Rohini, Dwarka
Changes In Government Policy for Promoting
Active Recreation

Transit oriented Development: Policy
formulated to promote development of
area around transit nodes thereby inducing
people to prefer walking and using public
transportation over personal modes of
transport. As per MPD 2021, in TOD zones,
20% of public recreational/ open spaces
shall remain open for general public at all
times. This will not only help in easily
accessible and maintained open
recreational zones, but will also promote
users to use the space because of vicinity.

Adopt a Park scheme: Maintenance of
parks and open spaces is a major issue.
These spaces are the easiest to encroach
upon. An experiment to discourage such
activities is by including public private
partnership. In “adopt a park” where
voluntary organizations are allowed to
develop and maintain the existing parks.
The voluntary organizations in return are
given benefits that enable them to earn
revenue. These include putting up of
ecofriendly kiosks for selling food items,
nursery, apart from right to put up
advertisements on park furniture. This will
also help in creating active spaces within
parks and attract users

Conclusion
• Statistical analysis shows the will of citizens to adopt fitness regimes. Government organizations are experimenting with new policies
and ideas to promote recreational activities and protect existing open spaces. Even with such attempts being followed, loss of open
areas to encroachment reflects a need for planned initiatives with periodic monitoring and increased public private partnership
proposals for solutions beneficial for all.
• Solutions need to be arrived to resolve problems of increasing urbanization and decreasing open spaces. To accommodate
functional requirements of urban areas, these open spaces are targeted and converted to built areas.
• Better planning of open spaces is required for equitable distribution of recreational spaces within residents of all zones. Gap
between planning and implementation needs to be analysed at policy level.
• Special emphasis needs to be placed at designing, implementation and maintenance of tot-lots. This is because they are the most
approachable open spaces and are most vulnerable to encroachments.
• More policies that involve participation of local residents in using and maintaining open spaces need to be formulated. It is also
essential to form physical and visual connections between open spaces to promote continued usability.
• The issue of active recreation also needs to be looked at from the perspective of daily activities and not just confined to special zones.
Well-designed streets that promote walkability and easily available resources at walkable distances act as a city to form the ground
for recreation itself.

Thank You

Analysis of Active recreational Zones in Delhi

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