This document summarizes a study of an urban neighborhood in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. The neighborhood was selected due to its mixed land use and role as a witness to the city's historical development. A land use analysis found commercial, residential, public, and recreational areas. Issues included lack of green space, traffic, and waste. Urban development policies like JNNURM, PMAY, and Smart Cities have helped but more decentralization is needed. Remedial measures proposed include green spaces, historic preservation, and sustainable development.

1. APPRECIATION OF AN URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD AT DEHRADUN,
UTTRAKHAND
Anoushka Tyagi
Department of Environmental Planning (EP),
School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal, India.
Abstract:
Cities are the epicenters of growth where the analysis of an Urban Neighborhood is the key to
planning and delivering solutions for issues. The social-economic & political status, the housing
style, occupation, migration, religion & historical developments over the years are factors that
effect the urban development of a neighborhood.
Despite various government policies, efforts from NGO’s the envisioned objectives have not been
delivered. The task of planners in this area is very important as the quality of life in cities is depleted
and the need for planning to provide solutions to improve the quality of life in urban environments
is felt more than ever. The purpose of this study is to identify, compare and evaluate the essence,
historical development, issues and challenges in a neighborhood of the city of Dehradun. The
flourishing capital city Dehradun is falling prey to the problems of Urbanization where strong city
planning is essential in managing issues.
Introduction:
The historic city of Dehradun lies in the Himalayan foothills. The outskirts of Doon are enriched by
natural resources like national parks, rivers, dense green forests with a variety of flora and fauna,
a fruit of the invasion of the British East India company during 1815’s. This town is snuggled
between two holiest rivers of India, Yamuna and Ganga. Surrounded by the Shivalik range in the
south and in the east & north east by the river Ganges, geographically some Eco-sensitive zones
surround the city.
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Dehradun in 2011 was 5,78,420
where male and female are 303,411 and 275,009 respectively. Dehradun known as a Residential
town and an educational Hub with institutions of national importance like the Forest Research
Institute, the Indian Military Academy, Survey of India is now evolving as a business center of the
state of Uttarakhand. This affects the existing character of the town and with the new urban
development policies like the JNNURM, PMAY and the SMART CITY we have rapid development to
look forward to.

2. Localities in the city have a rich historic past and a certain development character now being
pushed by the urbanization and increasing population the basic facilities fall short. The older parts
of the town have less space and scope of development, the new areas are facing haphazard
growth. To study the following pattern the site selection was crucial. The site thus selected has a
mixed land-use and is a witness to the historical development of Dehradun. With varied socio-
economic aspects, and users from all religions of the society. The site has a good potential for
Urban development.
Land-use study of the site:
The prominent land use is commercial distributed mainly along the roads. The commercial markets
include automobile and vehicle repair shops, sanitary and construction material shops. The paltan
bazaar is the oldest market of Dehradun has mainly cloth and food stores. Many restaurants and
hotels are also present on the site. The reason for a prominent commercial market is the proximity
to the railway station, taxi stand and the old bus stand (now shifted in the outskirts of the city)
where the site is also a thoroughfare for the goods coming from business hubs like Delhi.
The public and semi-public areas are the district (Tehsil) and civil courts, official offices like the
cyber crime headquarters, the Uttarakhand Housing and urban development authority, police
headquarters and the RTO.
The old densely populated areas are a result of the early historic developments of the city.
The recreational zones are public parks namely Gandhi park and green spaces within housing
societies.
STUDY AREA: Prince chowk to Darshan Laal chowk including the Dhamawalla Mohalla & Dalanwala
IMAGE SOURCE: Google Earth pro
Date: 7/10/2020

3. Two large cemeteries also exist on the site due to different religious communities living together.
Reason for site selection:
Dehradun the capital city has a rich history also mentioned in the scriptures. The city was
established by the Sikh guru Shri guru ram rai in the year 1675. The site is a witness to this
development. Followed by the Gurkha regiment rule and the British regiment war in 1900’s. Under
the British rule the clock tower and the famous Paltan bazaar, network of canals, orchards & the
famous basmati rice of Dehradun came into existence.
The jhanda Sahib & the Innamullah building
The site is home to some prominent activities like the 100 years old innamulaah building, the jhand
sahib, cybercrime head office, city fire safety services, the district hospital, civil and district court
and proximity to the railway station.
Land-use Plan of the study area
IMAGE SOURCE: MDDA Masterplan 2006-2025

4. The present site conditions speak of the unaccounted growth, which lead to issues like the lack of
green spaces, increased vehicles leading to traffic and parking problems, dumping of waste on
road sides, water logging and increased criminal activities.
The character and essence of the site is depicted through the activities mapped and other physical
attributes:
Activity Mapping
IMAGE SOURCE: Self-made Digital illustration
Land-marks around the site
IMAGE SOURCE: Google earth

5. Prominent community influences:
Sikh community: With the advent of the Sikh guru rami rai the area has a strong Sikh influence
which is visible in the commercial, food and religious structures on site
Muslim community: After the invasion of Mahmud gahzni the site has a strong influence of the
Muslim community and building dating back to 100 years old.
People live in harmony and contribute to the occupation and economic development of the
state.

6. Mapping of physical attributes to understand the exiting planning on the site
Figure Ground map
Inferences:
• Depicts the relationship between the Built & Un built spaces
• Densely populated area, Density per Metre SQ=550(CENSUS 2011)
• Narrow Secondary and tertiary lanes
• Linear Development along roads
• No specific settlement pattern is followed
Building Heights Map
Built percentage: 75%
Unbuilt: 25%
GF 20%
G+1 35%
G+2 40%
G+3 9.8%
G+5 & more
0.2%
GF
G+1
G+2
G+3
G+5 & more

7. Inferences:
• No high-rise buildings
• Height to road ratio of the major streets are not in proportion, thus some residential
areas do not receive proper sunlight & ventilation.
Lit and Unlit spaces
Inferences:
There is a feeling of fear and insecurity in the densely packed zones with narrow lanes and no
lighting.
The open site of old bus stand also generates a scary feeling due the lack of lighting.

8. Social Infrastructure

9. Shops and Restaurants
Stitched elevations

10. Urban Development Policies
The city is selected under the following three Urban policies:
JNNURM(Jawahar Lal Nehru urban renewal mission) 2005 aims:
• Housing projects for rehabilitation of the Urban poo
• Linkages between surrounding cities
• Take-up urban renewal program i.e., redevelopment of old cities area to reduce
congestion.
• Transport projects: Poor implementation
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-2015) aims:
• Providing housing to the urban poor till the year 2022
• 9 projects are proposed in Dehradun.
Smart city mission 2015 aims:
• Congestion Free City
• Slum free city by 2022
• Green City by 2030
• Smart Planned & Sustainable Cities
• An Innovation & Business Hub
• Clean and Healthy City
• Heritage Restoration
The following Urban policies have been delivering the objectives by making a masterplan for
year 2006-2025 under the JNNURM, where the city centres and business hubs are
distributed to different parts. The paltan bazar, Raja road, Gandhi road and the Saharanpur
road in the site have been a witness to the following.

11. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana two housing societies have been delivered to the
community.Under the Smart city mission the site has received some good facilities like free
WIFI along major roads, light poles, E-rickshaw, water ATMS and public toilets. Regular
cleaning of public dustbins has also been started.
These policies have been fruitful for the city, but the development should be kept into check
within the prescribed limits. With the change in the governments the policies are sent at the
backseat and checks on these things are missed.
Issues and challenges
• Migration
• Lack of Green Areas
• No neighborhood Recreational Parks or community Spaces
• Many old buildings of Historic importance are under conflicts thus no renovation.
• Parking of vehicles on roads
• Dimly lit areas
• Vegetable vendors occupying the market roads
• Late or untimely removal of waste
• Road blockages during Festivities
• Water Logging
• Encroachment
• Lethargic attitude of Government.

12. Remedial Measures
• Decentral the city promoting
• self-sustaining neighborhoods
• Green Spaces, Recreation Area, Neighborhood Parks
• Retrofitting and Preservation of old houses & Shops
• Solar Lights
• Bus shelters
• Parking
• Emergency Bays
Conclusion
Globally urban areas are growing at an alarming rate. The growth of the city has taken place over
a period of time at different places. For a urban planner, it is important to monitor and
understand the dynamics of urban growth continuously. Resource allocation and proper use is a
big challenge, thus commenting on the existing policies would require a detailed study.
Therefore, community participation, speedy on ground work and not forgetting the old areas
should be the priority. More public spaces and sustainable development are the key to the
future of urbanizing cities.
References
Dehradun Master Plan Amended 2019, issuing authority MDDA Dehradun
SMARTNET, Dehradun Smart city
City Development Plan: Dehradun Under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM), May 2007, GHK International, UK in association with Infrastructure Professionals
Enterprise ENC Consulting Engineers