3. The Masterplan

In this episode, we will talk about the development of the Chandigarh masterplan. We will look at the design strategy behind the streets, the philosophy of the sector and the role of 'mistakes' in the masterplan. We'll also learn how Corbusier paid homage to the Mayer-Nowicki plan as well as the anthropomorphic nature of the Chandigarh plan. Finally, we'll briefly discuss the placement of the Capitol Complex and the Sukhna Lake. 

TIMESTAMPS:

1:13 - What was the thinking behind the zig-zag arrangement of the sectors? Where is sector 13?

4:59 - The reason behind the curve in the Madhya Marg and other east-west marks

6:46 - ‘Mistakes’ in the masterplan; embracing the perfectly imperfect roughness of the concrete

8:57 - Reasons behind the hierarchy embedded in the plan and housing types

10:33 - Where is the ‘heart’ of the city? What makes sector-22 special?

13:08 - Corbusier’s proposal of mass housing blocks for Chandigarh; the extendability of the Secretariat

16:00 - The modularity of the masterplan set up for southward expansion

18:22 - Anthropomorphism in Chandigarh’s plan; the logic of the green belts as continuous playing fields

21:28 - The layout of the sector and homage to Mayer & Nowicki in the Corbusier plan in certain sectors

25:24 - Special sectors for museums (sector 10) and schools (sector 26)

27:54 - Was the golf course and Chandigarh club part of the original brief for the city?

30:56 - Corbusier complaining to Nehru and not being paid enough

33:35 - The internal facing sector houses, sheltered from traffic across the city

35:35 - The ‘displacement’ of villages to accommodate the masterplan; except for temples

37:22 - Chandigarh’s unique tree planting strategy and MS Randhawa’s role

41:21 - The siting of the Capitol Complex compared to the Mayer-Nowicki plan

44:24 - PL Verma, dams and a brief history of the lake