The Times of India  03.11.2010

NEW DELHI: Delhi will be sporting a bit of Barcelona, Paris and Helsinki soon, as the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) new initiative to rope in experts from international cities in urban planning for redevelopment of the capital is set to start with the MoU with Barcelona, Spain. The Spanish city known in the planning circles for its expertise in conservation of built heritage as well as public urban spaces will form the template for redevelopment in Delhi as well, say DDA officials.

It's not just Barcelona that will be lending a helping hand. Officials say that talks are on with Paris for its expertise in local area planning, and Helsinki for environmental planning, to come forth and share their experiences and resources.

Said B D Risbud, a senior consultant with DDA, "The idea is to use the expertise from across various cities for inner city development. The expertise need not only come from international cities... we plan to also tap into the resources of neighbouring cities like Mumbai, which has expertise in squatter aggregation for instance.'' Denying that the sharing would only be one-way, DDA officials say the participating city in the MoU would also be using resources and expertise of the DDA.

Added the official, "Like we will use the vision of the development of Barcelona for Delhi, they too, will use our experiences in urban planning.''

While no specific projects have been pencilled in yet for the initiative, DDA officials say that Barcelona's expertise in using public urban spaces effectively will be the template for redevelopment of commercial hubs like Nehru Place, scheduled for next year. Said the DDA official, "The initial object is to arrange feasible, mutual exchange of experts for studies, conferences, seminars, training and visits. We will also coordinate the dissemination of research data and innovations undertaken by other organisations.''

Said the official, "Barcelona has been in the forefront of the urban rejuvenation and redevelopment. The transformation of the city's Eixample district, a garden city consisting of 520 street blocks, has been the biggest examples of conservation to built heritage coupled with redevelopment of public urban infrastructure.'' According to officials, the modern transformation of Barcelona began with preparations for the 1992 Olympics. Faced with urban decay in both inner and peripheral districts, planners had to take a holistic approach. The Olympic Village, developed on abandoned industrial land close to the coast, was the backbone of the rejuvenation, with construction of six artificial beaches on either side of the Olympic Port. The inner city districts were also spruced up, even as the marginal (read criminal) elements on the periphery of the districts were cleared out.

Post Olympics, the city was developed further, with the coming up of a high technology zone, a new container port and logistics park etc, all constructed on coastal brownfield and reclaimed land.

The MoU with Barcelona will be concentrating on redevelopment of the Walled City and its extensions with emphasis on government-owned properties as well as promotion of privately owned ones. A conservation policy that looks at adopting conservative surgery as a planning tool is also on the cards. Integration of historical monuments and precincts in the layout plans of the areas will be a priority as well. Guidelines for development, redevelopment, addition and alterations, repairs, renovations and reuse of heritage buildings form a part of the MoU. Design for upgradation and redevelopment of selected public squares and public urban infrastructure in Delhi may, perhaps be the most important part of the MoU, admit DDA officials.