UNIT-V - EMERGING AREAS OF IMPORTANCE

The Delhi Urban Art Commission was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1973 to "advise the
Government of India in the matter of preserving, developing and maintaining the aesthetic quality
of urban and environmental design within Delhi and to provide advice and guidance to any local
body in respect of any project of building operations or engineering operations or any development
proposal which affects or is like to affect the skyline or the aesthetic quality of the surroundings or
any public amenity provided therein"

The area of urban Delhi has expanded and it has become more densely built in the years since the
DUAC was constituted.

This gives even greater relevance to the injunctions in the original mandate. Ecology and heritage
are more pressing concerns now, the difficulties of seeing the city as a whole in a situation where
there are many decision- making bodies is more evident than before, and there is urgent need to
have a vision for the future of the city's constituent elements.

If in the 1970s the predominant concern was about uncontrolled high-rise development, in the
1980s issues linked with Asian Games in the 1990s the building of Dwarka and the freezing of the
New Delhi Bungalow area, this decade's main concerns are about four issues - the threats to the
remaining oases of open spaces, riverine and forest, the need to improve the quality of life in
historic precincts, the need to ensure that dilapidated areas are 'redeveloped' elegantly, and to find
ways in which traffic networks can work efficiently but with a humane quality. The DUAC took
significant initiative to highlight city-level issues in an exhibition Imagining Delhi.

The major activities of the Commission ranged over many issues. The new Metro lines and the
Commonwealth Games projects, and extensions to existing institutions, were examined in the
context of the underlying ecology and of historic neighbourhoods. Agencies with overlapping
jurisdiction were invited to discussions for norms about street furniture, and (with the cooperation
of the NCT Government) to identify ways to 'improve' Shahjahanabad.
Pilot projects initiated by DUAC, to serve as templates, include the proposals on Khirkee Village and
on Sunheri Bagh, and the work on a Zonal Development Plan for the NDMC.

Much time and thought has been given to the pressing issues of modifying and adding to transport-
corridors.

The Commission has been organizing workshops from time to time on important issues concerning
the Capital City.

To draw attention of all concerned to hazards involved in the issue of additions to existing inhabited
multistoried housing projects the Commission organized a workshop in March 09.

With a view to promote work of Art as an integral part of public projects particularly at the
Commonwealth Games Venues the Commission organized another workshop on 11.4.09.
The Commission took the opportunity of the Commonwealth Games to showcase Delhi to the
visitors to the City as well as its citizens through an exhibition called 'Delhinama'.

The biography of this fascinating city unfolded through over a year of intense research work by a
group of scholars, professionals and crafts people. Layer by layer the team unearthed amazing
continuities hidden in the folds of time, of this throbbing contemporary megapolis.

In this effort the Commission also received the active assistance of a number of national and
international institutions as well as support of the Government of India and the Government of the
National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The Commission which was reconstituted in June 2011 took significant steps to streamline the
existing procedures and expedite the time taken for consideration of proposals.

One such primary assignment undertaken by the Commission was drawing a list of criteria which
play a significant role relating to aesthetics of public buildings.

Based on these criteria the proforma for reference of proposals to the Commission was modified.
Once an undertaking is given through the proforma by the project proponent/architect, minimal
time is taken by the Commission for consideration of the proposal.

The streamlining of the procedure helped in significant reduction in the consideration time in
respect of proposals referred to the Commission.

Another important area where the Commission has issued broad guidelines to acknowledge the
contribution of architect, engineers etc. to public buildings is insisting on provision of a plaque in all
existing and proposed public buildings indicating the name of the architect, engineer, owner, etc.

The Commission has also been emphasizing on the need for conducting of architectural
competitions for all important public buildings based on the fees and stages of payment prescribed
by the Council of Architecture instead of selecting the architect through the bidding process.
The Commission strongly feels that this would help in bringing forward the best talent for the
project instead of giving predominance to financial criteria. The Commission with the approval of
the Government has taken up important City level projects indicated below :-

1. Site Specific designs for wards

2. Rehabilitation proposals for Unauthorized colony/slums
3. One proposal in respect of vision for Delhi
4. High Rise Development Proposals Along Metro Corridors
5. Rejuvenation of Delhis Gardens
6. Preparation of design and prototype for high-tech public toilets
7. Unified Building bye-laws for Delhi
Role of urban Arts Commissions:
Short title, extent and commencement -
1 (1) This Act may be called the Delhi Urban Art Commission Act,
1973.
(2) It extends to the whole of the Union territory of Delhi.
(3) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint.

Definitions
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "building" includes any structure or erection or part of a structure or erection which is intended
to be used for residential, industrial, commercial or other purposes, whether in actual use or not;
(b) "building operations" includes rebuilding operations, structural alterations of, or additions to,
buildings and other operations normally undertaken in connection with the construction of
buildings;
(c) "Commission" means the Delhi Urban Art Commission established under section 3;
(d) "Delhi" means the Union territory of Delhi;
(e) "development" with its grammatical variations means the carrying out of building, engineering,
mining or other operations in, on, over or under, land or the making of any material change in any
building or land and includes re-development;
(f) "engineering operations" includes the formation or laying out of means of access to a road or the
laying out of means of water supply;
(g) "local body" means the Delhi Municipal Corporation established under the Delhi Municipal
Corporation Act, 1957 [66 of 1957], the New Delhi Municipal Committee constituted under the
Punjab Municipal Act, 1911 [Punjab Act III of 1911] as in force in Delhi, the Delhi Development
Authority constituted under the Delhi Development Act, 1957 [61 of 1957], or any other local
authority concerned with urban development of Delhi;
(h) "member" means a member of the Commission and includes its Chairman;
(i) "public amenity" includes road, water supply, street lighting, drainage, sewerage, public works
and such other convenience as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
specify to be a public amenity for the purposes of this Act;
(j) "regulation" means a regulation made under this Act by the Commission;
(k) "rule" means a rule made under this Act by the Central Government.

Functions of the Commission

11(1) It shall be the general duty of the Commission to advise the Central Government in the matter
of preserving, developing and maintaining the aesthetic. quality of urban and environmental
design within Delhi and to provide advice and guidance to any local body in respect of any project of
building operations or engineering operations or any development proposal which affects
or is likely to affect the sky-line or the aesthetic quality of surroundings or any public amenity
provided therein.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section

(1), it shall be the duty of the Commission to scrutinise, approve, reject or modify proposals
in respect of the following matters, namely :-

(a) development of district centres, civic centres, areas earmarked for Government administrative
buildings and for residential complexes, public parks and public gardens;
(b) re-development of the area within the jurisdiction of New Delhi Municipal Committee including
Connaught Place Complex and its environs, Central Vista, the entire bungalow area of Lutyen's New
Delhi, and such other areas as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
specify;
(c) plans, architectural expressions and visual appearance of new buildings in the centres, areas,
parks and gardens specified in clauses (a) and (b) including selections of models or statues and
fountains therein;
(d) re-development of areas in the vicinity of Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Qutab, Humayun's Tomb, Old
Fort, Tuglakabad and of such other places of historical importance as the Central Government may,
by notification in the Official Gazette, specify;

(e) conservation, preservation and beautification of monumental buildings, public parks and public
gardens including location or installation of statues or fountains therein;

(f) under-passes, over-passes and regulations of street furniture and hoardings;

(g) location and plans of power houses, water towers, television and other communication towers
and other allied structures;

(h) any other project or lay-out which is calculated to beautify Delhi or to add to its cultural vitality
or to enhance the quality of the surroundings thereof;
(i) such other matters as may be prescribed by rules.
Explanation - for the purposes of this sub-section, ---
(i) "civic centre" means the Headquarters of a local body comprising therein, its office buildings and
buildings intended for cultural activities;
(ii) "Connaught Place Complex" means the area comprising Connaught Place and its extension
measuring approximately 140 hectares, being the area described as Zone D-I (Revised) in the Delhi
Master Plan;
(iii) "district centre" means a self-contained unit created in the Delhi Master Plan comprising areas
for retail shopping, general business, commercial and professional offices, forwarding, booking and
Government offices, cinemas, restaurants and other places of entertainment.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1) and sub-section (2), the
Commission may suo motu promote and secure the development; re-development or beautification
of any areas in Delhi in, respect of which no proposals in that behalf have been received from any
local body.
Powers of the Commission
15. For the purpose of performing its functions under this Act, the Commission shall have the same
powers as are vested in a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
[5 of 1908], in respect of the following matters, namely:
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him;
(b) requiring discovery and production of any documents;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any office;
(e) any other matter which may be prescribed by rules
Architectural Controls
The term Architectural Controls (also: Architectural Guidelines) in urban planning refers to the
design guidelines used to harmonize and enhance the exterior presentation of homes and buildings
with the general scheme of civic design. They often include materials, colors, styles, massing,
textures and scales.

History
The emergence of the theory and early practice of Architectural Controls dates back to the pre-war
era of 1930s America. Discussion of the theory and application can be found in the seminal article
by Harry B Brainerd: A Brief for Architectural Controls, published in the American Institute of
Planners in 1938.

In a paper that goes far beyond esthetics, Brainerd makes a broad and compelling case for the use of
Architectural Control as a public welfare measure intended to enhance the amenities of life from a
physical, economic and social planning perspective. Like today, productive debate raged on the value
and amount of regulation necessary. Early discussion revolved heavily around the rights of the
individual property owner VS the impact on the community as a whole.

Application
Today, the establishment and enforcement of Architectural Controls are often left to the discretion
of the Land Developer in collaboration local regulatory oversight, such as a City Planning
Commission or Development Approvals Board. Land Developers may contract with an Advisory firm
of Architectural Consultants, Architectural Technologists or Residential Designers to help
communicate and often enforce standards through the process of Architectural Approval.
Architectural Controls can also be established and enforced by a local Community Association or
civic administration. This is often the case in more affluent suburbs in the United States and Canada.
Scope of Architectural Guidelines
In new community development Architectural Guidelines typically deal with materials, colors, styles,
massing, textures and scales as well as landscaping attributes. These are most often administered on
behalf of homebuyers by their builder, in collaboration with the Land Developer or the Developers
Architectural Consultants.

In addition, Architectural Guidelines can be extended to encompass a wide array of factors that may
extend beyond the scope of building or landscape design. Although the following is not an
exhaustive list, here are items that can be impacted by Architectural Controls or similar ordinances:
Woodpiles
Trash, Trash Containers & Recyclables
Rain barrels
Gazebos & Outbuilding
Gas grills
Landscaping including Plant Varieties, Materials and/or Garden Plots & Composting
Fences
Decorative Objects, Exterior Lights, Flag Poles
House Numbers
Decks, Patios, Retaining Walls and Walkways
Clothes Lines
Basketball Backboards & Polls
In-home Businesses
Building Maintenance
Yard and Landscape Maintenance Requirements
Placement of Tarps, Vehicles or Construction Materials
Awnings and Sun Trellises
Animal Shelters and Dog Runs
Air Conditioner Units
Consequences
Architectural Guidelines and related ordinances are often reinforced through legal or practical
structures, and careful consideration should be given of the consequences before embarking on any
project that could be impacted by existing or future guidelines.

The term Architectural Controls is synonymous with: Architectural Guidelines, Residential

Guidelines, Design Guidelines, Architectural Standards.
What is Architectural Control?
Architectural Control is a process in which a licensed architect reviews and approves designs for the
exterior appearance of houses. The Community Design Guidelines and other standards, such as the
Development Design Guidelines form the basis for this review.
Why Architectural Control?
Single-family homes (ground-related residential development) form a significant part of new
development. New policies needed promote a high quality of built environment and of new
development.
Architectural control results in increased quality of built environment, communities with character
and identity where various components (single-family homes, apartments, commercial and
institutional development) create a whole, where the sum is larger than the parts.
Who is doing Architectural Control?
Licensed architects will oversee and sign off the work of various designers and builders for exterior
appearance.
What is the Control Architects role?
Compliance and quality control for the Control Architects work, monitoring of the process and
reporting.
What is the Citys role?
Compliance and quality control for the Control Architects work, monitoring of the process and
reporting.
Rules for architectural control and development:
Some other important points covered by the NATIONAL BUILDINGCODE OF INDIA 2005 include
industrialized systems of building and architectural control.
The increase in population in the years to come will have a serious impact on the housing problem. It has
been estimated that the urban population of India will continue to increase with such pace as to maintain
the pressure on demand of accommodation for them.
Speed of construction is thus of an utmost importance and special consideration has to be given to
industrialized systems of building.
With increased building activity, it is also essential that there should be some architectural control in the
development of our cities and towns if creation of ugliness and slum-like conditions in our urban areas is to
be avoided.
Some of the important changes are:
a) A new Part O Integrated Approach Prerequisite for Applying the Provisions of the Code emphasizing
on multi-disciplinary team approach for successfully accomplishing building/development project, has
been incorporated.
b) New chapters on significant areas like structural design using bamboo, mixed/composite construction
and landscaping have been added.
c) Number of provisions relating to reform in administration of the Code as to assigning duties and
responsibilities to all concerned professionals, have been incorporated/modified. Also detailed
provisions/ performance to ensure structural sufficiency of buildings, have been prescribed so as to
facilitate implementation of the related requirements to help safely face the challenges during natural
disasters like earthquake.
d) Planning norms and requirements for hilly areas and rural habitat planning, apart from detailed planning
norms for large number of amenities have been incorporated.
e) Fire safety aspects have been distinctly categorized into fire prevention, life safety and fire protection
Other significant modifications incorporated include:
a) Modifications in the definitions of certain terms;
b) Inclusion of the concept of team of building officials;
c) Inclusion of provision of single window approach for permit for all services;
d) Inclusion of provisions regarding computerization of approval processes for building permits;
e) Inclusion of provision to certify safety of buildings against natural disaster by engineer/structural
engineer and owner;
f) Inclusion of provision of two stage permit for high rise residential buildings and special buildings;
g) Provisions regarding inspection of completed and occupied building by the Authority from safety point
of view have been made comprehensive;
h) Inclusion of provision empowering engineers/architects for sanctioning plans of residential buildings up
to 500 mz;
i) Provisions for architectural control to effectively take care of the urban aesthetics, have been modified;
and k) Inclusion of landscape architect and urban designer among the registered professionals for the
concerned applicable works.

ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL schemes, say an architect or an engineer, may examine either alone or with the
owner Compliance with the provisions of the Code is study of the plans, elevations, models, etc, adequate
for normal buildings. But for major public should be made. The architect/engineer building complexes or
buildings coming up in an should explain in general terms the purposes important area near
historic/monumental buildings and which the building is to serve and the main areas of heritage, the
aesthetics of the whole scheme conditions which have influenced him in may also have to be examined, vis-
a-vis existing preparing the design. structures.
In addition, any development which may be the Commission after full discussion, may the general
characteristics and environment of communicate their decision in writing to the historical, architectural or
other monuments should also parties concerned. The Commission maybe subject to the provisions of this
clause. This clause recommend a change in the whole scheme is intended to cover very few structures to
come up in suggest modifications in the existing scheme, the vicinity of other declared historically important
if so required. structures, and the scrutiny shall be limited to the external architectural features only so as to
ensure an 18.4 The Urban Arts Commission should also be aesthetic continuance of the existing structures
with charged with advising the city government, on the new schemes. The scrutiny shall not deal with the
routine which will beautify the city and add to its cultural building plan scrutiny from other requirements of
vitality.

Architectural procedure for obtaining development and building features serving no other function except
that of permits, and responsibility of the owner. Decoration shall be excluded for the purpose of measuring
heights. This Code is called the National Building Code of India, hereinafter referred to as the Code.