'Cities must focus on legacy, fresh waste'

At the sixth edition of the IE Thinc: CITIES series, presented by The Indian Express with Omidyar Network India and moderated by Manraj Grewal Sharma, Resident Editor, Chandigarh, panellists discussed how Chandigarh can solve its waste management issues

Kapil Setia: Chandigarh was the first city conceived post-independence as a benchmark for India's development, symbolising the aspirations of a new, developing nation. The aim was to move away from traditional town mechanisms and create a sustainable, equitable society where the poorest had access to the same amenities as the rich. Socialism was the guiding principle. It was about building an inclusive city for all.

The original plan was conceived by American planner Albert Mayer and Polish architect Matthew Nowicki. They designed Chandigarh's layout inspired by a leaf vein network, creating blocks and superblocks, later called sectors, forming the city's core. This structure introduced the idea that human activity functions best when organised into four essential needs: living, working, care of body, mind, and spirit, and circulation. Ensuring these were well-planned was critical to making the city comfortable and efficient.

Chandigarh was initially designed for a population of half a million, with each neighbourhood or sector catering to 80 per cent human activity, covering essentials like education, religion, culture, recreation, and open spaces. The city's circulation system was car-driven, reflecting post-industrial trends, and this grid-based approach became a model for other urban planning projects.

In 2015, the master plan emphasised creating self-sustaining sectors for water, power, open spaces, air and solid waste management. However, the original plan lacked a proper solid waste management system, leading to legacy waste issues, particularly on the city's western flank. The industrial area and railway station were wisely placed to avoid pollution in residential zones, but selection of the dumping site failed to follow the same principle, causing ongoing problems.