C

A
S
E

S
T
U
D
Y
:
1

K
A
R
O
L

B
A
G
H

R
E
D
E
V
E
L
O
P
M
E
N
T

Karol Bagh is a mixed residential-cum commercial neighbourhood in Delhi, known for its shopping streets, like the
Ghaffar Market and Ajmal Khan Road. It is one of the three administrative subdivisions, of the Central Delhi district,
of the NCR.


History
In 1920s, residents of villages like Madhoganj, Jaisingh Pura and Raja ka Bazaar evacuated to build Connaught
Place and nearby areas, they were relocated in Karol Bagh to the West, then a rocky area populated by trees and
wild, bushes.

The area was primarily residential with a large Muslimpopulation until the exodus of many Muslims to Pakistan and
an influx of refugees fromWest Punjab after partition in 1947, many of whomwere traders.

There remains a sizeable Marathi, Tamil-speaking population. Karol Bagh was also home to a
large Bengali community, and has one of the oldest Durga Puja in the city, though their numbers have now
increased many folds most of themworking as jewellers.
Introduction
EXERPTS FROM MPD 2021
Important Commercial Centre outside Walled City
Redevelopment based on Mixed Use Concept
Provision of Parking
Up-gradation of facilities and utilities
Gridiron pattern is an asset to be used to regulate
& pedestrianize traffic movement
Context, Principles and intervention area
South east: Connaught place
North East: Old Delhi Station, Shahjahnabad
East: New Delhi Station

MPD-2001 proposed urban renewal of 2600 ha. of old built
up area, known as 'Special Area' which has been divided into
4 Urban Renewal Areas namely (i) Walled City (ii) Karol Bagh
(iii) Other Urban Renewal Areas, and, (iv) Specific use zone
areas.

Karol Bagh has a distinct physical structure of walkable
blocks and a network of neighbourhood parks. It is Strategy
also a shopping destination and a thriving business district
making it one of the most important mixed use districts in
the NCR region.
The District is structured around Ajmal Khan Road
and Arya Samaj Road that form the major shopping
streets along with Pusa Road/ Dayal Chowk as the
gateway to the district. DB Gupta is a strategic city
wide connector.
Initial Concepts:
Reinforce the pedestrian character of Ajmal Khan
Road
Create opportunities for placemaking at major
pedestrian nodes: Karol Bagh Metro Station and
Intersection of Ajmal Khan & Arya Samaj Road
Establish the street network as per pedestrian
guidelines by UTTIPEC
Strategy
Two step approach to address the public realm improvements in
Karol Bagh.

Strategy 1:
Streets & Plazas Program
Strategy 2:
Parks & Places Program
S
T
R
A
T
E
G
Y

1

S
T
R
A
T
E
G
Y

2

Streets & Plazas Program
Ajmal Khan road
Placemaking at major pedestrian
nodes
Establishing the street network- Major North South
Connector Roads- Saraswati & Gurudwara Road

Ajmal Khan road
STREETSCAPE CHARACTER: AMENITIES
Detail segment showing various
street components
Seating and Kiosk Art and Shelter
PLAZAS: METRO CHOWK, ARYA SAMAJ, AJMAL KHAN
Parks & Place Program
The network of parks and streets in Karol Bagh create a
strong contrast of urban experience between active
Ajmal Khan Road and the passive, more local parks. We
propose to enhance the fabric of the park along with
the improvements in public realm of the streets. These
in turn are seen as being anchors in the local life of the
neighbourhood.
Initial Concepts:
Enhance the visual linkages of the park with the
public realm.
Propose special paving on the streets around the
park.
Proposed special treatment to the park edge along
the major street to highlight the entry and create a
green zone.
Propose small neighbourhood plaza where space is
available
Existing Character of a typical Park
No visual connection
High Boundary wall with high
fence
Parking all around the park
Interventions:
Pedestrian friendly traffic calming measures
Boundary wall lowered to minimumwith fence
Shade and shelter elements
Seating and lighting
Ajmal Khan Road to park connection: Park A &C
Existing scenario around parks: Parking, inaccessible (high walls)
Proposed interventions: No barriers, change in texture
PARK C
S T R E E T S R E T R OF I T T I NG: S T R E E T S R E T R O F I T T I N G :
PEDESTRIAN GUIDELINES AND KEY JUNCTIONS:
Gurudwara Road
Pusa Road
Proposed traffic circulation plan
Key Junctions
Arya Samaj road and Gurudwara Road
Arya Samaj road and Ajmal Khan Road
The area is characterised by
commercial development along the
Ajmal Khan road, Gurudwara road
etc. followed by mixed use
development along with typologies
like hotels and lodges along the
second/ third block in the area