110

CHAPTER 4
THE STUDY AREA- CHENNAI CITY

4.1

INTRODUCTION
Chennai, situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, is the capital

of Tamilnadu and the fourth largest metropolis in India. Its older name Madras
was officially changed to Chennai in 1996. The Chennai Metropolis (with a
latitude between 1250'49" and 1317'24", and a longitude between 7959'53"
and 8020'12") is located on the Coramandal coast in South India and the land
is a flat coastal plain.
The Chennai Metropolitan Area comprises of the area covered by the
Chennai City Corporation (Chennai District), an area of 176 sq.km
comprising of 155 wards (villages/ Local Bodies) in 10 corporation zones as
shown in Plate 4.1, 16 Municipalities, 20 Town Panchayats and 314 villages
forming part of 10 Panchayat Unions in Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram
Districts. It extends over 1189 Sq. Km and has a population of 7.04 million as
per the 2001 census. The proposed land use map as per the master plan is
shown in Plate 4.2.
Chennai has a very heterogeneous mix of architectural styles
ranging from ancient temples to the British colonial era buildings and to the
latest modern buildings. Most of the buildings constructed during the colonial
era are of the Indo-Sarcenic style. Chennai is a major transportation hub for
road, rail, air and sea transport, connecting major cities inland and abroad.

BAY OF BENGAL

111

Plate 4.1 Chennai city with Administrative Boundaries

Plate 4.1 Chennai city with administrative boundaries

It is also one of the major educational centres in India, with a number
of colleges and research institutions. Chennai is thus emerging as an
important metropolis in the South Asian region. The outline of the history and
growth of Chennai City from the 16th century till date with a special reference
to the image element of the city is discussed further, to understand the
historical growth pattern of Chennai.

112

Plate 4.2 Proposed Land use Map of Chennai city

Plate 4.2 Proposed Land use map of Chennai city

4.2

HISTORY OF CHENNAI CITY

Muthiah (1999) refers to Chennai as a "city of firsts" in South

India, a place that played a pivotal role in the origins of the British Empire.
He points out that Madras was the first major British settlement in India, and
until 1774 was the capital of the entire British Empire in the east, which
stretched from India to Indonesia. The city's Corporation, founded in 1687,
was the first such governing body to be set up outside Europe. The erstwhile

113

Guindy Engineering College, now Anna University, was the first institution
outside Europe to teach engineering and British law, and its courts functioned
for the first time in India in Madras in the mid-1600s.
Like many other Indian cities, Madras was a British creation.
Villages such as Mylapore, Santhome and Poonamalee existed well before the
British arrived but the beginnings of the city of Madras can be traced back to
1639. Madras soon grew into a settlement of importance but in 1774 the
British shifted their capital to Calcutta, influenced by its proximity to the
north, its commercial importance represented by industries such as jute and
indigo, and its climate. Until Independence, Madras remained the capital of
the Madras Presidency, an area that encompassed the whole of south India as
well as parts of Maharashtra and Orissa. The British imposed their identity on
the city, but traditional structures coexisted with colonial creations. Madras
may not have had the flamboyance of Edwin Lutyens' Delhi or imperial
Bombay and Calcutta, but its quiet charm was unmistakable. Apart from
traditional architecture, the Indo-Sarcenic, Colonial, Classical, Gothic,
Romanesque and other styles can be seen in Madras. Many early examples of
the highly regarded Indo-Sarcenic style, which culminated in Lutyens'
magnificent planned portion of Delhi, can be found in Madras.
Since Independence, many of India's cities have been
transformed significantly as a result of economic and population pressures.
Over time, cities have changed from concentrated and identifiable towns to
sprawling urban areas. This growth has usually resulted in a poor quality of
life for the average citizen. The pressure on land in urban areas has drastically
increased its value and often a city's heritage buildings have been sacrificed
for more financially lucrative enterprises. On the pretext of urban
development, new constructions, which often have scant regard for local
conditions and contexts, have damaged the very quality of life they were
intended to improve.

114

There is an urgent need for a holistic approach to town planning

that recognises that the old and new can exist together. In 1900, the city was
described as a "very charming old lady, gowned in old silks and laces. A
study of the development trends helps us to ascertain where development had
occurred in the past, and also particularly in recent years, the reasons for the
same and how changes have occurred over a period of time with respect to
image. It would help in identifying the potential areas for future development
and also give us an idea of how the future image of Chennai city will be,
according to the future directions of growth, taking into account all the
relevant planning aspects incorporated in the second master plan of Chennai
city 2026.
4.2.1

Image Elements of Chennai City from its Evolution to the

Present
The analysis of different image elements in various periods is

outlined in Table 4.1. Chennai grew from Settlements focused on temples.

Each of these settlements were self-contained, had its own agricultural
production and household industries. Later important lines of communication
linked these settlements leading to community development and sprawl.
Growth was not regulated and infrastructure facilities were not developed
leading to traffic and congestion in the city. Restriction of commercial and
Industrial activities in certain zones of the city, encouragement of growth
along transport corridors and development of urban nodes happened along
with the dispersal of major activities from CBD area, the development of
satellite towns and large scale neighbourhoods accelerated the urban sprawl.
Due to the large scale economic activities residential neighbourhoods
developed in and around the suburban areas along the transport network.
Plenty of communication links between the settlements in the form of bridges
and roads developed, and people started moving in different directions
according to their economic activities (weaving, pot making, trade etc.) and
the need for space. This led to community development and sprawl.

Table 4.1

An outline of the time and function of the city with the important features of the elements of growth
changing the city imageability
Time period and Function of the city and Important Features

Second century AD -16th century AD

i.
Settlements existed in the area of Mylapore, Triplicane
and Santhome.
ii.
The geographer Ptolemy had recorded it in the second century
AD that the port of Mylapore was known to the Greeks and
the Romans. The Port had a flourishing trade with the Roman
Empire and received considerable quantities of gold in
exchange for products like pepper and fine cloth.
iii.
Both Mylapore and Triplicane were important Hindu
religious centres and inscriptions dating back to the eighth
century have been found in the Triplicane Temple.
iv.
Mention has been made of the early settlement of Santhome
by Arab travelers and merchants of the 9th and 10th
centuries.
v.
Marcopolo visited this place in the late 13th Century
vi.
In Santhome, the Portuguese, having originally arrived in
1522, constructed a fort and settlement.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Separate Settlements
Temples for each settlement as an
identity
Forts

115

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
17th century
i.
Scattered settlements separated by long distances.
ii.
Each settlement grew around the nucleus of a temple and has its own history. The most important area
at that time was Mylapore.
iii.
There were small settlements in Purasawalkam, Thiruvatteeswaranpetta, Egmore, Nungambakkam, and
Saidapet. Among the suburbs, Tiruvottiyur, Velachery, Tiruneermalai, Mangadu, Padi, Poonamallee,
Kunnathur, Ayanavarum, Vyasarpadi, Villivakkam, Ambattur, Koyambedu etc. already existed.
iv.
Each of these villages was self-contained and had its own agricultural production and household
industries. The changing rulers in the region never interfered with them; with the result that life in the
villages continued to exist without much change.
v.
Important lines of communication linked these settlements. Egmore, Purasawalkam and Aminjikarai lie
along Poonamallee High Road. Triplicane and Mylapore lie along a road leading to Tiruvanmiyur. These
roads were just earthen cart tracks.
vi.
Within a few years of the founding of the British settlement and the construction of a Fort at the site, the
New Town, which had grown up around it, came to be known as Chennapatnam in honour of the father of
the local chieftain. This name was later applied to the whole city.
vii.
The population, which was 19,000 in 1646, expanded to 40,000 in 1669.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Each of these villages was selfcontained and mostly planned around a
temple as an identity
Had its own agricultural production
and household industries
Important lines of communication
linked these settlements- PH Road,
Santhome high Road, LB Road

116

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
18th century
i.
A bridge was constructed in 1710 across the cut between the two rivers, the Cooum and Elambore . The
Principal road to Egmore from that time up to 1931 had been the road in front of the present Central Jail.
In this era there was a lot of building activity (a redoubt at Egmore, a bridge and churches at the Fort and
many private buildings in and around the Fort).
ii.
Due to congestion inside the Fort, the British constructed some garden houses in what is known as
Peddanaickenpet.
iii.
In 1733 there was a lot of congestion in George Town and the weaving Community started settling in
Chintadripet area and Collepetta near Tiruvottiyur since abundant open space was available there for
weaving.
iv.
The washer men who were in the Mint area then moved towards the west.
v.
The Potters from this area moved outside the Fort on the north side and formed a new colony (Kosapet).
vi.
Because of the construction of a bridge in 1710 to connect Egmore, people moved towards the present
Moore Market area and settled.
vii.
During this time, the British found that Triplicane was a good area for settlement and a large number of
people moved there.
viii.
The presence of the Nawab of Arcot increased the economic prosperity of the area and more and more
Muslims settled in Triplicane. So from that time onwards, it grew in importance, second only, to George
Town.
ix.
St. Thomas Mount gained religious importance and Mount Road became prominent with the
construction of the Marmalong Bridge in 1724.
x.
Because the British started living along Cooum River, roads were laid to give access to them and thus
Marshalls Road, Halls Road, Montieth Road and Casa Major Road all became thoroughfares even in 1798.
xi.
Mowbrays Road and Royapettah High Road were formed to give access to these people.
xii.
The land west of George Town was a low-lying swampy area and remained vacant without development.
xiii.
The surroundings of the Fort area covering nearly 69 kms and containing within it 16 hamlets were
constituted as the City of Madras in 1798.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Lot of communication links between
the settlements in the form of bridges
and roads developed.
People started moving in different
directions
according
to
their
professional activities (weaving, pot
making, and trade) and need of space.
This also leads to community
development.
There started a sprawl.
City of Madras constituted in 1798.

117

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
19th century
i.
After the founding of the Corporation, conservancy and improvement of the City were begun.
ii.
The City was divided into 8 Divisions and the Government selected 4 Commissioners from residents.
iii.
The broad-gauge line from Royapuram to Arcot was laid in 1864.
iv.
Central station was formed in 1872 and linked to the main line.
v.
By 1861 the British authorities realised the necessity of a harbour.
vi.
A pier was constructed in 1862 and further development took place from 1868 onwards and this leads
people to settle down at Royapuram.
vii.
This gave rise to the establishment of some timber saw mills and depots in Royapuram after a few years.
viii.
Further the railway line passed through the present Perambur area, which had so far been lying as swampy
waste because of its low level.
ix.
The introduction of the railway line gave development potential to the hitherto uninhabited places.
x.
From 1850 onwards, the necessity of providing recreational facilities was perceived. Many parks such
as the Peoples Park, Napier Park and Richardson Park were created in this period. A Museum and
a Zoo were also established.
xi.
Before 1800, the roads were in a radial pattern, but after 1810 ring roads were developed inside the City.
xii.
Mount Road was important and access to it was given from Triplicane High Road, Chamiers Road,
Edwards Elliot's Road and Royapettah High Road.
xiii.
To the North of Mount Road, Pantheon Road, Halls Road, Marshalls Road, Spurtank Road and
Nungambakkam High Road were formed to serve the new residential areas.
xiv.
Later Brick kiln Road and Perambur Barracks Road connected Poonamallee High Road with Konnur
Road, which was extended towards the Railway.
xv.
To facilitate trade the harbour was completed in 1896 just to the east of George Town.
xvi.
The principal roads leading out of the area in three principal directions connected the northern,
western and southern parts of the presidency and they still remain as the main transportation
framework for the City.
xvii.
Railways were also built radiating from the centre in these three principal directions. The building of the
harbour was responsible for sand accretion to the south of it and the sea which was washing the ramparts
of the Fort at one time was then 2.5 km. away with a wide beach between the land and the sea. A number
of public buildings were constructed fronting this beach early in the 19th century, which still adds
dignity to the City.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
founding of the Corporation and city
divided into 8 divisions
Introduction of railways and harbor
Development in Royapuram with
timber mills
Development around the railway lines
Introduction of recreational areas, open
spaces and parks
Pattern
of
radial
roads
and
establishment of ring roads
Important roads were developed.
Three major principal roads- Radial
roads from CBD
Construction of important public
buildings along the beach still adds
dignity.

118

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
Early 20th Century (1900-1941)
i.
The city extended over an area of about 70 sq.kms and had a population of 5.40 lakhs in 1901.
ii.
The demographic growth rates during the previous two decades were 5 per cent and 6 per cent.
iii.
Important buildings and structures which are the land marks of the city such as the Fort, the
Marina-the road parallel to the sea-and the fronting public buildings, the High Court, the Moore
Market, the Connemara Public Library and other public buildings around it already existed.
iv.
George Town was the main business centre but substantial parts of it were used for residential purposes also.
v.
The main residential areas however were Chintadripet, Triplicane, Egmore, Mylapore, Purasawalkam,
Vepery and Royapuram.
vi.
Most of the areas outside these settlements were covered by gardens and agricultural lands interspersed
with bungalows of the elite. (Nungambakkam, Chetpet and Kilpauk)
vii.
Saidapet in the southwest was a separate small settlement.
viii.
Both sides of Mount Road to a distance of 5 to 6 kms from Fort St. George were occupied by large
business houses, clubs and hotels; industries were few and were located in George Town or
Perambur area.
ix.
The West of Nungambakkam was covered by the Nungambakkam Tank and this long tank extending in
the form of a crescent for nearly 6 kms covered the west of Nungambakkam.
x.
The three railway lines served the city from the north, west and southwest.
xi.
Introduction of metre-gauge railway between Beach and Tambaram in 1931
xii.
Nungambakkam as a planned residential neighbourhood
xiii.
By 1941 Madras had developed into a provincial metropolis enjoying the best of both worlds -urban
amenity and rural atmosphere.
xiv.
The city was mainly a commercial, military and administrative centre for the entire South India.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Lot of important landmark buildings
Mail business center-George town
(CBD)
Development of a lot of Residential
areas
Bungalows, gardens and agriculture land
at outskirts
Development along Mount road as
business houses, clubs, hotels
Industries at George Town and Perambur
area
The Pattern of the city was that we had
the CBD, Residential Zones, Business
areas along the transport corridor
(Mount Road).
Developed into a provincial metropolis
enjoying the best of both worlds -urban
amenity and rural atmosphere

119

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
20th Century (1941-1971)
i.
The population of the City increased to 8.6 lakhs by 1941.
ii.
The city occupied an area of about 80 sq.km.
iii.
The city had a good water supply system and most of the areas were sewered.
iv.
It had quick and cheap modes of transport by trams and electric trains.
v.
The main roads were wide enough for the road traffic and passed through shady avenues.
vi.
The thirty years between 1941 and 1971 saw tremendous growth in population and economic activity in
and around the City.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
xi.
xii.
xiii.
xiv.
xv.
xvi.

The population first passed the million mark around 1943 and then doubled itself in a short span of about
twenty years to cross, the two million mark.
In 1950 the boundary of the City was extended to cover 129sq.kms by the inclusion of Saidapet and
Sembium.
This period also saw the growth of new residential as well as industrial suburbs particularly on the west
and south.
The five-year plans and the impetus given by the industrial activity in the public sector brought about the
transformation of the City from that of a purely administrative and commercial centre into a metropolis of
national importance.
The major developments in the industrial field during the post independence era have been, the location of
a number of public sector undertakings. and private sector undertakings.
Concurrently this period saw the deterioration in water supply and drainage services and
mushrooming of many slum areas all over the city.
The setting up of the Tamil Nadu State Housing Board however, helped in the creation of large residential
areas like Anna Nagar on the west and Sastri Nagar on the south.
The City's boundary no longer remained well defined - the developments extended into the adjoining
areas, particularly, in the north up to Ennore, west up to Avadi and south up to Vandalur.
This growth did not take place in a regulated manner nor did it correspond to the available infrastructure
facilities.
This fact coupled with the rapid growth of population on the one hand and the increase in number of motor
vehicles on the other has given rise to the many problems faced by the Metropolis today.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Increase in population and Area of the city.
Shady Trees and wide roads
Developments in industrial activities and
economic rise
Deterioration of water supply and
drainage and mushrooming of slums
Citys boundaries are no longer defined
Developments in all three directions
Growth is not regulated and is not
according to the infrastructure facilities.
Increase in traffic and leads to lot of
congestion.

120

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
1971-1991
i. The City is at the core of the metropolitan area and is the centre for all commercial and social activities as well
as a living area for majority of the total population.
ii. Its structure approximated to a semi-circle with extensions in five main directions, the North, Northwest, West,
Southwest and South. This is due to the fact that early in the development of the city, George Town and
Harbour became the commercial centre of the City.
iii. Naturally all communication lines led to this centre and these in turn were linked with each other producing a
radial and ring pattern of development.
iv. When the City grew, lands on the main arteries were much nearer in terms of time needed to reach the
centre than areas, which were away from them, and further expansion took place on these arteries.
v. The economics of transportation has led to formation of development corridors the most important of which are
on the west and southwest where, physical conditions were more favourable for development.
vi. The fringe areas in the north, west and Southwest had been the location of large industrial establishments.
vii. The Madras Refinery, the Madras Fertilisers, Ennore Thermal Plant, the Ashok Leyland Truck Factory and
many accessory industries are located in the north at Manali and Ennore.
viii. The T.V.S. Group of companies, Dunlop Rubber Company, T.I. cycles and the larger industrial estates are
located on the west at Ambattur with the Heavy Vehicles Factory located further west at Avadi.
ix. Almost all cinema studios and a number of medium industries including the first industrial estate of the State the Guindy Industrial Estate - are located in the southwest between Arcot Road and Annasalai.
x. A large industrial estate at Ambattur was located in the West along MTH Road was located in the south at
Vandalur along GST Road.
xi. The main residential areas outside the City are along the Southwest closely following the electrified suburban
line and Alandur, Tambaram, Pallavaram are such residential areas.
xii. Most of these areas however lack in commercial and public facilities for which they depend on the main
City.
xiii. Triplicane, Mylapore, Purasawalkam and also the northern part of George Town and Royapuram are
the old residential areas characterised by street housing (i.e. houses constructed in a row without side
open spaces) with shopping along main streets.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Radial and Ring pattern of Development
as CBD as the centre.
CBD was George town and Harbour
City Growth along the arteries to reach the
CBD fast.
Developments on west and southwest due
to favouarable conditions.
Industries at the fringes
Developments
of
residential
neighbourhoods along the suburban
railway line.
But most areas lack commercial and public
facilities and for which the people depend
on CBD.
Zoning of different land uses leads to the
sprawl and Lack of mixed land use also
added to the chaos.
Old residential areas characterized by
street housing (i.e. houses constructed in a
row without side open spaces) with
shopping along main streets
New residential areas were with bungalow
types
The intervening areas developed into
multistoreyed
buildings-apartments,
offices, hotels etc and were close to CBD
Rural fringes were with agriculture and
casuraina plantations

121

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
xiv.New residential areas of Mylapore and Theagarayanagar had developed with bungalow type houses but
densities here were higher than the exclusive older residential areas of Egmore, Nungambakkam and Chetpet,
which lie between these areas and the central business district. This intervening area was developed for
multi-storeyed apartments, offices and hotels in view of their relative proximity to the central business
district.
xv.The rural areas fringing the city were generally fertile then, particularly on the north and west where paddy was
raised as an irrigated crop.
xvi.Casuarina wood for fuel was raised all along the sandy coast in the southern part of the metropolitan area.
xvii.George Town and its extension southwards into Anna Salai together constitute the central business district
of the City where most of the wholesale trade, specialised retail trade and banking and financial
institutions were located and where commercial activity was intense.
xviii.More than 2 lakh work places, constituting 48 per cent of the total work places in the Madras Metropolitan
Area in 1971 were located here.
xix.Shopping facilities of local significance had developed along almost all major roads.
xx.The industrial areas within the City were mainly in the northern and western parts, where they were closely
mixed up with residential developments but new industrial establishments as mentioned were located
outside the City limits and many important industries were on the outskirts.
xxi.The main industrial areas are in Ennore and Manali on the north, Ambattur and Avadi on the west, along
Anna Salai and its extension on the southwest. Nearly 40 percent of the industrial work places were
located on the north and northwestern part of the Chennai Metropolitan Area and over 10 per cent along
Anna Salai and its extensions.
xxii.Public and semi public uses were dispersed but those, which were established earlier, were concentrated in the
older parts of the City such as Egmore and on the Marina. New public offices were located in
Nungambakkam and on Anna Salai. Public uses, except for higher educational institutions were few in the
suburbs.
xxiii.The radial type of development has created green wedges, the edges of which in some cases penetrate into the
City boundary itself.
xxiv.The main communication routes were lined with industrial establishments and shopping but the
development is diffused and could not be termed "urban" except in uses.
The real rural area was not far from these corridors and urbanisation had scarcely touched those areas

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
CBD extending towards Mount road with
48% of the economic activities along this
and other commercial activities developed
along all major roads.
Main Industries were outside the city area
on the fringes and 10% of it was there on
Mount road and its extension.
Earlier Public and semipublic spaces were
at Egmore and Marina.
New
public
offices
were
at
Nungambakkom and Anna Salai and
major educational institutions were on
suburbs

122

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
1991-till date
The main elements of the first master plan strategy were:
i.Restriction of density and population growth in the city
ii.Restriction of industrial and commercial developments within CMA
iii.Encouragement of growth along the major transport corridors and development
a. of urban nodes at Manali, Minjur, Ambattur, Avadi, Alandur and Tambaram
iv.Dispersal of certain activities from CBD and Development of satellite towns, beyond CMA at Maraimalai
Nagar, Gumidipoondi and Thiruvallur.
v.TNHB has played a major role in development of large scale neighbourhood schemes; Anna Nagar (about
5 Sq.km.), Ashok Nagar and K.K. Nagar (about 7 Sq.km.), South Madras Neighbourhood scheme comprising
Indra Nagar, Sastri Nagar and Besant Nagar (about 4 Sq.km.), etc. had come up with plots/flats meeting the
requirements of all sections of the society from HIG to EWS. Under MUDP-I (1977-92), MUDP-II (198387) and TNUDP (1988-95) Neighbourhoods at Arumbakkam, Mogappair, Villivakkam, Velachery,
Kodungaiyur, Ambattur, Avadi, and Madhavaram etc. were developed within the City and its suburbs.
vi.These large-scale neighbourhood developments of TNHB with full infrastructure acted as catalyst for
private developments for residential use.
vii.A number of medium and small-scale industrial developments came up in the areas zoned for industrial
developments at Madhavaram, Vyasarpadi, Kodungaiyur, Ambattur, Noombal and adjoining areas Pammal
and Perungudi.
viii.Industrial estates at Villivakkam, Thirumazhisai and Industrial estate for women enterpreneurs were developed
at Morai near Avadi.
ix.Considering the demand, infrastructure availability, potential for industrial developments, the lands along
the Poonamallee bye-pass road near Poonamallee Town in the west and Old Mamallapuram Road (from
City limit to Sholinganallur) in the south were comprehensively reclassified for industrial use where a
number of medium scale and small scale industries had come up.
x.Though Vallalar Nagar (George Town) and Anna Salai area have continued as CBD, Mylapore, Thyagaraya
Nagar, Nungambakkam, and Purasawalkam have developed as Regional Commercial Centres and Adyar,
Anna Nagar and Perambur have developed as Regional Commercial Sub-Centres.
xi.Relocation of wholesale activities in Vegetable, Fruit and Flower from CBD to Koyambedu and City bus
stand from CBD to Koyambedu have been carried out; Iron and Steel Market at Sathangadu was
developed. Truck terminal at Madhavaram was made operational.
xii.Major higher educational institutions are located in the central part and southern part of the City and
they continued to expand within their premises.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Restriction of commercial and Industrial
activities
Encouragement of growth
along
transport corridors and Development of
urban nodes
Dispersal of major activities from CBD
area
Development of satellite towns
Large scale neighbourhood developments
by TNHB to different sections within the
city and its suburbs
Private residential developments around
these neighbourhoods
Lot of Industrial developments in
industrial zones and along the transport
corridor at outskirts of the city.
Along Adayar, Anna Nagar, Perambur)
Shifting of major activities to
Koyambedu.
Major educational institutions in the
central and southern part
Lot of private colleges and medical
institutes came up
No agriculture activity
Lot of IT/ITES activities along Rajiv
Gandhi Salai
Spill over of this activity along the other
corridors (Pallavaram Thoraipakkam
Road and Velachery and Thambaram Road)

123

Table 4.1 (Continued)

Time period and Function of the city and Important Features
i.
ii.

iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.

In the last three decades, the agricultural activity within this Metropolis had become absent/ minimal for
various reasons including non-availability of water for irrigation purposes, labour cost, and cost of
agricultural inputs.
Chennai has become one of the preferred destinations for IT / ITES companies that are located along
the Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR), the area popularly known as IT Corridor because of locational advantages
for the industry such as uninterrupted quality power supply, better transport facilities, accessibility to airport,
availability of potable water supply, pollution free environment etc.
These developments are spilling over in the areas in the west along the 200ft. wide Pallavaram Thoraipakkam Road, and also along Velachery Tambaram Road.
In the large I.T Park at Siruseri, a number of I.T.Parks are being located , and a major bio-tech park has also
come up.
These employment-generating developments resulted in fast development of the areas in the west of the
corridor such as Medavakkam, Jalidampet, Perumbakkam, Vengai vasal, Gowrivakkam,
Rajakilpakkam etc. as residential areas.
Chennai is emerging as a major export hub in South East Asia.
International car manufacturers such as Ford, Hyundai, and General Motor etc. have established
around Chennai their manufacturing bases to cater to domestic and international markets.
New testing and homologation centre for automobile sector with an investment over Rs. 1000 cr. is
being established in this region.
Saint Gobain glass factory, Nokia cell phone manufacturing industry at Sriperumbudur, and
Mahindra Industrial Park developed over 1700 acres, near Maraimalai Nagar new town are some of the
major developments around Chennai.
All these developments made considerable impact on the structure of this Metropolis.

Elements of Growth changing the City

Image
Large economic activities accelerated the
development of a lot of residential
neighbourhoods in and around
Lot of big automobile manufacturing
companies came in and around Chennai
These major developments had a
considerable impact on the development
of Chennai

124

125

4.2.2

Conclusion
The City of Madras was constituted in 1798 with the founding

of the Corporation; it was divided into 8 divisions. The introduction of

suburban railways, development in Royapuram with timber mills and the
development of recreational areas, open spaces and parks accelerated the
growth of the City. The establishment of radial and ring roads [with three
major principal roads- Radial roads from Central Business District (CBD)]
and the construction of important public buildings along the beach added
dignity, ever as business areas developed along Mount road. The city enjoyed
the best of both worlds -urban amenity and rural atmosphere, i.e. wide roads
with shady trees. Developments in industrial activities and economic rise,
deterioration of water supply and drainage, and the mushrooming of slums
with no defined boundaries led to development in all three directions.
Growth was neither regulated, nor according to the infrastructure
facilities; hence, it increased the traffic and led to a lot of congestion in the
city. The restriction of commercial and industrial activities in the city,
encouragement of growth along transport corridors and the development of
urban nodes happened. The dispersal of major activities from the CBD area
with the development of satellite towns and large scale neighbourhood
developments by Tamilnadu Housing Board (TNHB) in different sections
within the city and its suburbs, helped the private residential developers to
invest near these areas. A lot of industrial developments in the industrial
zones along the transport corridor in the outskirts of the city accelerated its
growth. Plenty of Information Technology (IT) /Information Technology
Enabled Services (ITES) activities along Rajiv Gandhi Salai generated
activities along the other corridors, viz, Pallavaram, Thoraipakkam, Velachery
and Tambaram Road. Large economic activities accelerated the development

126

of a lot of residential neighbourhoods in and around. The development of big

automobile manufacturing companies in and around Chennai also had a
considerable impact on the development of Chennai. The growth pattern of
Chennai was always accelerated along the transport networks.
4.3

DIFFERENT

MAJOR

PLANS

FOR

CHENNAI

IN

DIFFERENT PERIODS AND THEIR POLICIES ON THE

IMAGE OF THE CITY
The process of modern city planning seeks to steer market forces in
city building towards citizens welfare and public good. Zoning and building
by-laws are still among the primary tools of such planning. In addition, master
plans seek to lay out a physical pattern of land use and transportation routes
for the city or the metropolitan area as a whole. Thus, master plans serve as a
guide for public agencies to tailor their sectoral programming to the plans,
while facilitating private investments in the same manner (Second Master
Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area 2008). The draft master plan for CMA
consented to by the Government was notified in the Gazette on 5.08.75,
and from that date developments have been regulated with reference to the
Master Plan / Development Control Rules.
Though the Madras Town Planning Act was enacted in 1920
itself, and a few Detailed Town Planning schemes were sanctioned for
small areas within Chennai City, no comprehensive plan for the city or the
metropolitan region was prepared (Chennai Master Plan 2008, Vol1,
Introduction). The Madras Town Planning Act was superseded in 1971 by
the Tamilnadu Town and Country Planning Act. According to section 17,
sub-section (2) of the Act, the Development Plan may propose or provide
for all or any of the matters as per the list, and one important aspect in that
was, the control of architectural features, elevation and frontage of

127

buildings and structures- which has not been addressed effectively in the
framework of development regulations in the second master plan, 2008.
Vision 2026 is to make Chennai a prime metropolis, which will be
more livable, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable, and with
better assets for the future generations (Second Master Plan for Chennai
Metropolitan Area 2008). How this is going to be achieved is not reflected in
the planning policies.
The flat topography, the hot humid climate and the wind directions
have not been reflected in the policy criteria for shaping the built
environment. An outline framework of the different major plans on Chennai
in different periods and their policies on the image of the city is outlined in
Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 Name of the different major plans of Chennai- year/planning organization with the aim and impact of policy on city image
Name of the different Major plans of Chennai- Year and
Impact of Policy on City Image
Planning Organization and Aim
General Town Planning Scheme-1957
No specific policy on image
Madras corporation
Indirect influence on the Overall Form
The aim of the General Town Planning scheme was to provide for the organised growth of the then
Madras City (129 Sq.km.).The DTP recommended more detailed and extensive studies in depth to be
carried out before the scheme could be finalised. Then it was decided to prepare a comprehensive
development plan (which has never been done till now) for the Madras Metropolitan Area and as a first
step to prepare Madras Interim Plan (1967).
The Madras Interim Plan -1967
No specific policy on image
Directorate of Town planning, Govt. of Tamilnadu
Indirect influence on the Overall Form
The problems of the City were viewed and appraised in the context of the urban area being the first
of its kind; the plan devoted itself purely to physical aspects of development and recommended that
the fiscal plan should be separately worked out. It was also envisaged that the Master Plan would be in
completed in two stages viz. the preparation of an Interim General Plan in the first instance and a
Comprehensive Development Plan in the second.
No specific policy on image
Madras Metropolitan Plan 1971-91 - 1971
Indirect influence on the Overall Form
Multi- agency group and published by RD and LA Dept., Govt. of Tamilnadu (published in 1973)
(1) Strategy for physical growth of urban areas
(2) Programmes for land acquisition for urban expansion, provision of infrastructure for transport, water
supply, sewerage and drainage, slum clearance, provision of facilities for education, health,
recreation and refuse collection
(3) Action to bring revenue base in the area in line with the levels of expenditure and
(4) Recommendation on institutional set up required in implementing the Plan.

128

Table 4.2 (Continued)

Name of the different Major plans of Chennai- Year and
Impact of Policy on City Image
Planning Organization and Aim
No specific policy on image
Madras Urban Development Project - 1974
Identification of projects and Finance
MMDA(now CMDA)
The Madras Urban Development Project report represented a further shift towards concentrating on the for five years
positive aspects of managing the development of the MMA and it was concerned primarily with
presenting a package of realistic projects that could be implemented within a period of 5 years. This is the
basis for appraisal of projects under the World Bank assisted Madras Urban Development Project-I (197782) executed at a cost of Rs.56 Crores, MUDP-II (1983-88) executed at a cost of Rs.73.9 Crores and
TNUDP-I Chennai Metropolitan Area component executed at a cost of about Rs.450 Crores.

Master Plan for MMA -1975

MMDA(now CMDA)
The first Master Plan for CMA laid down policies and programmes for the overall development of CMA
taking a long-term view of the requirements. As stated in its preamble, in particular, it dealt with the
following aspects:
1.
Trends of Pop Growth
2.
Economic activities
3.
Present physical structure and Policies
4.
Traffic and Transportation policies
5.
Land use policies
6.
Infrastructure planning policies
7.
Policies on sectoral development
8.
Regulation of the use-zones, the location, height, size of buildings, size of yards, and other open
spaces to be left in and around the buildings, and also regulation of land sub-division, architectural
and advertisement control and preservation of trees, historical and scenic areas and
9.
Areas proposed for land acquisition
A metropolitan city was thought to provide for ( First Master Plan, p 22)

Land Use and

DR- Overall Form
(Satellite towns linked to radial
corridors) and Built form ( p-20)
DR was formulated on the built
environment on the following
aspects
1. Height of the building,
2. size of buildings,
3.
( FSI)
4. size of yards, and
5. other open spaces to be left in
and around the buildings, and
also
6. regulation of land sub-division,
7. architectural and
8. advertisement control and

129

Table 4.2 (Continued)

Name of the different Major plans of Chennai- Year and
Planning Organization and Aim
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Choice
Personal interaction and participation
Comfort
Efficiency and Environment
Growth and adaptability
Imageability
Economy in cost
For Imageability examining the planning strategies of Copenhagen, London, Paris, Washington
DC, Kolkata and Delhi as examples, three alternative forms were thought of for Chennai city. They
were
i.
Ring of Cities,
ii.
Development along major radial routes along with independent communities detached from
the main body,
iii.
Development only along the radial corridors with no additional towns, communities around
the mother city.
The final proposed form of the master Plan has the advantages of all the three alternative
forms: Development of three satellite towns, one each on the three main radial corridors via
Gummidipoondi, on the north corridor, Thiruvallur, on the west corridor and Maraimalai Nagar
on the south west corridor were planned, each with a population of 1 lakh

Impact of Policy on City Image

9. preservation of trees,
10. historical and
11. scenic areas
By regulating
the spacing of buildings,
floor area ratio,
set-backs,
Parking etc. the Plan aimed to
ensure adequate light, air, fire
protection etc. and to prevent overcrowding in buildings and land.
It was observed that the land use plan
was in essence a translation into
physical form of
planning policies
and principles.

Structure Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area - 1980

No specific policy on image
MMDA with Alan Turner and Associates as consultants
Earlier planning in Chennai Metropolitan Area was reviewed and recommendations were made on the
overall planning aspects in different sectors.

130

Table 4.2 (Continued)

Name of the different Major plans of Chennai- Year and
Planning Organization and Aim
Draft Master Plan 2011- July 1995
MMDA
Three factors identified for non achievement of the desired spatial pattern were ( DMF for MMA
2011, p 138),
1.
Land use planning, zoning and DR Land use planning being end-state oriented, proved too
rigid and therefore incapable of adapting to evolving needs over time. Zoning of areas into
large number of exclusive zones failed to take account of the social and cultural basis of
our activity mix.
2.
The physical plans are not supported by matching investments
3.
There were no attempts made to institute a mechanism for investment.
The concept of urbanisable zone is introduced with the intention of opening up large areas
of development. It is a general and flexible zoning in which all urban uses except hazardous
industries are permitted. ( p 140)
Second Master Plan-2026- Sep 2008 CMDA
In order to regulate developments, the areas within the CMA have been designated as one of the 10 use
zones listed in the Development Regulations (except for areas of specific use, such as Water Body,
Forests, Roads, Railways etc.).
1. Primary residential
2. Mixed Residential
3. Commercial
4. Institutional
5. Industrial
6. Special and Hazardous industrial
7. Open space and Recreational zone
8. Agriculture
9. Urbanisable
10. Non urbnaisable

Impact of Policy on City Image

Lot of regularization schemes was
introduced and this had a negative
impact on the built form and the
image of the city.

DR was formulated on the built

environment on the following
aspects
FSB-Front Set back
RSB-Rear Set Back
SSB-Side Set Back
Max BC-Maximum Building
Coverage
Max B ht- Maximum Building Height
FSI-Floor Space Index
PAR- Parking
PE- Minimum Plot Extent
PW- Minimum Plot Width
NF- No of Floors

131

Table 4.2 (Continued)

Name of the different Major plans of Chennai- Year and
Planning Organization and Aim
Further, in the CMA, areas for buildings of special character, such as multi storeyed building areas,
continuous building areas, and economically weaker section areas are also designated in the plan.
Ecologically sensitive areas zoned include CRZ areas, Aquifer recharge areas, and Red Hills catchment
areas. MRTS influence areas; IT Corridor and areas around Airports are shown as areas of special
character. Development prohibited areas namely Pallikkaranai swamp area, (this has been amended
already G.O) area around Indian Air Force station are clearly demarcated and shown in the Plan.
Planning parameters are framed on the extent of the site, plot coverage, FSI; set back etc. for the
developments shall be regulated.
In the light of the foregoing strategies and actions the Development Control Rules have now been reviewed and
recast to conform to the zoning and urban structure proposed for the CMA. The major revisions are:
i) Permitting multi-storeyed buildings in the rest of the CMA also (excluding the Island Grounds,
approved layout areas, Aquifer recharge area and Redhills catchment area)
ii) Redefining special buildings as the ones exceeding 6 dwelling units
iii) Permitting IT buildings and bio-informatic centers in Mixed Residential, Commercial, Institutional
use zones
iv) Proposing higher FSI of 2.00 for special buildings and group developments with dwelling units not
exceeding 75sq.m. in floor area each in the MRTS influence area between Luz and Velachery
v) Defining the IT corridor along the Rajiv Gandhi Salai (Old Mamallapuram Road)
vi) Accommodating working womens hostels and old age homes in Primary Residential areas
vii) Proposing transfer of development rights in cases of road widening, conservation of heritage
buildings, slum redevelopments etc.
viii) Providing for restricted developments in Aquifer Recharge area
ix) Providing for conservation of heritage buildings
x) Rationalising the planning parameters for special buildings with reference to plot extent, number of
dwellings, and number of floors
xi) Revising the parking standards totally based on the recommendations made in recent consultancy
study on parking requirements

Impact of Policy on City Image

SR- Special Regulations
RW- Rain water harvesting
In The spatial strategy and Land use
planning Chapter it is mentioned that
this metropolitan growth scenario based
on the vision is proposed to be effected
through the strategies
a) Encouraging growth outside the
CMA on the main corridors.
b) Strengthening the potential for
growth in the three satellite towns
of Gummidipoondi, Thiruvallur
and Maraimalai Nagar and creation
of new ones near Tiruporur in the
south and near Sriperumbudur in
the west.
c) Creating urban foci in the
amorphous developments in the
City as well as in the outlying
municipal towns incorporating
commercial and environmental
hubs, heritage precincts and
buildings to develop interesting
city images. (How, is not
mentioned) ( SMP, Vo2 p117)
d) Providing
opportunities
for
development
of
composite

132

Table 4.2 (Continued)

Name of the different Major plans of Chennai- Year and
Planning Organization and Aim
xii) Reducing plot extent or side setback requirements
xiii) Enlarging the areas of incidental structures that are exempted from FSI calculations
xiv) Including provisions for persons with disabilities
xv)
Allowing Multi-storey Buildings (MSBs) along 12 m and 15 m wide roads with limitations on the FSI
and
height
xvi)
Reservation of 10% of land for EWS/LIG with dwelling sizes not exceeding 45 sq.m. in the case
of special buildings, group developments, multi-storeyed buildings on lands of extent exceeding
1 hectare, either within the site proposed for development, or in a location within a radius of
2 kms from the site under reference.
xvii) Allowing additional FSI 0.25 in cases of special buildings and group developments with dwelling
units, each not exceeding 45 sq.km. in floor area.
Listing of Heritage buildings and their notification after consultation with the owners, conditions
to be imposed, contents of the agreement to be executed with the heritage building owners, who
get TDR and detailed guidelines for allowing premium FSI etc, will be decided separately.

Impact of Policy on City Image

neighbourhoods on the outer ring

road.
e) Demarcating areas of significant
ecological and water resource
values for preservation and
conservation.
f) Instituting
specific
Area
Development
Projects
for
upgrading quality of life in City
sectors and neighbourhoods.
g) Restructuring
the
zoning
strategy to promote development.
The purpose of creating an urbanisable
zone is to eliminate the unnecessary
freezing of land uses, which would
normally happen if a particular use
which may not find favour in locating in
that area is specified in advance. This
urbanisable zone facilitates most
environmentally safe urban uses paving
the way for demand driven developments
to take place without affecting the
quality of life in the neighbourhood.
(Source: Second Master Plan of Chennai Metropolitan area-2026 (Volume I, IIand III) - Sept 2008, Draft Master Plan 2011, Structure Plan (June
1980) First Master Plan (1971-1991)

133

134

4.3.1

Conclusion
It is understood that the growth of Chennai city is regulated by

different planning schemes, policies, two master plans and development

regulations framed by the Madras Corporation, Directorate of Town and
Country Planning, and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
respectively, over the past 53 years. The planning of Chennai city with a
general town planning scheme was started in 1957, and had reached the
second master plan policies in 2008 formulated with land use zoning and
development regulations as the regulatory mechanism for the growth of the
city.
The spatial strategy and land use planning of the master plan
follows zoning and development regulations that pertain to the different
zones, with two dimensional plans. The imageability for the growth pattern of
future Chennai city was thought about in the first master plan of 1975 itself;
this was purely on two dimensional zoning and planning policies. In the
second master plan, the spatial strategy and land use planning policies are, on
encouraging growth along the corridors and creating urban foci in the
amorphous developments in the city as well as in the outlying municipal
towns, incorporating commercial and environmental hubs, heritage precincts
and buildings to develop interesting city images. This research aims to
evaluate the effectiveness of the current development regulations in achieving
the policies on the built environment, with respect to the city images (as
mentioned in the second master plan 2026). This research also aims to evolve
suitable recommendations based on the research inferences.

135

4.4

THE RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY AND ANALYSIS

The primary survey for the research titled Evaluation of Form-

Based Codes and the Image of a city- The case of Chennai, Tamilnadu was
carried out over a period of three years. From the historical study of Chennai
as shown in Figure 4.1 and explained in detail in the beginning of this chapter,
it is understood, that from 2nd Century A.D to16th century, Chennai had
separate settlements and each settlement had a temple as an identity. Each of
these villages was self-contained and had its own agricultural production and
household industries. Later in the 17th century, important lines of
communication linked these settlements, which led to community
development and sprawl. The city of Madras which was constituted in 1798,
with the founding of the Corporation and the city, was divided into 8
divisions. The pattern of radial streets and the establishment of ring streets,
with three major streets- radial streets from the Central Business District, and
the construction of important public buildings along the beach added dignity,
with the business establishments along Anna Salai.

Figure 4.1 Growth pattern of Chennai from 1623-2010

136

With this background of understanding the importance of the major

streets of Chennai in the development of the overall form and connectivity
between the different settlements of the city, the research started with a
reconnaissance survey in identifying the image of the city along the major
streets of Chennai. As per the urban project formulation and implementation
guide lines (UDPFI Guide Lines1996), the streets of city are classified
according to the width of the right of way as Express Streets (61m), Arterial
Streets (40-60m), Sub-Arterial Streets (30-40m), Collector Streets (20-30m)
and Urban Local Streets (10-20m) as shown in Plate 4.3.

Plate 4.3 Major street networks in Chennai city

137

The primary data for the study was collected during the
reconnaissance field survey on either side of the major streets of Chennai city.
The survey has been done along one Express road, Rajiv Gandhi Salai;
among the four arterial streets in the city, the survey has been done on
three streets, Velachery road, Anna Salai and Grand Southern Trunk Road,
and among the twenty two sub-arterial streets in the city, seventeen subarterial streets have been surveyed, with respect to identify the building
use, building height and number of floors as the three imageability
parameters pertaining to the street, and data was collected through the
primary survey. This data along with the development regulations pertaining
to the street from the second master plan is analysed together, to get an
overall image of the streets.
The major streets of Chennai city and the streets with an identity
number where the reconnaissance survey has been carried out are shown in
Plate 4.4.
The analysis of the primary data collected on either side of the
street in the reconnaissance field survey along with the secondary data, is
done in terms of the following parameters as shown in Table 4.3. This uses
the input data, output parameter with the detailed analysis, and inference,
along with the maps. The detailed of the data analysed tabulated in the form
of excel sheets are enclosed as Appendix 3.

138

BAY OF BENGAL

Reconsurvey
streets

Plate 4.4 Major streets where the reconnaissance survey is carried out in Chennai City.

Plate 4.4 Major streets where the reconnaissance survey is carried out
in Chennai city

139

Table 4.3 Analysis of the reconnaissance survey data with inferences

City map showing the data input along the street surveyed and Inference
Input data analysis :
Number of buildings per kilometer length
of the street
Output Parameter:
Building grain and density in each street
segment
Analysis
Less number of buildings- Coarse Grain
and less denser
More number of buildings- Fine Grain and
denser
Inference:
70% of the streets have a good image
related to the average number of
buildings per km length of the street. The
Image is high for medium grain of 30 to
50 buildings per sq.km.
Input data analysis :
Number of building floors per street
segment
Output Parameter:
The sky line of each street segment
Analysis
Skyline is Low /Medium and High
Inference:
72% of the streets have a good image
related to the average number of floors
per km length of the street. The Image is
high for medium rise buildings, where the
number of floors varies from 3 to 5 floors.

Input data analysis :

Predominant building use in each street
segment
Output Parameter:
The Building Use Zoning
Analysis
The predominant use and character of the
street
Inference:
Only 30% of the streets have a good
image related to the building use of the
street. Imageability is high for mixed use
activity rather than single activity for the
building.

140

Table 4.3 Continued

City map showing the data input along the street surveyed and Inference
Input data analysis :
Building Height to Road width Ratio
Output Parameter:
The Sense of enclosure
Analysis
Outlines the type of street as ComforTable
/Barren /Pleasant
Inference:
76% of the streets have a good image
related to the enclosure ratio. The
Enclosure ratio between 0.5:1 to 1:1
normally provides a well proportioned
street frontage which indicates a good
sense of enclosure.
Input data analysis :
Building Height to Front Set Back ratio
Output Parameter:
The sky exposure plane
Analysis
Whether good light and air are provided at
street level
Inference:
35% of the streets have a good image
related to the sky exposure plane. The
street is provided with good light and air
only if the Building Height to Front Set
Back ratio is 1.5 to 2.5.

Input data analysis :

Guideline value of different segments of the
street
Output Parameter:
The market demand of different streets
Analysis
to understand which street has high demand in
the city
Inference:
33% of the streets have a high demand and
guide line value and all these streets are in
the Southern part of the city.

141

4.5

SUMMARY

From the reconnaissance survey, it is understood that the city has

different images for different streets. The weighted average analysis is done
by assigning ranks to the different rank values ranging from 1 to 5 (Low value
to High Value) to the six different imageability parameters, such as average
building height, enclosure ratio, average number of buildings per kilometer
length of the street, average number of floors, average building height to front
set back ratio and building use. The ranking values are done by comparing the
standard value. The analyses of the result show the ranking of the streets with
very good imageability and streets with low imageability.
This has further helped in identifying the streets for evaluating
Imageability and formulating Form-Based Codes to enhance the Imageability
and to include more Imageability parameters for the same. The streets
identified for the evaluation of imageability and formulation of the FBC are,
first, the major historical Arterial Street in Chennai, Anna Salai, the most
popular street along the famous Marina beach of Chennai, Kamarajar Salai,
and the four mada streets around the historical traditional Kapaleeswarar
Temple at Mylapore, one of the important traditional neighbourhoods of
Chennai city.