BEAUTIFYING CHANDIGARH

Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret developed Chandigarh as an example for urban planning and architecture. The creation of Leisure Valley and Sukhna Lake highlights the work and vision of the two architects.

Now, it is high time that the future strategy for beautifying 50 per cent open spaces in Chandigarh be discussed. The Administration should actively consider the proposal of creating two more leisure valleys in the city. The same point was also emphasised by the experts who gathered at the recently organised International Conference on ‘Emerging Trends in Landscape Architecture’ by Saakaar Foundation.

The existing Leisure Valley has proved a boon for the residents. But its use remains mainly restricted to the adjoining or nearby Sectors like 3, 10, 16, 23 and 36. Even Albert Mayer, an American planner, recommended two such green valleys in his master plan for Chandigarh.

The proposed valleys can be sub-divided into subject-specific gardens like Children’s Park, Science Park and Memorial Gardens.

The Children’s Park can have several interesting features like slides, tunnels, climbing poles, bridges, ladders, see-saw and swings.

The Science Park can be planned to exhibit India’s technological advancement which Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru dreamed of. Models of various rockets, planes and telescopes may be displayed along the meandering paths.

Green houses with indoor plants can also be constructed at suitable locations. In addition, some of the gardens can be designed as memorials for police personnel, victims of terrorists and freedom fighters.

In fact, experts like H S Johl have recommended that the new valleys should be landscaped on the pattern of the world-famous Butchart Gardens and Victoria BC in Canada. The new leisure valleys will be the greatest tribute to the builders of Chandigarh like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, P S Kairon, M S Randhawa, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry.

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