Design review in a post-colonial city: The Delhi Urban Art Commission

This study of the Delhi Urban Art Commission – a design review body in the post-colonial city of Delhi – explains its role and responsibilities, its effectiveness, and its impact on the built environment of Delhi. The study questions the effectiveness of the Commission. It asserts that the Commission is invaluable for Delhi as it is the only agency that has the knowledge and understanding of urban design, development, and the complexities of the post-colonial city as well as the statutory power to make a difference to Delhi’s built environment. An analysis of the Commission’s major recent decisions suggests three key reasons for its ineffectiveness: both public and private agencies regularly violate the Commission’s recommendations; it approves projects without sufficient scrutiny; and it fails to effectively use its suo motu studies. The study proposes measures to make it more accountable and transparent, and to free it from political interference to harness its full potential and restore its image and power as envisioned at its inception.