Delhi Master Plan 2047: Mitigating pandemic, disaster risks part of urban planning

Delhi's Master Plan 2047 will bring pandemic and disaster risks into future urban planning, proposing larger green and open spaces for social distancing, decentralised workspaces, more housing options for migrants, and dedicated evacuation and refuge spaces across localities.

The plan, notified on Thursday, also sets out steps to make the city more resilient to earthquakes, fires, urban floods and other risks through safer buildings, better emergency response systems and greater public awareness.

Under its pandemic preparedness measures, the plan proposes a planned mix of compatible land uses and vertical mixing within plots so that homes, workplaces and services are available close to one another. It also calls for decentralised workspaces, including co-working spaces, shared workspaces within slum rehabilitation projects and support for home-based work. Large green areas, open spaces and public plazas have been proposed in new developments and through planned regeneration to support social distancing during pandemics.

The plan also seeks to expand affordable rental and ownership housing, worker housing and hostels for women and men to widen accommodation options for migrants. Community spaces and multi-facility plots, especially in dense unplanned areas, may be repurposed during disasters. For emergencies such as fires and earthquakes, dedicated evacuation spaces and refuge spots will be designated in all localities, particularly densely populated areas. These evacuation spaces will be open-to-sky areas such as parks, multipurpose grounds and other open spaces. Resident welfare associations and local bodies may also identify internal spaces as refuge spots for unhealthy or unwell residents during outbreaks of contagious diseases. For emergency rescue and rapid disaster response through air ambulances, helipads may be provided on the terraces of high-rise buildings and large hospitals in line with the Unified Building Bye-Laws and other relevant rules.

The plan follows a three-pronged approach to reducing risks and vulnerabilities: mitigating the impact of disasters, preparing to respond through resilient infrastructure and systems, and promoting citizen awareness. Its main focus areas include earthquake resilience, lowering vulnerability to fires and urban floods, and responding to other disasters and risks. Delhi falls in seismic Zone IV, where earthquakes can cause heavy damage, and is located on the Mathura, Sohna and Delhi-Moradabad fault lines. The National Centre for Seismology's Seismic Hazard Micro-zonation report has identified high, medium and low-risk zones in the city. To reduce vulnerability and limit loss of life and property, the plan proposes structural safety audits by building owners and local bodies as per building bye-laws. These audits will be prioritised in high-risk zones, vulnerable localities, high-footfall public buildings, buildings housing response units such as fire, police and integrated control centres, and essential infrastructure. New buildings and structures must follow seismically compliant design guidelines, while measures such as base isolation and hydraulic dampeners may be used to strengthen critical transport, water and fuel infrastructure. Areas at risk of damage during natural disasters may be taken up for mandatory regeneration through retrofitting or reconstruction, and open evacuation spaces will be created in densely built areas through regeneration schemes.

On fire safety, the plan says buildings dealing with highly inflammable materials must obtain mandatory clearance from the Delhi Fire Service and adopt safety precautions, and such uses will not be allowed to mix with residential or public and semi-public functions. In urban villages and other densely populated areas beyond the reach of regular fire tenders, alternative measures such as hydrant networks, mobile fire hydrants and other firefighting equipment may be explored. Buildings identified as vulnerable to fire will be retrofitted with fire prevention and mitigation measures, while fire safety norms will apply across all categories of buildings. The plan also identifies EV batteries as potential fire hazards and says their storage, charging and disposal should be handled according to government guidelines. The Department of Power, local bodies and other agencies will work together to improve electrical safety in vulnerable areas, particularly the Walled City, urban villages and other dense areas, including by addressing exposed overhanging wires and cables on streets.

On urban flooding and waterlogging, the plan notes that both have been increasing in frequency and intensity in Delhi and proposes measures to increase green cover and promote water-sensitive urban design. It also calls for all natural and engineered drains to be kept free of obstructions and encroachments, along with regular desilting and safe disposal of silt. Local bodies may earmark parks and gardens in flood-prone areas to act as flood sinks, while large-scale storm-water capture projects will be taken up in the Yamuna floodplain with strict environmental compliance. Overall, the Master Plan-2047 aims to prepare Delhi for health emergencies and disasters through a mix of better land use, safer infrastructure, more housing options and stronger local response measures.