Delhi Nullahs

New Delhi, India

Architects: Morphogenesis

Typology

Masterplanning, Public

Location

New Delhi, India

Client

Morphogenesis Initiative

Size

350 km | 1750 Acres

Climate

Composite

Delhi Nullahs: A Sustainable Blueprint for the City

An Initiative by Morphogenesis

The Proposal: To use Delhi's neglected Nullah network to fundamentally transform the city. The nullah network is 350km long, contiguous and criss-crosses the national capital. Currently, the nullahs are just unhygienic drains that are seen as a problem by the citizens of Delhi - they smell, breed mosquitoes, pollute the Yamuna and so on. However, a relatively small investment can turn the nullahs into a valuable asset for the common citizen. The necessary changes are:

1) Alternative Transport Network: Create walking/cycling paths on these nullahs to provide commuters with last mile connectivity to public transport (buses and metro). This will significantly improve the effectiveness of the existing public transport. Furthermore, people will be able to walk/cycle for short distances (and it will be an enjoyable experience). Since the nullah network is 350km long - this would be a very important contribution to the lives of the common citizens.

2) Alternative Environmental Network: Use a system of organic reedbeds and aerators to clean the sewage entering the nullahs. This is a well established system and it is both environment-friendly and cheap. This will dramatically improve public health in the city as well as help replenish aquifers. This will also reduce the need to spend large sums on building sewage plants at the Yamuna.

3) Alternative Cultural Network: The new network could be used to trigger a number of new urban activities ranging from tourism to sports. For instance, some of the nullahs are 700 years old and were built to provide water to Delhi's old cities. Thus, many of the city's famous archaeological sites are situated on the nullah network. Most major cultural venues in the city can be interconnected through this network, including Commonwealth Games venues, historical monuments, museums, theatres, stadiums, etc. to create a new walking network to drive next generation tourism.

The initiative aims to reuse the neglected water drainage system of Delhi; the ‘nullahs’ to progressively bring about sustainable change within the city. These nullahs can be transformed to enhance the social, cultural and transport (pedestrian and cycling) networks of the city. This can be done by using the existing waste and underutilized land to recycle and re-create. Water and green being natural attractors; the condition would be set to weave an eco-sustainable system through this network. The nullahs restoration project, an initiative by Morphogenesis, presents the hidden opportunity that lies within Delhi by establishing a green and sustainable network as an alternative and democratic source of engagement within the city of Delhi.