A Study of Delhi’s Master Plans: Focus on Green Priorities

This research paper investigates the progression of urban planning in Delhi, focusing on environmental concerns, climate change, and sustainability. Each Master Plan (1962, 2001, 2021, and 2041) provides insight into the changing urban objectives and the city’s aspirations to synchronise growth with sustainable practices. By conducting a comparative analysis of planned versus actual results, financial allocations, and institutional frameworks, the paper illuminates persistent challenges in execution, inadequate inter-agency collaboration, and deficiencies in policy implementation. By drawing lessons from global best practices, the study suggests a progressive, rules-based framework to direct future urban planning in Delhi, which additionally acts as a benchmark for urban planning in other Indian cities.