Jayanagar | A Legacy of Thoughtful Planning in Bengaluru

Jayanagar, established in 1948, stands as one of Bengaluru's early planned neighbourhoods, embodying an infra-cultural vision that was ahead of its time. Crafted with a grid-like layout, wide roads, and generous green spaces, it showcased an urban design ethos that prioritized both functionality and aesthetics. This approach reflected a forward-thinking mentality that balanced urban growth with community well-being, setting a benchmark for city planning that remains relevant even today.?

One such locality, Jayanagar, was laid out in 1949 by the City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) - spread over 1500 acres, providing 6000 sites of various dimensions. According to the public release by the CITB, “care is taken to have wide roads, boulevards, extensive parks and playgrounds, with spaces earmarked for other civic amenities like hospitals, colleges, schools and temples”. Jayanagar quickly became an affluent neighbourhood in comparison to the then surrounding. For many years until the 1980s, Jayanagar had one of the lowest population densities at 22 persons per acre compared to more than 300 for the congested city areas. Among 36 localities that formed the city’s core, all three wards that make up Jayanagar (Jayanagar, Shakambarinagar, Pattabhiramanagar) were in the top 10 for vegetation area, vegetation density and number of trees per person

Evidence-Based Planning in the 1950s?

Jayanagar’s design was remarkably data-driven, leveraging the best information of its era—population statistics, traffic patterns, and community needs—to create a functional and liveable neighbourhood. This evidence-based approach ensured balanced zoning, efficient road networks, and well-placed public amenities, reflecting a planning ethos that prioritized real-world requirements. In contrast, contemporary urban development often overlooks data-driven decisions, resulting in fragmented growth and infrastructural inefficiencies. Jayanagar’s thoughtful planning serves as a reminder of the impact of informed urban design, emphasising that strategic foresight was achievable even in the 1950s.??

Prioritising People and Public Life?

Under the visionary guidance of engineer M. N. Krishna Rao, Jayanagar was designed as more than just a residential neighbourhood; it was crafted to foster a holistic living experience. Strategic zoning separated residential and commercial areas while ensuring seamless connectivity through arterial roads and pedestrian-friendly pathways (15 min city anyone?). The neighbourhood’s logical layout facilitated social interactions and community engagement. Public amenities, parks, and playgrounds were strategically integrated, nurturing a vibrant community culture. This commitment to green spaces reinforced Bengaluru’s identity as the “Garden City.”?

The Jayanagar BDA Complex, built in 1976, epitomized a forward-thinking approach to mixed-use urban spaces, integrating retail, civic amenities, and recreational areas. It became a bustling social hub, setting a precedent for modern-day commercial complexes. Ironically, the Jayanagar BDA Complex, once envisioned as a thriving community hub, now stands as a symbol of apathy. Its decline, overshadows its historical value and communal purpose. This deterioration underscores a harsh truth; a conflict of interest, shifting from community-centric planning to administrative neglect, illustrating the changing dynamics of urban governance and the consequences of blurred responsibilities.

Infra-culture: Unscripted Yet Intentional?

As Bengaluru grapples with rapid urbanization and infrastructural challenges, it raises a pertinent question: how is the city being planned today? What are the basic planning principles guiding modern development, and why have these shifted from the city's foundational ethos?

The concept of infra-culture, seamlessly integrated infrastructure supporting community life—was inherently woven into Jayanagar’s meticulous design, albeit without a formal label. It demonstrated that urban growth could harmonize with environmental and social needs. However, this unscripted yet intentional approach seems lost amidst contemporary urban sprawl and haphazard zoning. Today’s fragmented development lacks the cohesive vision that once guided Jayanagar’s planning.?

Learning from History: Moving Forward?

This reflection on Jayanagar is not to romanticize the past but to understand the thoughtful planning ethos that shaped it. By recognising these foundational principles, there lies an opportunity to learn in order to apply to contemporary challenges, ensuring urban growth that prioritises liveability and sustainability.?

To navigate the complexities of contemporary urbanization, Bengaluru must rekindle a renewed commitment to infra-culture, guided by a larger vision (an integrated vision plan), setting a cornerstone for a truly forward-looking, liveable city. Perhaps the answer lies in taking one neighbourhood at a time and crafting it as a model of balanced, sustainable urban development. By demonstrating effective infra-culture on a smaller scale, Bengaluru could create replicable templates that cater to modern needs while respecting the city’s original design philosophy. This localized yet scalable approach could provide a roadmap for cohesive urban growth, ensuring each community thrives within a well-planned, interconnected urban ecosystem.

-By Nidhi Bhatnagar?

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