Planning for Health in the Resettlement Colonies of Delhi, India

Abstract

In modern day Delhi, India, much research has been conducted on understanding the past and present of urban planning as well as the epidemological profile of Delhi, however, there is a significant gap in research focused on understanding the steps of the planning process and how they can improve public health. In this thesis I explore the use of the rational planning model and its use in the development of reesttlement colonies in New Delhi, and use case studies from resettlement colonies to provide examples of how the model's shortcomings have led to health disparities in the colonies. My research concludes that each step of the Rational Planning models, as applied in Delhi, has opportunity to cause or enhance public health threats when used to plan resettelment colonies, and future slum relocation programs would benefit from alternative planning theories.