Without a doubt, Gurgaon is the kind of city urban planners can learn from on how not to build a city. This, for various reasons: A private sector gone berserk because it was blindsided by greed, successive governments that abdicated responsibility, and apathy on part of the landed gentry.
But a World Bank official who does not wish to be identified says Gurgaon was nothing but a land grab operation by builders and politicians. A 2009 WWF Report on Indian Urbanisation quotes Arun Maira, member of the planning commission and part of a local NGO trying to revive Gurgaon. “The fundamental problem here is that urbanisation has been driven by bad planning and a thought process which doesn’t believe in devising viable urban spaces.” The philosophy, he says, seems to be to let people build residences and offices arbitrarily and as they get occupied, infrastructure and other economic activity will follow. This is a prime example of ad hoc and unsustainable urbanisation, he adds.
“After all, we get the city we deserve… They’ll gripe for a while, but then you can pull down the curtains and there are few things a good drink will not help you forget,” chuckles KC Sivaramakrishnan.
Correction: This article has been updated with a correction. We had earlier stated that KP Singh of DLF had invited Jeffery Immelt of GE to visit India. It was actually Jack Welch.
(This story appears in the 03 August, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Stayed in the city for almost 4 years - first between 2006 and 2008 and then from 2011 to 2013. I have seen how the city has become an unplanned and concrete jungle. The roads are horrible, the traffic scene is a nightmare. A small aspect of even reaching office is just so tiring. Daily problems of water, electricity make life hell. The cost of a normal outing for dining is almost double than that of other cities in India - plainly due to the fact that there are no cheaper and normal options available. Everything is just so expensive. The environment or the weather make it no better to bear all this - weather is extreme and the air we breathe is so polluted. Milk is adulterated and veggies, fruits are full of pesticides. I was advised by my doctor to move out of the city at the right time to avoid health issues in future. And i have indeed been happy since the day I have done so.
on Aug 25, 2014i am living gurgaon from last one.i am unable to understand why companies are coming here just for airport.Here is no better road, no drain system, no traffic control,no better park,no water,no better transport facility.It is a city of mud,auto vechile ,traffic jam, bar and mutistories building only.Gurgaon is very poor city in compare to delhi,Noida,greater noida, banglore.
on Sep 21, 2012Its correct, there is no option at all in INDIA, the way metro\'s are flooded with professionals. 10 Lac flat price rose upto 1 crore. Pepople\'s purchasing power is being inflated with flooded loans from banks. Its not worth buying a 200 SQ meter space in air for 1 crore. Ruppes is depreciating crazy as compared to $$. 8-15% salary hike means nothing in GGN now because things are 25% expensive. Its worth to buy a house in DALLAS, TX USA rather than in GGN because reality procices are stable in USA now but inflated in INDIA. Not sure when this bubble will burst(when people will not be able to pay their EMI) they will have to move out of their flats with 5-8 years of EMI paid as they will not be left with any more pay hikes and this inflated salary structures. I have seen this time in USA and strongly support that it will not too far in INDIA in next 5-8 years. The day majority of common man got stuck in this EMI cage, the builders and banks are going to screw them up big time....Wait and watch....!!!
on Sep 9, 2012Tell me something new! this is the SAME story all over again , and again, and again . the biggest deja vu country in the whole world is India. We have the feeling we have seen it happen before , ALL the time. Builders/ politicians/ other businessmen nexus. No place for professionals and ideas to make lives better because it reduces the profits of these big houses. They always think of a self contained township, but never think of where the water comes from and where the water goes. They build malls, but nary a thought of the ill effects or countering it. They don't even plan for present, forget about thinking ahead!
on Aug 7, 2012You might also want to correct that GE did not set-up Genpact. GE set-up GECIS a subsidiary company of GE Capital. GECIS was later on divested and it became Genpact. Distorted expression (or facts perhaps) does not suit Forbes.
on Aug 6, 2012Gurgaon though much costlier in reality estate than Noida because the architecture of buildings is world class but a beautiful building without adequate and proper infrastructure around it is like a beautiful lady without cloths and ashamed. Noida again on its peripherial sectors is now making the same mistake though central Noida is pretty good and green.
on Aug 5, 2012What kind of homework did you do before writing this article? The whole world knows it was Jack Welch who was invited by KP Singh. Get your facts right Forbes.
on Aug 2, 2012