Manshi
Introduction
Unauthorised colonies have grown throughout Delhi for many decades. An unauthorised colony is defined as a settlement that has emerged without the necessary approvals concerning the layout, land use, or building plan (MoHUA, 2019). As per the Government of Delhi, the unauthorised colonies have been developing from the very beginning of the planned development of Delhi. The large-scale migration and shortage of affordable housing contributed to their development (Department of Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi [UD Delhi], n.d.).
The government has been implementing different policies to regularise these colonies throughout the years. However, unauthorised colonies are not just a matter of land ownership or legal status, but they are also places where people reside and where the city grows. The analysis of the spatial development of unauthorised colonies can reveal why they develop in some parts of Delhi and not in others.
From Regularisation to Prevention
Delhi has been implementing policies for regularising unauthorised colonies for many years. Although the policies have been changing over time, their primary aim has always been to integrate the existing colonies into the planning and service systems. The first policy was introduced in 1962 when the MCD and DDA regularised 103 colonies. The 1977 policy widened the process, and from 1979 to 1993, 567 colonies were regularised.
There were guidelines introduced in 2001, 2004, and 2007, followed by the 2008 Regulations for Regularisation of Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi. These regulations set clearer rules for colony boundaries, layout plans, land use, and infrastructure. However, the process remained difficult, and the 2008 Regulations were not fully implemented, mainly due to problems in defining colony boundaries and preparing and approving layout plans (Gupta, 2017).
However, a turning point happened with the implementation of the PM-UDAY in 2019, which paid attention to the recognition of property ownership and transfer rights for the residents of
1,731 identified unauthorised colonies. This policy dealt with the problem of properties being owned informally without any official ownership records. (DDA, 2019)
These policies were all dealing with the regularisation of the unauthorised development, which already took place. However, this brings up the question of whether it is possible to understand beforehand the locations and conditions that lead to the development of unauthorised colonies.
Understanding the Spatial Pattern
The unauthorised colonies are not spread out randomly across Delhi. They are located based on the urban development dynamics. Many of these colonies have been developing outside the planning system and have been integrated into it through the process of regularisation (Ghertner, 2021). Accessibility and connectivity become crucial factors. The proximity to the planned neighborhoods provides better access to the roads, markets, and services. Access to public transportation and employment opportunities becomes crucial in making the area suitable for residential use. These connections become especially important for people looking for affordable housing near their workplace.
Land and development conditions also play a crucial role. The land use and zoning regulations determine the intended use of different areas. However, the development does not always follow the plan. The land price becomes one of the determining factors. Low land prices, especially at the urban fringe, might attract the development of housing (Khan, 2015; Naik & Kunduri, 2020).
Urban growth and basic services provision are another aspect of the broader dynamics. As Delhi is expanding outwardly, the open spaces and agricultural lands can become subject to development pressure. The provision of roads, water, drainage, and other necessary services can shape the development of the area. The Government of Delhi has recognised the importance of infrastructure improvement in addressing unauthorised colonies (Department of Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, n.d.).
All these factors can interact with each other. For example, the area characterised by low land prices, good transport access, and employment opportunities might become highly desirable for housing development. The analysis of these conditions can help in identifying the areas that have similar development patterns. It should be considered as the analysis of the conditions connected with the development of unauthorised colonies and not the causal factors.
Preventive Planning
Preventive planning means anticipating housing needs before informal housing development takes place. It is not only about preventing unauthorised construction, but also about understanding why people seek housing in such locations. Affordable housing should be available in appropriate locations and provided with necessary services, including roads, water, drainage, and public transport.
The planning of housing, transport, infrastructure, and employment should be done in a holistic way, especially in rapidly growing areas. The proximity of housing to employment and public transport can provide more favourable options for people looking for affordable housing (UN Habitat, 2013; DDA, 2022). The provision of affordable and serviced housing can also help to reduce the need for informal housing (UN-Habitat, 2025).
Spatial analysis can help with this kind of approach through the identification of areas with similar conditions, for example, low land prices, good transport access, employment opportunities, or rapid development. The early identification of these areas will allow the planners to plan housing and infrastructure and thus prevent unplanned development.
Conclusion
The unauthorised colonies in Delhi show not only the problems with land ownership and legal status, but also the dynamics of urban development and the places where housing is sought. The regularisation of these colonies is still important, but the identification of the locations and spatial conditions associated with the development of unauthorised colonies can become the basis for a preventive approach. Through the analysis of factors such as accessibility, land use, infrastructure, land value, employment, and development at the urban fringe, planners can identify the areas with analogous development pressures. The goal should be to satisfy the housing needs with planned and serviced development.
References
• Department of Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi. (n.d.). Introduction: Unauthorised Colonies Cell. Government of NCT of Delhi.
• Delhi Development Authority. (2019). PM-UDAY scheme. Government of India. • Delhi Development Authority. (2022). Master Plan for Delhi-2021 (incorporating modifications up to 31.08.2022). Government of India.
• Ghertner, D. A. (2021). Regularization and the fictions of planning “Unauthorized Delhi.” In D. A. Ghertner & R. W. Lake (Eds.), Land fictions: The commodification of land in city and country (pp. 161–179). Cornell University Press. https://doi.org/10.7591/cornell/9781501753732.003.0009
• Gupta, N. (2017). Squatter settlement in Delhi: Growth and intervention [Master’s thesis, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi].
• Khan, N. (2015). Urban vernacular: Informal architecture of the unauthorised colonies of Delhi. Jamia Millia Islamia.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. (2019). Report of the Committee to recommend the process for conferring/recognizing ownership or transfer/mortgage rights to the residents of unauthorized colonies in Delhi. Government of India.
• Naik, M., & Kunduri, E. (2020). The role of housing finance actors in regenerating Delhi’s unauthorised colonies: An examination of state–citizen–market boundaries. Urbanisation, 5(2), 102–120.
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). (2013). Planning and design for sustainable urban mobility: Global report on human settlements 2013. United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). (2025). Proposed recommendations on informal settlements.
About the Contributor: Manshi is a Research Associate at the Centre of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation
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