Urban Dynamics and the changing language of Space: a case of New Delhi

This paper attempts to study discursive representations of urban spaces within Indian urban development practice with a case study of the capital of India, New Delhi. This is an effort towards crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries and enhancing transdisciplinary research. Words changing over time can be taken as clues to the historical development of the relationship of society to urban space. The data for this work has been collected through various channels, ranging from newspapers, municipal documents, the internet, literature and historical works. The city of Delhi is characterized by its complexity, plurality and hybridity. With a variety of issues of concern in India’s urbanization, the city environment is one of the most important issues shaping urban development at present in Indian cities. It is interesting to note that there is a shift in the languages that frame the environmental issue. There is a rapid interest in reporting on the city in newspapers and the media, and scores of online platforms in Delhi. An urban discourse has emerged involving people from all walks of life.