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@article{207522,
        author = {Ar. Rahul Duseja},
        title = {Cultural Dissonance in Contemporary Indian Urban Development: Consequences of Adopting Western Planning and Architectural Models Without Contextual Adaptation},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {no},
        pages = {34-44},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=207522},
        abstract = {India’s cities have changed rapidly over the past few decades, with many of the newer developments taking inspiration from Europe and North America. Glass curtain-wall buildings, large road networks, private vehicle-based development, zoning systems and international architectural styles are now common signs of a modern city. These ideas were developed under very different climatic, social, economic and historical conditions. When they are brought into India without enough changes, they can create problems because the same planning ideas are being used under very different conditions.
These problems can be seen in buildings, roads, transportation, zoning, public spaces and cultural areas. Large areas of glass can increase solar heat gain and cooling requirements in hot Indian climates. Cities are also trying to provide both private vehicle infrastructure and public transportation, but the two systems are often not planned as one connected system. Traditional mixed-use areas are replaced by separated zones, while markets, religious spaces and informal gathering areas are often not considered in the same way as formal public spaces. At the same time, climate-responsive architecture that developed in India over many years is being replaced by more standardized international building forms.
This paper studies these issues through a comparison of Frankfurt, Dallas and Gurugram, while also looking at the historical influence of British and American culture on Indian cities. The paper does not suggest that European or American planning systems should be rejected. Instead, it argues that their useful parts should be adapted to Indian conditions. Possible solutions include climate-based façade regulations, city-specific façade codes, contextual zoning, mixed mobility planning, third-place planning and better protection of cultural areas. These solutions are not presented as proven methods. They should first be tested at a small scale through real projects, GIS and urban simulation before being considered for larger implementation.},
        keywords = {Indian Urban Planning; Climate-Responsive Architecture; Contextual Design; Cultural Identity; Sustainable Urbanism; Transportation Planning; Built Environment},
        month = {August},
        }