{
  "id": 11573055,
  "title": "City with Open Hand turns 75: Can Chandigarh grow without losing itself?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/city-with-open-hand-turns-75-can-chandigarh-grow-without-losing-itself",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T01:35:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/chandigarh-turns-75-city-with-open-hand-10904487/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chandigarh, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this October, is a city that continues to face a fundamental question: can it grow without losing its unique character? The city, designed by architect Le Corbusier, was built on three cardinal principles - sun, space and greenery. Despite its rapid growth and a dwindling amount of land, there is a concern that vertical growth could damage the city's essence. The recent amendments to the Chandigarh Master Plan 2031 have opened the door for high-rises, but this move is met with strong opposition from residents, elected officials and even bureaucrats. The city's population is at an all-time high, and while some argue that the city should grow upwards to accommodate more people, others fear that such changes could compromise the city's unique identity. The debate over the city's future is complicated further by the city's political history, as it has been the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana since 1966. Despite this complex past, Chandigarh remains a beloved home for many, with its sectors each offering a unique charm.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Chandigarh celebrates 75th anniversary this October",
    "City faces question of growth vs maintaining unique character",
    "High-rises proposed in recent Master Plan 2031, met with opposition"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The city's 75th anniversary spotlights the tension between accommodating growth and preserving the unique character that defines Chandigarh, as its residents, leaders, and officials weigh the costs of high-rise development.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}