Reclaiming Identity

Colonial Imposition, Modernist Experimentation, and Cultural Identity in Indian Urbanism

Abstract

The transformation of cities throughout history has been altered by the constant shift in social, political, economic, and technological changes. The current scale of dense urbanization is a relatively new phenomenon, and with most of the current global population occupying urban areas our cities are bound to expand, transform and possibly become utterly unrecognizable. As history progressed to the modern era, not all cities have undergone the same level of gradual and balanced evolution from antiquity to present. This paper will look into the idea that cities are meant to be innately related to their region and historical heritage they come from and how external forces in this day and age are preventing that from continuing into the future. Rather than taking on this idea through the lens of all cities, this paper will focus on the beautiful cultural identity of urbanism in India with a particular focus on the imperial plan of New Delhi and the stark contrast between smaller Indian cities. This topic was influenced by a 15-day trip to India during the Spring of 2025. The firsthand experience of such unique and vibrant urban living in the city of New Delhi and numerous other smaller cities in the state of Gujarat opened my eyes to the importance of retaining the core values of a place intact through the inevitable changes that are required from a continually advancing world.