DDA Assistant Director Planning Study Material: Complete Guide & Notes (Post Code 04)

DDA Assistant Director Planning Study Material

Preparing for the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) recruitment exam? The syllabus for Assistant Director (Planning) is vast, bridging the gap between technical architecture, modern urban planning, and specific legal frameworks for Delhi.

This guide provides structured study notes for all 6 Technical Sections of Part-I , complete with practical examples to help you crack the exam.

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DDA Assistant Director Planning Study Material

Section 1: Architecture

Syllabus Focus: History, Styles, and Modern Developments .

To score well here, you must connect historical styles with their visual elements and construction techniques.

1. History of Architecture

• Indian Architecture: Focus on the evolution from the Indus Valley (Grid planning) to Temple Architecture (Nagara vs. Dravida styles) and Mughal Architecture (use of arches, domes, and symmetry like in the Taj Mahal) .

• Western Architecture:

  • Greek: Known for “Orders” (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) and optical corrections (e.g., Parthenon).

  • Gothic: Characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses (e.g., Notre Dame).

2. Modern & Contemporary Developments

• Modernism: The shift to “Form follows function.” Key movements include Bauhaus and the International Style (use of steel/glass, lack of ornament).

• Deconstruction: Fragmented, non-rectilinear shapes.

  • Example: Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Center or Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum.

• Renowned Architects:

  • Le Corbusier: Crucial for his work on Chandigarh and the “Five Points of Architecture.”

  • Charles Correa: Known for climate-responsive designs like Jawahar Kala Kendra.

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Section 2: Environmental Planning and Design

Syllabus Focus: Ecosystems, EIA, Green Buildings, and Pollution .

1. Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA)

EIA is the statutory tool used to predict the environmental consequences of a project before it begins.

• Process: Screening –> Scoping –> Public Consultation –> Appraisal.

• Application: A new highway project requires EIA to assess tree cutting and noise impact on nearby settlements.

2. Sustainable Design & ECBC

• Green Building Ratings: Study GRIHA (India’s national rating) and LEED. Know the difference between a 3-star and 5-star rating.

• ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code): Mandates minimum energy efficiency for commercial buildings with a connected load >100kW.

• Climate Responsive Design:

  • Solar Architecture: Orienting buildings North-South to minimize heat gain.

  • Shading: Using “Chajjas” (overhangs) to block the high summer sun.

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DDA Assistant Director Planning Study Material

Section 3: Urban Planning and Housing

Syllabus Focus: Types of Plans, Smart Cities, TOD, and Housing Policies .

1. Hierarchy of Plans

Understanding the scale of planning is vital :

• Master Plan: A statutory document for 20 years (e.g., MPD 2041). Defines land use zoning.

• Zonal Plan: Breaks the city into zones (e.g., Zone D for New Delhi) for detailed planning.

• Local Area Plan (LAP): Micro-planning for specific neighborhoods or redevelopment areas.

2. Emerging Concepts

• Transit Oriented Development (TOD): High-density, mixed-use development within 500-800m of Metro stations.

  • Example: Delhi’s TOD policy allows higher FAR near Metro corridors to encourage public transport use .

• Smart City: Focuses on core infrastructure + smart solutions (e.g., Intelligent Traffic Management).

3. Housing Standards

• Neighborhood Unit: Proposed by Clarence Perry. A self-contained unit centered around a primary school.

• Affordable Housing: Defined by carpet area (e.g., <60 sq.m) and affordability.

• PMAY-U: The flagship scheme “Housing for All,” focusing on In-situ Slum Redevelopment and Credit Linked Subsidies.

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DDA Assistant Director Planning Study Material

Section 4: Planning Techniques and Management

Syllabus Focus: Surveys, GIS, Remote Sensing, and URDPFI Guidelines .

1. GIS & Remote Sensing

• Remote Sensing: Using satellite imagery to detect changes, such as identifying unauthorized colonies or encroached floodplains.

• GIS Applications:

  • Land Suitability Analysis: Overlaying maps (Slope + Soil + Water Table) to find the best site for a landfill or hospital.

  • Network Analysis: Optimizing routes for waste collection or emergency services.

2. Development Guidelines (URDPFI)

The URDPFI Guidelines 2014 are the bible for Indian planners.

• Social Infrastructure Norms: Know the population requirements for facilities (e.g., 1 Primary School per 5,000 population).

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DDA Assistant Director Planning Study Material

Section 5: Services, Infrastructure, and Transportation

Syllabus Focus: Transport Planning, Traffic Engineering, and Utilities .

1. Transportation Planning

• The 4-Stage Model: Trip Generation –> Trip Distribution –> Mode Choice –> Trip Assignment .

• Level of Service (LOS): Categorized from A (Free Flow) to F (Forced Flow/Jam). Urban roads aim for LOS C.

2. Urban Infrastructure

• Water Supply: Standard norm is 135 LPCD for metro cities.

• Solid Waste Management: Rules 2016 mandate source segregation (Wet, Dry, Hazardous). The trend is shifting from landfills to Waste-to-Energy plants.

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DDA Assistant Director Planning Study Material

Section 6: Planning Legislation and GIS

Syllabus Focus: DDA Act 1957, Master Plan of Delhi, and Bye-Laws .

This is the most scoring section for DDA aspirants.

1. Delhi Development Act, 1957

• Section 6: Defines the objective of the DDA: “To promote and secure the development of Delhi.”

• Section 12: Empowers the Central Government to declare “Development Areas.”

2. Master Plan of Delhi (MPD)

• Evolution: From the ring-town concept of MPD-1962 to the redensification strategies of MPD-2021.

• Key Strategies: In-situ slum rehabilitation, Land Pooling Policy, and Mixed-Use regulations.

3. Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL) 2016

• Simplified the approval process with the Saral Scheme for small plots and introduced a Single Window Clearance system for faster permits.

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Preparation Strategy: What to Read?

1. Original Documents: Download the DDA Act 1957 and MPD-2021 from the DDA website. Read the “Vision” and “Development Code” chapters.

2. Standard Books:

   • Town Planning by Rangwala (Basics).

   • URDPFI Guidelines Vol. 1 (For norms).

3. Current Affairs: Stay updated on NITI Aayog reports regarding Urbanization, Smart Cities, and Metro Rail policies.

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