The broad planning intension for New Chandigarh is a self-sustaining, medium density area to ensure quality living while preserving the natural environment. A grid-iron pattern has been adopted for this new township with focal points and key activity zones carefully juxtaposed with open spaces and buildings that relate to each other visually. Since there are no major existing developments, with the exception of the developments within the village of Mullanpur and other rural settlements, there is little hindrance and minimal need for urban renewal and redevelopment. Good connectivity plays an extremely important role in the success of a township. Apart from the existing MDR-B and MDR-C, for better planning and connectivity additional roads have also been planned. The major arterial roads are 60 mts wide and are supported by collector and primary roads, which are 45 mts and 30mts wide respectively. With the construction of the GMADA expressway, New Chandigarh will be easily accessible from Baddi and Anandpur Sahib.

Open spaces and recreational areas are important elements in the overall planning of New Chandigarh (Mullanpur). The total area of land under recreation, parks and open spaces is about 900 ha, with about 250 ha additional area allocated for recreation and tourism. The green spaces including PLPA land makeup about 33 % of New Chandigarh’s total area. Lands for parks and gardens have been set aside for regional, city and neighbourhood use. Quality living environment is created with a good distribution of green spaces with the residential areas. A sizable piece of contiguous land in the south-western side of New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) has been set aside as a sports and recreation zone which includes proposal for a Sports Stadium, Horse Riding Grounds and Golf Courses among others. Guidelines have been formulated to ensure that there are sufficient building setbacks and 3m – 5m green buffers along all roads to present a pleasant and healthy environment.

Intra-urban migration is expected to be the main catalyst in the population growth for New Chandigarh. Approximately 27% of the area is dedicated for residential use. The main private developers in the area are DLF, Omaxe, Altus Space Builders and Innovative Housing Infrastructure Private Limited.

The Medicity (Health Zone) and the Education City (Knowledge Zone) are situated at the opposite ends of the fringe of New Chandigarh to yield a better environment by segregating the traffic movement and providing a balanced distribution of jobs and housing. An additional pocket has been earmarked for Education Zone for setting up of independent institutions to cater to the local needs of the residential areas.

The Mixed Use development will provide a variation of retail, entertainment, accommodation and marketing convenience for residents, workers and tourists. These are primarily located along the rivers and the major arterial roads with emphasis on encouraging the livability and vibrancy of these places by making them pedestrian oriented and providing connected parks and open spaces.

The location of the proposed 25 acres Transport Terminal along the major arterial road MDR-B heightens the easy connectivity and accessibility to Chandigarh and other LPAs, thereby enabling New Chandigarh (Mullanpur)’s industries to tap into the pool of “out of town” workers where the need arises. In the future, a Metro Station is proposed to come up next to this Transport Terminal. The forecast traffic for the next 30 years and the location of various development zones has guided the proposed hierarchy of roads and number of traffic lanes for each road.

Industries in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) will shift towards more service oriented businesses. A dedicated industrial zone, approximately 3-5% of the total area has been planned towards the south of the residential area along the PR-4. Adequate Utilities/ Infrastructure have been planned for this new city to cater to the forecast population of the next 25 years.