NEW PATNA WORLD CITY – A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF UTOPIA

Abstract

The interaction between city and water river has always possessed vast set of opportunities for urban development and renewal – the case of Patna and Ganga is the same. With the ambitions to put a new image of Patna on the world map, the government of Bihar has invited a proposal from Hafeez Contractor – a well known architect. He has proposed New Patna World City on the Diara, a 30 yr fluvial terrace of Patna, which boasts of world class facilities for recreation, community, sports, commercial and residence. The new development proposal draws its inspiration form world class city Dubai. It tries to paint a beautiful picture for the residents, investors, Social activists and environmentalists alike. This paper examines the proposal from a critical perspective.