CP Kukreja Architects’ design of India’s first large-scale Transit-Oriented Urban Hub for Delhi Development Authority, is set to revolutionize the country’s approach to city development by redefining accessibility, sustainability, mobility, and community spaces to create a new model for urban growth.
The East Delhi Hub at Karkardooma stands as one of the most ambitious urban redevelopment initiatives in the capital, envisioned as India’s first large-scale Transit Oriented Development (TOD). The project represents a forward-looking model for integrated, high-density, and sustainable urban growth in Delhi.
The East Delhi Hub spans approximately 3.27 million square feet of site area and will deliver nearly 15 million square feet of mixed-use development. Undertaken by the DDA, the project is conceived as a prototype for a more compact, connected and climate-conscious future for Indian cities, and places public transport and accessibility at the heart of its design.
The East Delhi Hub is envisioned as a vertical neighbourhood, a complete urban ecosystem where residential, commercial, civic and recreational spaces exist within walking distance of one another. The design adopts a transit-first approach, organising buildings and activities around the metro interchange to encourage public transport use and reduce car dependency. The vertical massing liberates valuable ground area for landscaped plazas, shaded pedestrian boulevards and community gathering spaces, creating a healthy balance between density and openness.
Amenities include a 20,000sqm central green area, jogging track, children’s play zone, open-air gym, multipurpose cricket field and badminton courts. Residents will also have an easy access to schools, hospitals and shopping centres.
The project is poised to become a defining example of how thoughtful planning and design can lead the way toward a more sustainable and connected urban future. It is a step towards reshaping the urban experience of Delhi into one that is smarter, cleaner and more humane.
Ar. Dikshu C. Kukreja
Managing Principal
CP Kukreja Architects
Architecturally, the development draws from Delhi’s climate and cultural character. Facades feature deep shading, jaali-inspired screens and vertical greenery that reduce heat gain while adding texture and rhythm to the skyline. Innovative noise-buffering ‘Soundscrapers’ and environmental monitoring systems mitigate challenges of air and sound pollution, while smart infrastructure enables renewable energy, water recycling and waste management. These interventions work together to create a sustainable and resilient model for high-density urban living.
Fact File
Typology: Mixed-use Urban DevelopmentName of Project: East Delhi Hub
Location: Karkardooma, New Delhi
Principal Architect: Dikshu C. Kukreja
Design Team: Devavrat Singh Tomar, Deepak Agarwal
Site Area: 25 hectares (62 acres)
Built-Up Area: Superstructure - 10,00,000 sq.m approx.
Completion Date: Ongoing
One of the project’s defining elements is the 155-metre-tall 48 stories residential tower, set to be the tallest in Delhi, which forms a key visual landmark for the city’s eastern horizon. Designed with a mix of housing types, the tower symbolises inclusivity and social diversity, while the surrounding public realm reinforces community engagement through open-air terraces, shaded promenades and park spaces. Together, the architecture and landscape articulate a new language of vertical yet humane urbanism.
