The Delhi Urban Art Commission Act, 1973
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Act details
| Short title | The Delhi Urban Art Commission Act, 1973 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the establishment of the Delhi Urban Art Commission with a view to preserving, developing and maintaining the aesthetic quality of urban and environmental design within Delhi. |
| Act number | 1 of 1974 |
| Act year | 1974 |
| Enactment date | 1 Jan 1974 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 27 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 3 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Legislative history
Legislative History: The Delhi Urban Art Commission Act, 1973
Source:
Key Legislative Metadata
Legislative Stage / Attribute Official Details
Act Title The Delhi Urban Art Commission Act, 1973
Act Number Act No. 1 of 1974
Act ID (India Code) 197401
Presidential Assent Date January 1, 1974
Enforcement Date May 1, 1974
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
1. Rationale & Context: Following rapid post-independence urbanization, industrial growth, and large-scale public and private construction projects in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, concerns grew regarding the degradation of the city's unique architectural landscape, green covers, historical precincts, and open skylines.
2. The Legislative Problem: Existing municipal bodies and town planning laws (such as the Delhi Development Act, 1957) primarily focused on land-use zoning, spatial planning, and civic infrastructure, but lacked a specialized expert statutory advisory body dedicated exclusively to safeguarding, evaluating, and enhancing the aesthetic and environmental design quality of urban spaces.
3. The Remedy: Parliament enacted the Delhi Urban Art Commission Act, 1973 to establish an independent, expert statutory body the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) charged with the responsibility of advising the Central Government and local bodies on preserving, developing, and maintaining the aesthetic quality of urban and environmental design within Delhi
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation: Conceived by the central government to institutionalize aesthetic and architectural scrutiny for major public buildings, infrastructural layouts, and urban redevelopment schemes in Delhi.
● Parliamentary Passage: Debated and enacted by both Houses of Parliament in late 1973, receiving formal statutory establishment at the start of 1974.
● Presidential Assent:Received assent from the President of India on January 1, 1974, and was brought into force on May 1, 1974
● Enforcement date: Enforced on May 1, 1974.