CHANDIGARH: The city's population will grow by 50% in next 15 years. But is it ready to house these people? No. Not because of space constraints but due to the mental set up of not allowing change in the city design. That was conclusion of architecture students from Canada.

In the city for last four months, the students were assigned one street each and made an architectural plan to develop that area in a way that it could accommodate more population while also portraying the mixed land use. They worked under their guide and faculty professor John Bass.

The major roadblock, the students said, in developing the city was the mindset of people about not experimenting with traditional design. "People do not want to touch anything. Preserving heritage is certainly an important aspect for a heritage city but the growing traffic and population cannot be ignored. Some of the heritage cites should be preserved while city must change with time," Christopher, a student said.

The students and their faculty believed that the city has a lot of space and scope to grow further But the socio-economic divide does not allow it. "Rehabilitation is good but we disagree with the point where it is done- in the periphery," students said.

"There is space if we are not rigid to preserve it and to use it only for the elite. In my project, I have utilized the mango orchards opposite Industrial Area to build small housing societies," said Jonathan Heinz, one of the students.

A common suggestion by all students was to bring high income and low income groups within the city. Many students suggested proposals of bringing both income groups close to each other to lower the divide be it in market place or in housing set up.