A UK travel vlogger’s reaction to Chandigarh has sparked a conversation online after he shared what surprised him most about the city. Having travelled through several major Indian cities, Jack Heaton said his experience in Chandigarh felt noticeably different.Rather than focusing on a particular tourist spot, Heaton spoke about the city’s overall character and the way it is laid out. His comments have also prompted Chandigarh residents to share their own thoughts about the city.
Le Corbusier’s design catches his attention
During his visit, Heaton highlighted the planning behind Chandigarh and its connection with Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier.“You only have to look around to see why. Designed from scratch by the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, this is Chandigarh,” he says in the video.He described the city as being built around a grid, with wide roads, green spaces and Brutalist buildings.“Instead of the usual chaos, it’s laid out in a huge grid with wide green spaces and a hefty dose of Brutalist buildings. Basically, someone actually sat down and planned the bloody thing,” he says.
‘Everything is suspiciously organised’
The vlogger compared his Chandigarh experience with what he had encountered in other major Indian cities.“It’s miles different, and everything is suspiciously organised,” he says.He also pointed out Chandigarh’s unusual administrative status. The city is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana as well as a Union Territory.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.“If that wasn’t confusing enough, it’s also its own self-governing territory,” Heaton says.
He calls Chandigarh one of India’s most liveable cities
Heaton went on to describe Chandigarh as one of India’s most liveable cities, referring to its planned structure and relatively spacious surroundings.In the caption accompanying the video, he said he had enjoyed travelling across India but found the country’s big cities “undeniably chaotic”. He described arriving in Chandigarh as “a little bit of a shock”.He also praised the city’s “planned, efficient design and maintenance”.The vlogger additionally mentioned Chandigarh’s property prices, saying houses can cost more than a million dollars because of high demand.
Social media users react
The video received responses from viewers, including Chandigarh residents who shared their own experiences.“Built by French architect, that’s why,” one user commented.Another wrote, “As someone from Chandigarh, I absolutely agree. Every time I travel to other Indian cities, the chaos and lack of planning give me a headache. Chandigarh really spoils you!”“Really amazing! Chandigarh is one of my favourite cities,” a third user said.The reactions reflected the pride several users expressed about Chandigarh’s planning, architecture and open spaces.Disclaimer: This article is based on information and social media content available to the publication at the time of writing. Times of India does not independently endorse the views expressed by individuals quoted in the article.Thumb image: Instagram
