This world was not built with random bricks of Chance,
A blind god is not destiny's architect;
A conscious power has drawn the plan of life,
There is a meaning in each curve and line.
Sri Aurobindo

Planning & Architecture

Auroville, often referred to as "The City of Dawn", is conceived for 50,000 inhabitants from around the world. It is located on a low-lying plateau on the southeast coast of India, some 10 kilometres north of Pondicherry. At the centre stands the Matrimandir, the "soul of Auroville", a place for individual silent concentration. Radiating out beyond the Matrimandir Gardens are four Zones - the Industrial (north), Cultural (north-east), Residential (south/south-west) and International (west) - each focusing on an important aspect of the town's life. A Green Belt consisting of forested areas, farms and sanctuaries with scattered settlements for those involved in green work is in its growth phase.

While much of the land is still to be acquired, Auroville presently manages over 80% of the total acreage within the town area. The situation in the Green Belt is less advanced, with a far smaller portion of the area currently belonging to Auroville. The present 'community' of Auroville consists of some 120 settlements of varying size, interspersed with and surrounded by lands owned by Auroville, by surrounding villages and by some temples.

  • City the Earth Needs
  • A City With a Soul
  • A Living Laboratory

An Overview

Planned Population
50000
Diameter With Greenbelt
5km
Acres Planned Area
4942
Planned Inner City Area
Car Free
City Area Diameter
2.5km
Private Property
No

Related Categories

Vision of the City