The initiative is a project of the Aga Khan Development Network

"It is indeed my deep belief conservation can play a central role in helping different civilizations understand each other, to appreciate how mutually enriching their historic interactions have been, and the contribution of each to the common heritage of humanity."

- His Highness the Aga Khan

The overall objectives of the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative’s monument area development Plan are to retain the vernacular urban fabric, to direct the course of urban development in its contextual setting, and to preserve the historical resources of the basti.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti has transformed into being a historic settlement owing to the presence of the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Today it is a densely packed urban quarter of Delhi, and within the settlement exists the largest collection of Indo-Islamic Monuments, 32 listed monuments, in any one place in Delhi, dating from the Tughlaq to the Mughal periods. The character of the Basti with its distinct and unique customs, traditions, and vernacular urban fabric with narrow streets provide many opportunities to develop them for urban heritage and international tourism. Both are of great value to the city and have been called out in the Master Plan 2021 for purposeful development. A place, where history and tradition can continue to survive and are elegantly integrated with the present.

The physical development plan schemes aim to address and resolve some of the present urban issues and drawbacks of the basti with design interventions and recommendations. The schemes look its settlement pattern, architectural features, movement patterns, parks, urban open spaces, land-use, density, monument areas, market places, streetscape, public facilities and its physical infrastructure.