2. Auroville is an experimental township in Viluppuram district mostly
in the state of Tamil Nadu, India with some parts in the Union
Territory of Puducherry in South India. It was founded in 1968 by
Mirra Alfassa (known as "the Mother") and designed by architect
Roger Anger. As stated in Alfassa's first public message in 1965,
Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of
all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony,
above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of
Aurovilleisto realizehumanunity.
3. Vision of the City
Auroville, sometimes referred to as "The
City of Dawn" is conceived for 50,000
inhabitants from around the world. At
the centre stands the Matrimandir, the
"soul of the city", a place for individual
silent concentration, in an oval shaped
Peace Area surrounded by a lake.
Radiating out beyond the lake 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. Surrounding the township will
be a Green Belt consisting of forested
areas,farmsand sanctuaries.
4. Concept
Conception In her 1965 sketch of
Auroville, the Mother laid down
the basic concept for the city. This
sketch delineated all the
important activity areas that
would fulfill the vision of making it
a universal city. For other things
she gave a free hand to Roger
Anger, the French architect she
had appointed to oversee the
city's physical development.
5. Planning & Architecture
Auroville, 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 is also
present