British architect left speechless by Chandigarh's planning and cleanliness

A British architect's glowing review of Chandigarh has gone viral online after he said the city felt completely different from the image of India often seen by foreign visitors.

Russell Henderson, an architect who has worked across the UK, Australia and Thailand and is currently based in Tanzania, recently shared his first impressions of Chandigarh in an Instagram video. What stood out to him wasn't a famous monument or bustling market, but the city's orderly layout, clean streets and surprisingly calm atmosphere.

Walking through Chandigarh's broad roads and pedestrian-friendly pathways, Henderson appeared visibly impressed by the city's design.

"Do you really think this is a city in India?" he asks in the video. "This is nothing like anything you'd expect in India."

As he explored the city, he pointed to its organised road network, dedicated spaces for cyclists and pedestrians, and the absence of the congestion commonly associated with large urban centres.

"You've got double road traffic here, double road traffic there," he said, highlighting the city's wide roads and infrastructure. "I've never seen that before, really."

Designed by renowned Swiss-French architect and urban planner Le Corbusier, Chandigarh is known for its grid-based layout, abundant green spaces and carefully planned sectors. Henderson noted that these features continue to shape daily life in the city decades after it was built.

He was particularly struck by how spacious and uncluttered the streets felt.

"As you can see, it's a very well-planned city. Lots of space, no congestion whatsoever," he said.

Watch the video here:

The architect also praised the city's cleanliness and sense of safety, saying he was comfortable walking around with his camera throughout the day and into the night.

"I can't see any rubbish anywhere," he remarked while filming.

The video quickly attracted attention online, with many Indians welcoming the positive portrayal of a city that often receives less international attention than destinations such as Mumbai or Delhi.

Several Chandigarh residents expressed pride in their city, while others thanked Henderson for highlighting a side of India that foreign travellers do not always encounter. Some users described Chandigarh as one of the country's most liveable cities, while others reflected on how the city has evolved over the years.

The viral video has since sparked conversations about urban planning, cleanliness and the many different experiences that make up modern India.