Urban Planning and Development

Study Notes

Urban Planning and Municipal Governance

Urban planning includes town planning, roads and bridges, regulation of land-use and construction of buildings, and slum improvement and upgradation.
Responsibilities of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) include urban poverty alleviation, planning for economic and social development, and promotion of cultural, educational, and aesthetic aspects.

Municipal Governance and Service Provision

As per the Indian Constitution, the State is responsible for the provision of municipal services.
74th Constitution Amendment Act, 1992, outlines ULB responsibilities and functions as per the 12th Schedule.
Urban areas are classified as: statutory towns, municipal corporation, municipality, nagar panchayats, cantonment board, township, and port trust.

Stakeholder Consultations

Stakeholder demands and attitudes regarding new approaches to solid waste management.
Willingness/ability of stakeholders to cooperate and engage with formal and informal waste workers.
Willingness to pay for services, including mode and frequency.

Solid Waste Management

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation provides 25 basic services and 42 other services, including solid waste management.
Solid waste management department is headed by a Director and supported by a Deputy Director.
Zone-level staff include health officers, supervisors, and sanitary inspectors.

Municipal Finance and Service Provision

ULBs in India need to improve their fiscal autonomy and capacity to deliver infrastructure and services.
Municipal revenues/expenditures are approximately 1% of the GDP, and revenue sources are limited and ineffective.
Revenue sources include grants-in-aid, subsidies, foreign direct investment, loans from financial institutions, municipal bonds/debentures, and public-private partnerships.

Devolution of Expenditure and Revenue Sources

74th Amendment recognizes ULBs as the third tier of government.
Article 243X: allows municipal bodies to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees.
Article 243Y: allows State Finance Commissions to review and recommend devolution of tax revenues and grants-in-aid to urban local governments.

Foreign Direct Investment and Loans

100% FDI is allowed in townships, housing, and built-up infrastructure projects.
Bi-lateral and multi-lateral development agencies provide aid/loans to developing countries.
Multilateral organizations provide loans/grants-in-aid in various countries, with a long application and fund disbursement process.

Description

Test your knowledge of urban planning concepts, including town planning, land-use regulation, and urban poverty alleviation. This quiz covers various aspects of urban development, from roads and bridges to cultural and aesthetic aspects.