Urban Planning and Development

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.