Urban Planning and Environment

Study Notes

Urbanization and Planning Challenges

The world is increasingly becoming urban, with more people migrating to cities and towns, leading to a shortage of houses, uncontrolled settlements, and a shortage of public utilities.
City authorities and planners face a multitude of problems, necessitating the need for planning laws and legislation.

Evolution of Town Planning and Development Laws

The history of contemporary planning practice in India dates back to the enactment of the Bombay Improvement Trust Act in 1920.
Similar Acts were enacted in other Presidencies, and the visit of Sir Patrick Geddes to India in 1914 laid the foundation for the setting up of Improvement Trusts and subsequent thinking process for the enactment of Town and Country Planning Acts in various States.
The Statutory process of master plan formulation in India was inspired by the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947 of the UK.
Urban Development Authorities were set up under Development Authority Acts to address the problems of fast-growing towns and cities and formulate statutory processes for planned development.

73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Act (CAA)

The 73rd CAA came into effect from 24th April, 1993, and the 74th CAA, from 1st June, 1993.
The Constitution of India has detailed provisions for ensuring the protection of democracy in Parliament and State Legislatures.
The CAA made provisions for decentralization, ensuring democracy in the establishment and operation of local self-government, and bestowed power to the people to plan for themselves and participate in the decision-making process.

Suggested Modifications in the Model Regional and Town Planning and Development Law 1985

Replacing old Land Acquisition Act with the LARR Act (2013).
Mandatory Implementation of 73rd and 74th CAAs.
Interstate Planning to promote economic growth and balanced development of the Region.
Joint Area Committee for an area of more than one Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Town Panchayat, or Village Panchayat.

Innovative Systems of Land Assembly and Private Sector Participation

Various techniques to develop small or fragmented land parcels into usable land through transfer of ownership.
Encouraging Private and Joint Sector Participation with appropriate legal support.

Time Line State Regulatory Body

The role of this State Body is to regulate and monitor the functioning of Development bodies.

Government Policy on Infrastructure Development

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the country.
Initiatives have been taken to promote PPPs in sectors like power, ports, highways, airports, tourism, and urban infrastructure.

The Approach to Urban Planning in India

The current urban planning regime in India is primarily focused on detailed land use zoning.
There is a move away from rigid Master Plans in many countries, exploring more flexible ways to accommodate changes in land use and density patterns over time.
The approach to urban planning recognizes the two-way relationship between land use planning and transportation.

Flexible Development Strategies

FSI is generally seen to increase in the course of development.
Regulating FSI at a higher level than that of existing buildings encourages redevelopment of older buildings.
TDRs are used to ease the FSI constraint on development, allowing developers to surrender land for public amenities in specified locations in exchange for getting higher FSI in other specified locations.

Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of the need for planning laws and legislation in urban areas, particularly in addressing issues such as housing shortages, uncontrolled settlements, and public utility deficiencies. It covers the challenges faced by city authorities and planners in managing urban growth.