Urbanisation

The problem with India’s spatial planning: Experts write to PM

Land use planning receives little attention in India, leading to urban sprawl, overcrowding, pollution, traffic congestion, urban flooding

 
By Vinit Loharia, Vikas Kumar
Published: Monday 20 February 2023
Photo: iStock

India's Planning Commission, established after Independence, has been responsible for the overall development planning in the country. However, many have argued that the lack of emphasis on ‘spatial’ planning has led to imbalanced growth and development at the national and regional levels, with some states experiencing high rates of economic growth and others lagging. 

Also, the “differential development strategy” mentioned in the 10th Five-Year Plan (2002-2007) aimed to address this by focusing on development according to space requirements. But it appears that this has not been fully successful in achieving equitable growth across the country.

The Union Ministry of Science and Technology of the Union Government of India recently notified the National Geospatial Policy 2022. Though this policy has multi-dimensional sectoral advantages, the authors believe that, for qualified urban planners, it will help them in allocating places in cities and towns based on spatial analysis in the coming years, unlike before. 

For many decades, country-qualified urban planners have faced challenges due to a lack of spatial data, but this policy will greatly assist them. Additionally, it will aid in the strategic readiness of the ground defence forces.

Urban planning is a somewhat complicated profession in India, and there is no recognised identity for spatial planning. The roles of state and federal governments in urban and rural development are critical. 

The central government’s role is limited to urban development programmes and policies, while the state is primarily responsible for land use planning with the help of master plans. According to item 18 of the 12th Schedule of the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992, urban planning and land use planning are two distinct functions.

India has prioritised urban and rural development in terms of identifying infrastructure gaps based solely on population projections. The irony is that land-use planning, an important component of master plans, receives little attention. As a result, issues like urban sprawl, overcrowding, pollution, traffic congestions and, most importantly, the Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai floods, have become very common in Indian cities. 

Also, there is a live case of missing spatial planning in Joshimath, where hundreds of houses developed cracks since January due to land subsidence. Hence, presently, spatial planning in cities is not scientifically strategic enough for sustainable development.

The United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including sustainable land use practices, are important for urban planning and are widely adopted in the western world through policies and acts such as the national spatial policy and town and country acts. 

In India, there is a cultural connection to the land through the phrase “Bharat Mata Ki Jai", which can be translated to “Victory to Mother India”. Despite this deep connection, the land is becoming increasingly polluted due to uncoordinated efforts and a lack of clarity in terms of land use planning.

To address these issues, it has been suggested that a Spatial Administrative Service should be established at the national and state levels to provide integrated spatial planning at both the micro and macro levels. Additionally, it has been proposed that the Indian Administrative Service should be expanded to include other services such as Indian Engineering Service, Indian Statistical Service as well as Spatial Administrative Service to address issues holistically at all levels. A platform at the international and national levels is also needed to foster collaboration and coordination in achieving these goals.

Besides, India requires several initiatives in terms of the National Spatial Act and Policy, advocacy for spatial planning as one of the SDG goals, a spatial index for Indian settlements, spatial equity, the solution of a complex urban planning profession, their identity or separate courses on spatial planning as well as a change in the master plan approach.

Vinit Kumar Loharia is an urban and regional planner and a member of the National Urban Planners Council. 

Vikas Kumar is an urban planner based in Patna. He is also a member of the National Urban Planners Council and an associate member of the Institute of Town Planners, India.

The authors have mentioned these suggestions in a recent letter addressed to the Prime Minister of India. 

Views expressed are the authors’ own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.

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