CHAPTER 2 URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA AND THE CASE CITY OF CHENNAI

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1 9 CHAPTER 2 URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA AND THE CASE CITY OF CHENNAI This chapter gives a background of urban development in India in general and describes in detail the urban planning and development of the case city of Chennai. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the urban planning processes practiced in India and to identify the gaps in urban planning processes which could be strengthened using 3D volumetric analyses. This chapter also shed lights on how well equipped are planners with current trend of development for taking planning decisions, and partially answers the question on need for an evaluating tool to measure the ground development with the conceptualized plans. 2.1 URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA India is on the threshold of facing complex urban planning and development challenges in managing massive urbanization. With more than 1.2 billion population, India is expected to surpass China s population by A major portion of this increase would be in existing mega cities, posing greatest challenges to India s urban future (Jauhari 2012). In India, at national level, urban planning and development subject is dealt by the ministry of urban development, the ministry housing and urban poverty alleviation, and the planning commission of India. These are the main agencies which lay down policies, legislations, and development programs etc. At state level Town planning departments are responsible for preparation

2 10 of master plans and development plans (Gurumukhi 2003). Development plan drives planning of cities in India (Munshi 2013) and it outlines land-use zones in which uses like residential, commercial, institutional, industrial etc., are planned. The urban planning process is more or less same throughout the country following the guidelines stipulated in Urban Development Plan Formulation and Implementation, (UDPFI 1996). 2.2 URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN CHENNAI Historically planning and development of metropolitan cities like Chennai has been state governments function. The planning processes in metropolitan areas tend to be more complex and more challenging (Kumar 2013). The following sub chapters are on brief profile of the case city of Chennai and the urban planning and development issues faced Introduction Chennai is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. Chennai is the major cultural, economic, educational and industrial center in south India Location Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu State, is located between 12 50'49" & 13 17'24" North, and between 79 59'53" & 80 20'12" East, Figure 2.1. Chennai is located on the Coramandal coast in southern India and the land is a flat coastal plain. Chennai is referred as the gateway to south India (CMDA 2008).

3 11 Figure 2.1 Case city of Chennai and its location map Figure 2.2 Evolution of Chennai (Source: CMDA 2008)

4 Historical Background In 1600 AD the city was formed of a few scattered settlements separated by long distances. Each settlement grew around the nucleus of a religious institution especially of a temple and has its own history. Chennai has been occupying an important position in the southern region ever since it was founded by the East India Company in the 17 th century. Its importance in the region can be attributed to the fact that till recently it has been the major commercial, administrative and military center for the entire south. A fishing hamlet, which existed at the present site of George Town, called as Chennai Patanam from, which the name of Chennai is said to have been, derived (CMDA 2007). Figures 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 show the evolution of Chennai form 1633, land-use existed in 1973 and 2006 respectively Demography The population of Chennai city in 2011 is lakh with a density of 26,903 per km² making it as fourth most densely populated city in the country (Census 2011). Chennai s population has gone up by 7.8% between 2001 and The total population of Chennai Metropolitan area is 8.6 million in It has a literacy rate of over 90% much higher than the national average of 79% (Census 2011) Socio-Economic Conditions Chennai s economy is mainly based on automobile, IT, hardware manufacturing and healthcare sectors (CMDA 2008). Chennai is also known as the cultural capital of south India and is the most visited city in India by international tourists (Euromonitor 2012).

5 Figure 2.3 Chennai Metropolitan Area Landuse Map 1973 (Source: CMDA 2008) 13

6 Figure 2.4 Chennai Metropolitan AREA Landuse Map 2006 (Source: CMDA 2008) 14

7 Governance and Public Administration Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) comprises the area covered by Chennai Corporation, 16 Municipalities, 20 Town Panchayats and 214 villages (CMDA 2008). CMA or Chennai district comprises of Chennai Corporation and parts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur district as shown in the figure. The total administrative area of Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) is 1192 sq.km, with 426 sq. km as the City Corporation area (CMDA 2008). Previously, the Chennai city corporation limit was 176 sq.km as shown in the Figure HISTORY OF URBAN PLANNING IN CHENNAI The planning of Chennai city dates back to 1920, when the Madras Town Planning Act was enacted. Though the town planning act was in place as early as 1920, the first master plan for Chennai was prepared only in the year 1975, in addition few Town Planning Schemes were prepared (CMDA, Draft Master Plan-II for Chennai Metropolitan Area- 2026, 2007) General Town Planning Scheme 1957 In 1957 a general Town Planning Scheme was prepared with a vision of brining organized growth to the city of Madras (Chennai) The Madras Interim Plan 1967 An Interim Plan for the city was prepared in 1967, which focused on the urban issues of the city and physical planning.

8 Madras Metropolitan Plan The Madras Metropolitan Plan evolved strategies for urban growth, programs for city expansion and provision of physical infrastructure services Madras Urban Development Plan 1974 A series of urban development projects were carried out under Madras Urban Development Plan Master Plan I 1975 The first Master Plan for the city was prepared in the year 1975, which laid down policies, programs for overall urban development of the city Structure Plan 1980 In 1980 a Structure Plan for the entire city was prepared, which focused on sector based investment plans Master Plan II 2008 In 2008, the second Master Plan for the city of Chennai was prepared, with a vision of making Chennai as one of the prime metropolis of the country with improved quality of life, economically sound and environmentally sustainable city.

9 17 Figure 2.5 Chennai Metropolitan Area administrative boundary 2.4 CRITICAL REVIEW OF URBAN PLANNING IN CHENNAI Chennai has had a long history of planning. Zoning and building by-laws are still among the primary tools of modern city planning practice in Chennai (Jothilakshmy 2011). In addition, master plans seek to lay out a

10 18 physical pattern of land use and transportation routes for the city and the metropolitan area as a whole. Thus, master plans serve as a guide for other public agencies to prepare sector based plans (CMDA 2008). The second master plan for Chennai was prepared in 2008 and it is being implemented vehemently. Second master plan is prepared with a vision of making Chennai as one of the best livable cities in India by 2026, with high quality of life and sustainable environment. However, the planning policies and master plan do not clearly reflect on how to accomplish this vision. Master plan also does not reflect how urban form of Chennai city is transformed. It also does not reflect on how climate, landform, built urban fabric, existing physical and social infrastructure services in place etc., were taken into consideration in preparation of master plans. It is understood that the growth of Chennai city is regulated by different planning schemes, policies, two master plans and development regulations framed by Development Authority over the past 53 years. The planning of Chennai city with a general town planning scheme was started in 1957, and had reached the second master plan in 2008, formulated with land use zoning and development regulations as the regulatory mechanism for the growth of the city. The spatial strategy and land use planning of the master plan follows zoning and development regulations that pertain to the different zones, with two dimensional plans. Urban developments were carried out based on the two dimensional plans of zoning and master plans. 2.5 CONVENTIONAL PLAN MAKING AND REGULATORY MECHANISM Conventional Plan Formulation Process Conventional plan formulation process practiced in India is depicted in the Figure 2.6. The foremost step in plan formulation is the

11 19 identification of aim of the plan, which is generally a policy note by decision maker, based on the aspirations of people. Objectives are specific statements the ways and means of achieving the aim of the plan formulated. The next major step in plan formulation is the identification of projected requirements of various activities. Traditionally Town Planning departments are the nodal agency that collects and compiles the relevant information from various departments on their future plans. This process has not been effective and potent as the participation and coordination among the departments are very poor in nature (UDPFI 1996). Urban planner gather inputs from various departments prepare a future plan and this makes the role of planner to be crucial. In addition to the above information, plan formulation takes into consideration of planning theories and principles; planning tools and techniques; and norms and standards, followed by evaluation processes. A similar plan formulation process is practiced in Chennai and the growing metropolis is unable to keep pace with the developments in the provision of sustainable infrastructure to its population. The emergence of new economy bases demands a new approach from the traditional master planning tools and techniques to enable sustainable and equitable growth of Chennai. Though the earlier efforts of master plan yielded results in giving a strategic direction to the growth of the city, the new Master Plan must be reviewed for increased floor space index and density to cater to the growing demands of city. The conventional plan making process has many shortcomings such as, weak database for plan preparation, non-comprehensive and non-holistic nature of the plan, inadequate public participation, and lack of monitoring and implementation mechanism (Jauhari 2012).

12 20 Figure 2.6 Conventional plan formulation processes in practice, UDPFI-1996 (Source: UDPFI 1996) Conventional Regulatory Mechanism Zoning is a primary planning tool used to control the urban development in Indian cities, with a set of regulations which influences land use, density, form and volume (Fitzgerald 2008, Jothilakshmy 2011). It is one of the legal tools for governing the urban growth. Zoning brings orderliness in cities (Cullingworth & Caves 2008), effectively acts as design control tool (Cook, 1980) and also act as a legal mechanism for guiding land-use and protection of public health, welfare and safety (UDPFI 1996). Therefore zoning is a set of conditions (Pooni 1998), used for implementation of the

13 21 master plans or development plans and often it is considered as means of regulatory measure a city development agency holds. Zoning is governed by important parameters like land-use, bulk, height and form of the building (Cook, 1980). However, the conventional tools such as two-dimensional maps used for creating zoning regulations, fails to create a platform for understanding the existing development and the infrastructure in place (Zambuni 2013). In cities like Chennai, zoning is the primary planning tool used. Therefore, extensive understanding is required for urban planners on the impact of zoning regulations on city development. Planner for a better future is almost impossible with the current tools and techniques, which are primarily dependent on conventional 2D plans. 2.6 OVERLAPPING COMPETENCIES AND CLASH OF AUTHORITIES Chennai s governance is characterized by the role that state government agencies retain in the management of urban affairs. Apart from local governments, agencies like Public Work Departments (PWD), Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB), Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) etc., are involved in planning and management of urban services. Effective planning and management of urban services are practically challenging due to overlapping competencies and clash of authorities. 2.7 CONCLUSION In order to avoid the cities to become more and more unserviceable and unsustainable, urban planning and development agencies in India must embrace the advancement in planning tools and techniques. Creation of information rich city database with dynamic and static city models, along with cities essential data that needs everyday up gradation is one of the essential

14 22 steps suggested in this research. Urban planners will be able to plan more efficiently by using dynamic information system to the existing planning processes that focus on urban-related issues. Delhi has enacted Geo-spatial Data Infrastructure Act (2011) to create such a digital database. The database includes the entire physical infrastructure such as road, water supply, wastewater; electricity lines, etc., together with this 3D built-environment. An authoritative database of this kind is the need of the hour for cities like Chennai that will impede overlapping competencies and clash of authorities over their role in decision making, in addition to up-to-date information on city development.