INTRODUCTION TO TOWN PLANNING
What is planning? Definition of planning is subjective It is considered a science and art. It is pre-thinking and pre-arranging things. Planning is a future-oriented problem solving process. It is a way of thinking about social and economic problems It is concerned with the relation of goals to collective decisions and strives for comprehensiveness in policies and programs (freidman) It is the link between technical knowledge and action in the public domain. An orderly sequence of activities that will lead to the accomplishment of stated goals
What is town planning? It is the art and science of organizing land use and siting of buildings and communication routes to provide best possible degree of economy, beauty and convenience in terms of the available resources and time. It is the organization of all elements of a town or other urban environment Town planning integrates land use and other managerial aspects of settlements to improve the economic and social environments of communities and achieving health, beauty, convenience, preservation and sustainability.
Town planning -aims Production of the guidelines dictating the course of development of a city or town Improve built environment Preserve the best features of our environment for benefit of future generations cultural and historical preservation environmental conservation Fulfill social and economic needs of population and nations Reduce poverty and inequality in development Health, beauty, convenience, comfort and security
Urban planning Similar to town planning but done on a much larger scale An urban environment is one in which natural environment is dominated by the man made environment A city is a large human settlement, a town is a mid sized human settlement Economic base and infrastructure are also used to define whether a human settlement is a city, town or village.
Elements of a city Transportation and communication routes Buildings; public, commercial, residential, recreational, educational, industrial, military, government Urban agriculture, vegetation
Why urban/town planning is needed? Urbanization is increasing Population is growing. Planning is needed to make better use of resources Social inequality Realizing a settlement s economic potential by overcoming weaknesses such as: Lack of innovative urban development vision Lack of coordination between departments responsible for urban development Unsustainable development Environmental Degredation Corrupt and poorly managed Urban governance institutions
Why urban/town planning is needed? Facing new socio-economic and climatic challenges: Urban security Public Health and Safety Financial crises Global Warming and climate change Social changes
Outcome of planning = plan A plan is a diagram or a list of steps or activities or actions The steps must be performed within the allotted or available time and resources The performance of the steps leads to the fulfillment of objectives or goals The plan is like a compass which helps in following the course of development A successful plan is based on thorough and accurate research
Levels of Urban Planning Local/District short or medium term development of a town Regional medium term development focusing on solving problems with regional dimensions National economic and long term development for national interests
How town planning provides health? Regulating and reducing pollutions of different kinds air, noise, water Providing open spaces such as parks for public use Water and waste treatment facilities Use of renewable technologies for provision of electricity Providing pathways that encourage walking and reduce the use of vehicles that use non renewable fuels Implementation of environmental protection laws Proper disposal of waste
What does beauty and convenience mean? Convenience is understood in the form of various economic, social and recreational amenities to be given to the public Provision of jobs, provision of places for social gatherings, provisions of basic infrastructure facilities such as electricity, water, sewerage system, roads Beauty means to preserve the aesthetic in the design of all elements of the town or city plan. Beauty is achieved by taking the best possible advantages of the natural conditions.
Principles of town planning No Haphazard methods of planning are to be employed Fulfillment of basic needs such as housing is necessary for all levels of society Provision of basic infrastructure facilities or civic amenities Provision of open spaces Accessibility ( modes of transportation rail, road, air, water) Proper systems of zoning to be implemented Provision of green belts to control future growth of a city and prevent environmental degredation
Goals vs Objectives GOALS OBJECTIVES Goals are defined in general terms Specific in nature Long term Short or medium term May not be measurableand are not tangible Can be measuredor be tangible
Forms of planning Land use planning Physical planning Allocative planning Imperative planning Indicative planning
Land use planning Exercise in public policy that designates and regulates the use of land Outcome is a plan or document that outlines: Allocation and zoning of land based on the nature of use Regulation measures for the intensity of use Formulation of legal and administrative devices for supporting and implementing the plan
Physical planning It is the planning of an area s physical structures or infrastructure e.g. communication and transportation facilities, municipal utilities etc. It is concentrated on local or regional level. It uses the land use plan as a framework for optimal development of physical infrastructure in an area
Allocative planning It is a kind of regulatory planning. It is concerned with the resolution of conflicts through evolving policies to ensure efficiency of an existing system It is concerned with coordination among different components of a system.
Indicative planning It is concerned with the implementation of planning or plans It lays down general guidelines for implementation It is advisory in nature Imperative planning Also concerned with implementation of plans It is more guided and involves specific directives
What do planners do? Devise land use Address transportation and infrastructure requirements Planning social and community services Creating economic capacity in local communities Working internationally Involves: Politicians, developers, architects, engineers, citizens
Urban planning devices Development plans Zoning regulations Building regulations Environmental protection laws Conservation areas Enforcements