PRETAB Planning Model: Local Information Infrastructure (LII) as DSS for Local-level Urban Planning

Ayon K TarafdarAssociate Professor, Dr.Department of Urban PlanningSchool of Planning and Architecture: Vijayawada(MHRD, Govt of India)

OutlineMunicipal planning in Indiathe potential and profile of an (unnoticed) sectorULBs and the notion of non-spatial planning the fallacy and shortcomingsGeospatial tools for municipal planningan issue of sectoral offerings and approachA way forwardThe PRETAB planning model (NTNU-Norway-SPAV research assignment)

Urbanization in IndiaSource: Census of India19 urban%35% urban40% urbanNational PopulationNational Urban Population

ULBs and MetropolitansIn 1991 there were 23 metropolitan cities, which increased to 35 in 20012011, there are estimated 41 metro citiesIn 1991, there were 2562 urban local bodies (ULBs), which increased to 3255 by 2001It is estimated that by the year 2011, urban areas would contribute about 65 % of GDP3255 ULBs in India? Notified Area (319) Town Nagar Panchayat (453) Town Area Committee (620)Municipality(1290) Municipal Council (32) Municipal Committee (233) Municipal Board (253)Municipal Corporations(55)

National Commission on Urbanisation 1985NCU, Vol. II, Map 477 NPCs

252 SPCsNational Commission on Urbanisation 1985NCU, Vol. II, Map 5

49 SPURsNational Commission on Urbanisation 1985NCU, Vol. II, Map 6

Understanding the local mandate74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA74, 1993) accorded constitutional status to ULBsmandated ULBs with the role of preparing spatial, economic and social development plansCAA74 - SchdXII: accords 18 key planning functions for ULBs Regulation of land use and building constructionWater supply (domestic and commercial)Roads and bridgesPublic health, sanitation and solid waste managementSlum improvement and up-gradationParks, playgrounds, water bodies, etcPlanning for trade, commerce and economic development

This meansEach ULB needs to prepare a municipal/town development plan (10-15 year vision) addressing each sector (18), through:Strategizing, phasing, projectizing, and evolving implementation plansLeading to 5 Year Plans and Annual Plans; and subsequent project plans

Do we have enough (3255)Town Development Plans currently?What does this plan- making mean, financially?

Understanding the potentialFor almost 10 years, there were no municipal spatial plan, which got approved, after CAA74 in 1993Led to launch of National Urban Information System (NUIS), 2006Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), 2005

NUISPreparation of GIS database by NMA in coordination with State Govts.137 towns and cities11.78 crore populationRs. 66.28 croresJNNURMPreparation of City Development Plan (CDPs), and DPRs65 towns and cities12.06 crore populationRs. 50,000 crores

Understanding the potentialThe status / outcome as on 2010:27 CDPs have been completed; rest underwayNone of the CDPs are statutory plansAbout 43 NUIS town database completed; rest underwayNone of this finds reference in CDPs or Municipal Plans

About 11 Municipal Corporations out of 55 have an approved planAbout 45 municipalities out of 1700 have an approved plan

Other issues with the CDPs and NUISCDPs and NUIS dataNon-Statutory documentsNot necessarily certified by professional plannersNot as per UDPFI/ ITPI guidelinesNo plan-period specifiedNon-spatial approach to development (lacks land use plan and control, land suitability analysis, and other spatial aspects)NUIS data not streamlined for urban planningAttribute developed as per available data with census and NMAs and not development agencies

Which meansWe do not have plans for almost 96% of our constitutionally empowered 3255 ULBs, since CAA74 in 1993 (17 years)Municipal plans are directly linked to municipal budgets and projects, yet plans not readyEvery municipal body continues to have annual budgets, projects and functions, without a local vision or development plan Projects are allocated on a top-down fashion, as earlier, based on district and state economic plansDoes this show a way?

Understanding the Need/PotentialEstimated annual avg. municipal budget is INR 200 crores (for a medium sized municipality)Roughly 10% is allocated for plan-making - INR 20 crores JNNURM allocates around INR 50 crores for CDP preparationA development planning assignment by a public planning body is estimated to be of around 30 crores (including primary survey), that can be sanctioned from State Planning BoardEstimated funding available for plan-making = INR 100 crores per municipalityEquivalent to a potential market of INR 300,000 crores (referring to only plan-making for 3000 ULBs)

Understanding the Need/PotentialAssuming 20% to be spent on data assimilation and creation of GIS = INR 20 crores per municipalityEquivalent to a potential market of INR 6000 crores for geospatial enablement in plan-making

What stops us from acting?

Notional Roadblocks Planning without informationPlanning without planners

Geospatial element left out to mapping and creation of thematic maps, and databases onlyNone of the current municipal plans utilize geospatial tools in its analytical frame Geospatial tools continue to address municipal planning and services at the sectoral level.

The sectoral approachGeospatial CanvassSectoral utilityDesign and Engg.Infrastructure, utilities & services, construction, network planning etcMappingCartography, thematic representation, delineationTerrain and 3DTerrain modelling, defense, urban designWhile each of these are formidable tools, they remain potent at the application stage of project implementation within sectors.What then, can be more appropriate for planners?

PRETAB Planning ModelNeed to inculcate the role of geospatial sciences at the plan making level, particularly land use controlNeed for a simplified platform for that assists in creation of spatial development plans leading to further sectoral projects.Platform need three main tenets:Proactivity (geospatial expert enabled)Reflectivity (planner and local stakeholder enabled)Incrementalism (system enabled)

Proactive Module: Spatial & temporal information systems handling quantitative data structuresCapacity to simulate, and analyse inter-sectorallyInculcates role of experts

Reflective Module:Non-spatial information analytics; Livelihood analysis, socio-economic profiling, stakeholder mapping, fishbone mapping, qualitative data structures, etcInculcates role of local people

Incremental Module: Ability to add and delete components of analysis and data structure to the system as required by a specific context and user

A PRETAB Planning Process ModelLocal Information InfrastructureLIIComponent A)Proactivity ModuleComponent B)Environmental ModuleComponent C)Territorial ModuleComponent D)Action ModuleUser-defined InputDynamic exerciseUser-defined AnalysisUser-defined Output

A PRETAB Planning Process ModelUnder development by NTNU-Norway & SPAV

Ending thoughtsThere is dearth of technology and human capacityThere is no dearth of funds and resourcesThere is no dearth of need and rationale

What we need is Appropriate vision, appropriate applications/tools, and appropriate intervention.

Thank you(ayon.tarafdar@spav.ac.in / aktarafdar@yahoo.com)

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