Town Planning Systems

1.1 The Challenge of Urbanization

India faces a truly formidable challenge in managing the rapid process of urbanization

and the growth of its cities. It is the second-most-populous country

in the world, with a population of 1.028 billion and, of this, 285 million (27.8

percent) live in its 5,161 cities and towns. Economic reform has given considerable

impetus to the process of urbanization, and it is expected that by 2050 half

of its population will be living in its cities and towns. This will mean that the

existing cities will continue to grow larger and many new cities and towns will

be added.

Pressures of rapid growth and years of neglect have severely stressed the

condition of India's cities and towns. This is evident in the innumerable challenges

facing them—large areas not serviced by roads, water supply, sewerage

and storm water networks, inadequate health and education amenities, traffic

congestion, ineffective and inadequate public transportation systems, unregulated

and chaotic growth, slums, poor building stock, destruction of heritage

resources, etc. All of these make India's cities and towns polluted, unlivable,

inefficient, and vulnerable to disasters.

Cities and towns are crucial to the economic well being of India. For this,

it is imperative that its cities and towns are transformed and pressures of new

growth are dealt with so that they are more livable, efficient, and environmentally

sustainable. Only then will the rapid pace of economic growth that India is

undergoing be sustained and the targets of environmental sustainability of the

world achieved.

1.2 The Need to Effectively Manage New Growth

To manage the transformation of India's cities and towns and effectively manage

new growth requires effective urban planning protocols, processes, and institutions

underpinned by effective legislation. Taking a viewpoint that distinctive

responses are required to transform the cities and towns from their present

stressed