Contents
Introduction
UN projects 50% of India will be urban by 2047, contributing nearly 75% of GDP. Restricting planning to land-use undermines economic dynamism, climate resilience, and livability—critical for achieving Viksit Bharat.
How land-use–centric planning restricts India’s growth
- No linkage with economic vision: Master Plans largely focus on zoning and permissible land use. Cities are treated as physical spaces, not as economic growth hubs. Example: Most Master Plans do not assess economic drivers or job-creation potential, violating the idea of strategic spatial planning advocated by UN-Habitat.
- Ignores rapid demographic and employment transitions: Urban population increases by 25–30 million yearly (MoHUA). Current planning extrapolates past growth trends rather than projecting jobs-driven migration.
- Neglect of natural resource and carrying-capacity constraints: Cities like Bengaluru and Chennai face severe groundwater depletion (NITI Aayog Composite Water Index Report). Land-use planning ignores resource budgeting, leading to water scarcity, flooding, and heat islands.
- Fragmented planning within municipal boundaries: Urban expansion occurs beyond municipal limits—metros now spill into peri-urban regions. Lack of metropolitan governance leads to duplication of infrastructure and unplanned growth (case: Gurugram).
- Environmental degradation and poor mobility outcomes: Transportation contributes 40% of particulate pollution in urban India (CSE). Master Plans miss Comprehensive Mobility Plans, climate resilience pathways, and environmental risk assessments.
Thus, a zoning mindset results in spatial growth without economic or ecological strategy.
Why a holistic planning approach is essential for Viksit Bharat (2047)
A modern planning paradigm must integrate the following pillars:
| Element of Holistic Planning | Strategic Outcome |
| Economic planning + job mapping | Aligns cities with national GDP and employment goals. |
| Natural resource budgeting & climate action plans | Ensures resilience and reduces vulnerability (SDG-11). |
| Comprehensive mobility planning | Reduces congestion, emissions; promotes TOD, NMT. |
| Regional planning beyond city limits | Enables industrial expansion into smaller towns; supports Make in India. |
| Data-driven governance (GIS, digital twins) | Real-time service delivery, predictive management. |
Case studies demonstrating holistic success
- Ahmedabad BRTS (Janmarg): Integrated mobility planning → increased modal shift to public transport, reducing congestion & pollution.
- Indore Waste Management Model: Zero-landfill approach using PPP + behavioral nudges; ranked India’s cleanest city (Swachh Survekshan).
- Singapore Urban Planning Model Resource budgeting + mixed-use planning + transit-oriented development (TOD) → top global liveability index.
- Delhi NCR Regional Plan (NCRPB): Planning at regional scale enabled Noida–Gurugram industrial corridors.
These examples demonstrate that planning for economy + ecology + equity drives sustainable development.
The Way Forward: Reforms Needed
- Shift from zoning-based land-use → strategic economic and ecological planning.
- Mandate City Economic Vision Papers before Master Plans (as recommended by NITI Aayog Urban Strategy 2047).
- Integrate urban mobility, climate action, natural resource budgeting into planning statutes.
- Build a new cadre of urban planners, climate economists, GIS experts—aligning education to future needs.
- Strengthen Metropolitan Planning Committees (Article 243ZE) for interdepartmental coordination.
Conclusion
Cities thrive when planning nurtures people and markets. A holistic urban strategy is indispensable for a Viksit Bharat.
