How to Make Efficient Development Planning: A Critical Review of RUDA Development Plan

Abstract

Since the post-independence era, urban planning has been dominated by “Rational Planning” model, which has been practiced through preparation and implementation of master/development plan for smart growth and sustainable development of cities. As a resultant of this, urban planning has been deeply guided and monitored by public agencies through land use zoning and development control regulations. In India, urban development authorities have been given the responsibility for formulating development plan preparation for equitable distribution of resources and sustainable growth of urban centres. However, the idea of “Rational Planning” has been criticized for top-down approach and for being a highly centralised mechanism. Further, implementation of such master/development plan has always been the key challenge for urban managers. Further, it is being accused of too lengthy process starting from the preparation of the plans till its final sanction. Apart from these, various other reasons such as difference in land development mechanism, neglecting the unique socio-economic features of different spatial context has been identified as other key concern in this process. Keeping the above contestation in mind, this paper aims to work out the strengths and weaknesses of development planning to make efficient development planning procedure after reviewing proposals of 1998 and 2011 RUDA development plan. This paper also reviews planning policies with the use of software like GIS and use of planning techniques. Thus, this research work will present new ideas and techniques for enhancing the development plan making procedure through use of quantitative techniques and critical analysis of past spatial development of Rajkot city. City managers and urban development authorities will get an alternative methodology and framework for rational decision making process which is more efficient, accountable and deliverable under the present urban planning discourse.