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Developing tools for urban planning and environment management: A unique effort of an environmental NGO in Hyderabad

B V Subba Rao
Centre for Resource Education, 201, Maheshwari Complex
Masab Tank, Hyderabad 500 028 India

Introduction
Urbanization is inevitably linked with modern development, and as such is viewed by many as a necessary burden to carry. In fact, some see it as indicator for a scientific approach to human life, away from the rigid framework of traditional beliefs and customs. It is considered as an ideal place to live an independent life, offering enormous freedom to liberate one's mind. However, the daily drudgery of urban life in comparison is generally glossed over. If one studies the urban problems one cannot but conclude that in the name of development modern human being has spawned an urban culture, which at once strikes at the basic roots of existence and survival, though not direct always.

Scenario in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is one of the fastest growing cities - its population estimated at 2.2 million in 1981 has reached 5 million in 1992. This was the result of a host of changes in the socio-economic policies of the governments. Hyderabad is considered as a cosmopolitan city with its population as varied as Indian population. Equally, its problems are as varied.

It is generally a common notion that poverty forces people to migrate to cities in search of better employment opportunities. This is true. But it is largely unknown that even affluence is an equally strong reason for migration to cities. With social change, choice of professions is also changing. Affluence enables people to become doctors, engineers, etc. which earns them money and a social status.

However, poverty continues to be the main factor for rural-urban migration. Drought, floods, and vagaries of climate accentuate this situation. Ecological changes disturbed the hydro-geological cycle in several areas of Rayalaseema and Telangana regions. Cyclones and floods became the scourge of coastal areas. Natural disasters on a continuous basis weaken the resolve to live in these areas. Thus, poverty and affluence, illiteracy and education and degradation and nature, lack of opportunity, all cause urbanization.

Hyderabad has a growth rate exceeding 5 percent. In Andhra Pradesh, other cities like Vishakapatnam, Vijaywada, and Tirupathi, do not match this growth. There are several factors, which necessitated such a migration; categorized as `push' and `pull' factors. Push factors are those, which induce migration leaving the people no choice, but to emigrate to Hyderabad. There are pull factors even. Firstly, it is the seat of power structure. Secondly, it houses several industrial areas like Nacharam, Jeedimetla, Ramanthapur, Balanagar, Azamabad, Katedan, Moulali, Uppal, Cherlapalli, Patancheru, Bollaram and Saroornagar. Thirdly, it has become an important centre for national research organizations and institutes like CCMB, IICT, NGRI, NIN, NRSA, DRDO, DMRL, DLRL, National Police Academy, National Institute of Rural Development, etc. It also has several agricultural research institutions the biggest of them being the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), apart from the Agricultural University. Also, it has as many as six universities. Thus, Hyderabad `attracts' all sections of the society, and the unlimited scope for employment, real or perceived, has a magnetic effect.

This population shift resulted in enormous pressure for shelter and services fraying the infrastructure. This haphazard growth had its consequential effects on the communities, and the community values. Law and order is the first casualty. Many of the problems are linked to inappropriate patterns of industrial development and the disjointedness between strategies for agricultural and urban development.

Traffic congestion, housing, road conditions, pollution, unemployment, crime and violence: all of them are interrelated as if there is a network of problems, balancing and perpetuating each other. There is as yet no study to identify the reasons for traffic congestion, and the necessary mitigation measures. But, generally, the failure of mass transporting units like buses and trains in easing the problem owing to different factors had led to the above-mentioned problems.

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