Objective approach for land use allocation using GIS techniques Case study of Kharghar, Navi Mumbai K V R K Ravi Kumar Senior Planner, City & Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), Navi Mumbai, India, 400 614 E-mail: ravikumar.kvrk@cidcoindia.com  K Priya Abstract Urban Planning in India has gathered momentum in the last decade. 30% more area is now under urbanization, as compared to last decade. With growth of urban areas, the need and demand for physical and social infrastructure has also increased tremendously. The onus of providing these facilities lies with the Local Authorities and Urban Development Authorities. In most cases, the Development Plans are prepared as per stipulated norms. However, market forces determine the location of different landuse. Social facilities, such as educational, health, socio-cultural, institutional purposes, are hence often consigned to inappropriate locations. Thus, their purpose of catering to the targeted population judiciously and efficiently is not met. A logical and objective-oriented approach, therefore, needs to be adopted for allocating appropriate locations to these social facilities. An attempt is made to allocate judicious locations by using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Map preparation, cleaning, building and analysis of the coverages (themes) is carried out by use of different software such as ARC/Info, Arc View, and AutoCAD Map etc. 1 Introduction 1.1Background Urban Planning in India, as in entire Asia, has gained momentum in the last decade. 30% more area is urbanized now. Improved quality of life calls for better physical and social infrastructure. The onus of providing these facilities rests upon the Local and Urban Development Authorities. Although Development Plans for urban areas are prepared according to stipulated Norms, market forces determine locations for different land uses. Social facilities, such as educational, health, socio-cultural or institutional are hence consigned to inappropriate locations. Eventually, their objective of serving the targeted population efficiently is defeated. An objective approach, therefore, needs to be adopted for earmarking appropriate locations for these social facilities. This paper attempts to do so using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), a Govt. of Maharashtra undertaking, is the Planning and Development Authority for Navi Mumbai (Bombay), across Thane Creek on the mainland, as a counter magnet to Greater Mumbai (Bombay). In order to develop the new city, CIDCO is implementing various projects using innovative approaches. 1.2 Aims and Objectives This study aims to:
1.3 Methodology The study involves:
1.4Scope and Limitations
Navi Mumbai (erstwhile New Bombay), envisaged as a self-sufficient city on the mainland to decentralize Mumbai (Bombay), is planned as a series of nodal concentrations along mass-transport corridors. When fully built, it is expected to have 14 such nodes (Townships) providing about 0.75 million jobs and housing 2 million people. So far, a population of about 1.2 million is reached, with some nodes being fully developed while others are in various stages of development. Kharghar is a developing node, reaching about 40% of its anticipated development, finally to house 0.5 million people. It borders National Highway (NH4) and Taloje Industrial Estate on the east, with hills on its north and northwest. The Central Business District (CBD) lies to its southwest. One arm of Panvel Creek forms its southeast boundary. The Sion-Panvel Expressway on its south links Kharghar to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The NH4 links it to Thane and Kalyan, peripheral towns to Greater Mumbai. Additionally, a railway line connects it to the main commuter network to Greater Mumbai. The climate in Navi Mumbai is temperate and humid. The annual rainfall of about 2440 mm occurs mainly between June to October, heaviest rainfall being in September (33 percent of total rainfall). The predominant wind direction is from the northwest quadrant. 2.1Physical Characteristics The site spreads over 1700 Ha, (7 km in north south and 5 km in east west) between the hills and the creek. Of this, approximately 70 Ha (< 5%) is non-developable because of water bodies and existing villages in twelve settlements, having population of about 20,000. One third (about 500 Ha.) is almost flat with a slope of 1 in 200 to 250. The slopes beyond are interspersed with drainage paths. Areas close to Creek are low-lying and submerged by tidal water. The present land use and land cover patterns are determined using remote sensing techniques. 2.2Existing and Proposed Land use A Land Use Plan to implement various development activities is placed below.  Broad land use distribution is as follows:
3 Land Use allocation 3.1Prevailing procedure At present, land requirement for various facilities is based on prevailing norms and standards, and their required number is calculated as per target population.
However, site allocation is purely demand-based, despite reservation. Hence, the facilities are unevenly distributed and some locations have more than two schools in close vicinity. Hence, although the requirement is served, service remains skewed. 3.2The Issue The objective of allocating a facility plot is to serve the public. Hence, although location of a facility is a function of service area and population, when market forces determine its location, the purpose is defeated. Thus, it is necessary to fix criteria and apply rationale for selection of suitable sites for each facility. 3.3The task at hand Kharghar is being developed on virgin lands as per a broad land use plan. It is thus possible to exercise discretion for allocating/ reserving sites for various social facilities, while there are available vacant plots. Hence, it is necessary to assess the requirement and suitable locations for facility plots as per a formulated methodology. 4 Application of GIS techniques 4.1 An objective approach Parameters to assess proximity of facilities and their accessibility involve location, service area, network etc. A single plot entity possesses many attributes, such as land use, ownership, land registration, date of agreement etc. Error is likely while assimilating and processing large amount of data. Hence, linking of non-geographic information with spatial data facilitates instantaneous retrieval. This is crucial to identify suitable lands for various purposes, by following objective approach and selection criteria, described below. 4.1.1 Norms for suitable School sites The criteria for secondary schools are:
The criteria for middle order hospitals are:
Informal Sector comprises small-scale business activities serving daily requirements. Vendors occupy strategic locations having more public interaction and movement. Often, they are unauthorised and occupy footpaths, parking areas and other public places. Thus, there is need to plan for these vendors, simultaneously generating revenue for local authorities. The area of a stall may range from 2 - 5 sqm. Based on its activity and location, stalls may be classified into four categories, namely:
5.1 Schools
Flow Diagram for suitable location for schools 
5.2 Middle Order Hospitals
Flow Diagram for suitable location for middle order Hospitals 
5.3 Informal Sector Activities
6 Conclusions and Recommendations 6.1 Conclusions Lack of certain data like road network for developable areas proved a constraint for extracting suitable plots and carrying network analysis. Hence, 500 sqm is considered as margin for filtering plots. Further, identified school locations are lesser than the actual requirement because plots are not available as per sector requirements. Specific criteria of schools being away from critical junctions and major roads are considered for suitable locations. However, sites may be located on sector or nodal roads, keeping specified safe distances. As far as middle order hospitals are concerned, the norm specifies 1500 sqm for 25,000 population. However, it is impractical to follow these norms, considering presumed service area. Hence, 0.06 sqm/ person is used to calculate sector requirement so that smaller plot may be provided for sectors with high densities. Finally, the approach for planning informal sector activities involves classification of entire area based on type of business. Although actual stall requirement in some areas may remain same, it is subject to change for different zones, as more business attracts more parking demand. Hence, 20% additional area is reserved in such activity zones. Population density varies over different sectors. Requirement of facilities in sectors with no residential activity is minimal. However, considering recreational potential or intensive commercial and institutional use in these sectors, stalls are provided at suitable locations. 6.2 Concept model for allocation of facility plot Allocation of facility plot is demand-based and subjective, having no mathematical mechanism. It depends on population composition, location of land use zone, service area etc. Refer Schematic diagram I. An attempt to establish a conceptual relation between the above parameters is shown below: 
Where: Pd = Population (or Net Population Density) of area where facility is to be located Pc = Population Composition for a locality Td = Travel distance to nearest facility Sa = Service area, served by facility plot Lz = Land use zone, where facility is located Ll = Land use adjacent to facility plot Hi = Hierarchy of facility to be provided, whether local, town or city level La = Land availability Lp = Land Price Plot allocation is a subjective function of Ps, public psychology and Ci, convenience. Due weightage needs to be assigned to above parameters to derive a mathematical equation, conducting field survey, if necessary. An iteration process may be applied to finalise site among filtered locations. However, centrally located plots, based on practical experience, are selected for service area analysis, to ensure that the plots serve the area uniformly. High Density areas are preferred for providing facility plots. To conclude, it may be said that subjectivity arising out of multiplicity of parameters necessitates closer scrutiny. A concept model is suggested for allocation of facility plot considering various parameters. It is necessary to develop the model and assign weightage to each of these parameters. Since parameters are subjective and depend on local requirements, these may vary with location,. 6.2 Recommendations Iteration should be applied to finalise a site among filtered locations. There are no adequately sized plots for informal sector. Required number of plots is carved. Sites and locations identified by analysis need to be located in developed areas and earmarked in developing areas. Further, these sites may be developed based on specified requirement categories, i.e. High, medium or low, to meet public demands appropriately. The concept model discussed above is rudimentary, based on preliminary examination of facts. This study need to be further elaborated to make it workable. Bibliography / References
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