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Overview |
Urban Sprawl |
Fringe Area Development |
Urban Agglomeration |
Emerging Technologies |
Relevant Links
Remote Sensing and G.I.S. for efficient Urban Planning
Urbanisation in India
The urban population of India has rapidly increased in recent years. In 1961 about 79 million persons lived in urban areas of the country, by 2001, their number had gone up to over 285 million, an increase of over 350 percent in the last four decades, which will increase to over 400 million by the year 2011 and 533 million by the year 2021. In 1991 there were 23 metropolitan cities which have increased to 35 in 2001.
Urbanization Trends in India 1951 – 2001
| Census |
Total Population(Million) |
Urban Population(Million) |
% of Urban populationto total Population |
Decadal Urban growth rate(percent) |
| 1951 |
361.08 |
62.44 |
17.29 |
- |
| 1961 |
439.23 |
78.93 |
17.97 |
26.41 |
| 1971 |
548.15 |
109.11 |
19.91 |
38.24 |
| 1981 |
683.32 |
159.46 |
23.34 |
46.15 |
| 1991 |
846.30 |
217.61 |
25.71 |
36.47 |
| 2001 |
1027.01 |
285.00 |
27.78 |
36.47 |
As a result, most urban settlements are characterised by shortfalls in housing and water supply, inadequate sewerage, traffic congestion, pollution, poverty and social unrest making urban governance a difficult task. Urban Local Bodies [ULBs] which are statutorily responsible for provision and maintenance of basic infrastructure and services in cities and towns are under fiscal stress. According to Census of India 2001, there are 5621 ULBs in the country classified into three major categories of municipal corporations (500), municipalities (50-500) and town committees (5-50) .
The 74 th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA74) mandates compulsory reconstitution of municipal bodies within a stipulated time-frame, thus ensuring continuity of local representatives. The twelfth schedule of the CAA74 has listed 18 functions and responsibilities to local bodies. These are :
- Urban planning, including town planning;
- Regulation of land use and construction of buildings;
- Planning for economic and social development;
- Roads and bridges;
- Water supply for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes;
- Public health, sanitation, conservancy, and solid waste management;
- Fire services;
- Urban forestry, protection of the environment, and promotion of ecological aspects;
- Safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, including the handicapped and mentally retarded;
- Slum improvement and up-gradation;
- Urban poverty alleviation;
- Provision of urban amenities and facilities such as parks, gardens, and playgrounds;
- Promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects;
- Burials and burial grounds; cremation grounds and electric crematoria;
- Cattle pounds, prevention of cruelty to animals;
- Vital statistics, including registration of births and deaths;
- Public amenities including street lighting, parking lots, bus-stop, and public conveniences;
- Regulation of slaughterhouses and tanneries.
Importantly the CAA74 expressly recognizes a role for the ULBs within the constitutional framework and provides for devolution of financial powers from the state government for strengthening of municipal finances. The CAA74 also provides for constitution of Ward Committees in municipalities with a population of more than 300 thousand, Metropolitan Planning Committees and District Planning Committees for consolidation and preparation of plans of spatial, economic and social development. From a "top down" approach, the emphasis has thus shifted to the" bottom up" approach. In view of the challenges facing by ULBs the planners have to prepare themselves for a new role and much wider responsibilities. As a bridge between the civil society and the politico-economic structure, the planner have to perform the role of the catalysts of change. With the ongoing globalization, economic liberalization and devolution of power to local bodies, gone are the days of armchair professionals.
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