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1 Introduction
1.1 Background 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:
The objective of the study is to develop a suitable mechanism for allocating suitable sites for schools, middle order hospitals and informal sector activities.
1.3 Methodology
The study involves:
Different software such as ARC/Info, ArcView, and AutoCAD Map are used for Map preparation, cleaning, building and analysis of the coverages (Themes).
1.4 Scope and Limitations
2 The Study Area
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.
2.1 Physical 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.
2.2 Existing and Proposed Land use
A Land Use Plan to implement various development activities is placed below.
Broad land use distribution is as follows:
Land Use allocation
3.1 Prevailing 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.
Table 1 Norms and standards followed for the study
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.
3.2 The 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.
3.3 The 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:
4.1.2 Norms for suitable Hospitals site
The criteria for middle order hospitals are:
4.1.3 Norms for suitable sites for Informal Sector activities
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:
The criteria for allocating suitable locations are:
5 Methodology and Analysis
5.1 Schools
Flow diagram for population estimation and requirement of facilities
Flow Diagram for suitable location for schools
5.2 Middle Order Hospitals
Although it is not possible to provide facilities in each sector (as required area varies with population), yet considering 750m reach as criterion, it is expedient to provide at least one site in areas having higher population density. Hence, plots of 200-2200 sqm. are delineated Where plot area is more, it shares requirements of adjacent sectors.
Flow Diagram for suitable location for middle order Hospitals
5.3 Informal Sector Activities
Flow Diagram for finding a suitable location for 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
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
Schematic Diagram I
Parameters for allocation of facility plot
(A conceptual model approach)
Objective approach for land use allocation using GIS techniques
Case study of Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
1 Introduction
1.1 Background 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:
- Assess total requirement for facilities mentioned below.
- Set up criteria for judicious site allocation.
- Identify such sites that serve project area homogeneously.
The objective of the study is to develop a suitable mechanism for allocating suitable sites for schools, middle order hospitals and informal sector activities.
1.3 Methodology
The study involves:
- Classification and assignment of Land uses as per Nodal Plan.
- Cleaning, building and assigning attributes to about 3000 polygons in project area.
- Preparing different coverages viz. Road network and Centerline map, Residential Lands, etc.
- Estimating final population likely to inhabit the township
- Assessing requirement for schools, middle order hospitals and informal sector activities.
- Stipulating criteria for selection of suitable sites.
Different software such as ARC/Info, ArcView, and AutoCAD Map are used for Map preparation, cleaning, building and analysis of the coverages (Themes).
1.4 Scope and Limitations
- Number of social facilities being too many, the study is limited to Schools, middle order hospital facilities and informal sector activities.
- The norms and standards adopted are those prevailing in the Corporation.
- All lands are in possession of the Corporation. Hence, land acquisition details are not considered.
- Certain sectors within the study area are not yet planned. Hence, analysis is limited by non-availability of detailed road network for these areas.
2 The Study Area
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.
2.1 Physical 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.
2.2 Existing and Proposed Land use
A Land Use Plan to implement various development activities is placed below.
Broad land use distribution is as follows:
Land Use allocation
3.1 Prevailing 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.
3.2 The 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.
3.3 The 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:
- One school/ 10,000 people
- Its area is between 3500 - 5000 sqm
- It would not be located within 120m, 100m and 70m respectively, of any state level, city, and nodal roads.
- Further, it would not be located within 100m distance of critical junctions, and within 50m buffer distance of this safe distance.
- Its service area would be 750m.
- It would be located next to playground/ garden plots (Proximity).
4.1.2 Norms for suitable Hospitals site
The criteria for middle order hospitals are:
- One Hospital/ Nursing home/ 25000 people.
- Its area would be 1500 sqm.
- There should be at least one such facility in each sector.
- For areas with < 25000 population, site area is calculated at 0.06 sqm/ person.
- Its service area would be 750m.
- High Density areas shall be accorded higher priority.
4.1.3 Norms for suitable sites for Informal Sector activities
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:
- Residential related: Inhabitants like to purchase bread, fruits, milk and other perishable items daily within walking distance.
- Commercial related: These small scale activities exist near similar large businesses; such as cloth vendors, radio/ TV repairs, bookstalls, fruit juice centers - requiring additional parking space like lay-byes.
- Institutional related: Hospitals, schools, colleges attract activities like bookstalls, stationary, juice centers.
- Recreational related: Vendors near cinema theatres, parks, gardens and tourist places - sell eatables, yet require temporary parking.
The criteria for allocating suitable locations are:
- Three to four stalls (10 sqm)/ 1000 people.
- Required area, as per sector population, ranges from 5 to 374 Sqm. However, limits are set as 100 - 400 Sqm.
- Requirement in higher residential density zones is accorded higher priority.
- Its service area is 750m.
- Additional parking space is calculated at 20% of actual requirement.
5 Methodology and Analysis
5.1 Schools
- The anticipated population is calculated as per FSI and built-up area, assuming average family size of 5 and dwelling unit of 55 sqm. (Flow-chart I).
- The land use plan is cleaned and topology is built.
- It is overlaid with sector plans for deriving sector level population.
- This is used to derive Gross and net density patterns, and requirement of schools/ sector.
- Schools being an institutional land use, all such plots of 3500-5000 sqm are selected.
- Specified buffer distances from identified critical junctions are provided for safety.
- Plots in buffer zone are eliminated to delineate suitable plots adjoining playgrounds/ gardens.
- Centrally located plots in each sector are selected to ensure schools serve entire area. Iteration is done to narrow down selected plots.
5.2 Middle Order Hospitals
- Repeat Step (i) to (iv).
- Sector-wise requirement is assessed to delineate plots of 250 - 2200 sqm.
- Centrally located plots amongst selected Plots falling within 750m in each sector are filtered.
- Plots serving study area uniformly are selected.
Although it is not possible to provide facilities in each sector (as required area varies with population), yet considering 750m reach as criterion, it is expedient to provide at least one site in areas having higher population density. Hence, plots of 200-2200 sqm. are delineated Where plot area is more, it shares requirements of adjacent sectors.
5.3 Informal Sector Activities
- Repeat Step (i) to (iv).
- Areas likely to attract informal sector activities as per land use zones are selected and classified.
- Net density plan and informal sector zone plans are overlaid with filtered site plan, for re-classification as high, medium and low requirement zones.
- Further, plan is analysed with reference to residential, commercial, institutional or recreational zone. More spaces/ locations are required in commercial and recreational zones.
- The density plan indicates that high-density areas are existing villages having medium income groups. Although stall requirement is more here, as they have existed longer, number of additional stall locations is lesser.
- Further, filtered plots are delineated as per sector requirement.
- The service area is considered as per population density and facility requirement. Demand for informal sector being low in lower density areas, their service area becomes higher. Iteration is done to narrow filtered locations so that area is uniformly serviced.
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
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
- Project Report of Kharghar, CIDCO
- Socio - Economic Report, Navi Mumbai, A survey conducted by CIDCO in the year 2000.
- Reconciliation of Norms and Standards, an unpublished document prepared by Planning and Architecture Dept., CIDCO.
Schematic Diagram I