Introduction
Urbanisation in the country, at 27.78 % in the year 2001, was low when compared to developed countries. But, the 28.53 Crores of urban population, living in 27 Metros, 396 cities and 4,738 towns was more than the total population of many developed countries. The trend in urbanisation continues. It is imperative to prepare development plans to guide the growth of urban areas in a planned manner. Development Plans need to be followed by Zonal Plans and thence by detailed plans at local level for implementation. Base maps scientifically prepared comprehensive and accurate at different scales are necessary for preparation and implementation of development plans. Development plans are the basis on which service providers plan, build and operate the services.
Objectives
Objectives of this paper is to highlight the needs of the physical planners for various types of topographical maps with cadastral information at larger scales for physical planning and development of urban areas and to drive the such need to the survey and mapping community.
Importance of development plans
Development plans are to guide the development of urban areas and their environs to address the needs and problems of:
- City planning and development,
- Transportation system and traffic management,
- Planning, development and managing the utilities - water supply, sewerage system, telephone system, electricity supply,
- Planning and development of civic amenities - schools, hospitals, shopping centres, etc.
- Protecting the assets of local authorities
- Monitoring property tax collection
- Monitoring sanitation, parks and playgrounds.
- Managing other services - emergency services, crime detection, etc.
Preparation of development plans for any urban area involves planning surveys for physical as well as socio-economic scenarios. The maps for socio-economic surveys, for analysis and to make projects for the plan horizon, may be 15 to 20 years, abstract maps at smaller scale will suffice. On the other hand, to study the anatomy of an urban area, including individual properties in all the lanes, scientifically prepared comprehensive and reliable maps at large scale, are essential.
Use of large-scale maps
Maps are not new to town planners and engineers. However, preparation and use of large-scale maps, especially for urban areas, is not as good as in developed and other developing countries. Maps are required by every Department/agency of the Union and State Governments having stake in development of urban area. Local authorities, public undertakings, service organisation require maps. However, the requirement of maps in terms of contents, quality and accuracy vary from organisation to organisation. Also, some organisations use maps every day while some use maps occasionally yet some others use maps once in a way (5 or 10 years).
It is important to note that all the agencies aforementioned and others do not need comprehensive map, i.e. all the information in map. In the myriad of agencies involved in planning and development of towns and cities it is the agencies responsible for planning for physical development, which need maps most. Municipal authorities rank second in use of maps - comprehensive maps are required for planning and execution of works by engineering department, maps of buildings/plots for taxation and election purposes.
The specific users and the quality and contents of the map may be as in Table 1.
Table 1: Map User by Intensity
| Sl. No. |
Type of maps andAgencies |
Daily basis |
Occasionally |
| |
FULL TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS |
|
|
| 1. |
Urban development authorities |
. |
|
| 2. |
Local authorities - Engineering and Health Departments |
. |
|
| 3. |
Power Transmission and distribution agencies |
. |
|
| 4. |
Agencies for Urban Water Supply and Drainage system |
. |
|
| 5. |
Bharath Sanchar Nigam for telecommunication |
. |
|
| 6. |
Public Works Departments |
|
. |
| 7. |
Central Public Works Department |
|
. |
| 8. |
Ministry of Surface Transport / National Highways Authority |
|
. |
| 9. |
Railways |
|
. |
| 10. |
Survey, Settlement and Land Records (City Survey) Department |
. |
|
| 11. |
Housing boards |
|
. |
| 12. |
Slum clearance boards |
. |
|
| |
SKELETAL MAPS |
|
|
| 1. |
Local authorities – Revenue Dept. |
|
. |
| 2. |
Agencies for city transport system |
. |
|
| 3. |
Fire Force |
. |
|
| 4. |
Education Department |
|
. |
| 5. |
Health Department |
|
. |
| 6. |
Police Department - Traffic & Law and Order |
. |
|
| 7. |
Postal Department |
. |
|
| 8. |
Election Commission |
|
. |
| 9. |
Census Commission |
|
. |
| 10. |
Railways |
|
. |