Urban PlanningDevelopment Plan Monitoring: To assess the
implementation of development plan for a city or town, GIS is found quite
useful. For instance, a prototype GIS based monitoring system for Greater Mumbai
Development Plan: 1981-2001 is prepared. Four Development Plan Sheets (1:4,000
scale) are digitised and joined. The following coverages are created and linked
with the corresponding attribute data:
- Land-use zones marked for residential, commercial, industrial, open spaces,
water bodies and other uses.
- Reservations for different facilities, both existing and proposed.
- Existing and proposed roads.
- Select development permissions in a residential zone.
A number
of management information reports can therefore be produced to review the status
of reservations and implementation of development permissions. Identification of
potential traffic congestion points and assessment of demand for utility
services and public amenities is simplified by such a system. Tracking of
building permissions granted in each locality is thus possible and the database
can be further utilised for property tax management.
Dombivali Water
supply:Water distribution is one basic utility in whose planning,
maintenance and management GIS is of significant assistance. This is seen from a
study undertaken for water distribution system for the town of Dombivali in MMR.
Relevant land-use map and water distribution network map at 1:2,000 scale are
digitized. Built-up areas are stored as polygons, water pipes as arcs and
elevated service reservoirs (ESR) and nodes as points. Attribute data like
population, water demand, pipe diameter, length, material, date of installation
and augmentation, height and capacity of ESR and so on, are attached to
respective spatial unit.
The data have been extensively queried under
ARC View module of the PC ARC/INFO software. An Information system of this kind
would be useful for supporting managerial functions like preparing maintenance
schedule, water supply routing decisions and evaluating the network upgradation
options.
Bandra-Kurla Complex: MMRDA is appointed as a Special
Planning Authority of this area for planning and development. The total area of
the complex is 370 ha. and is divided in different blocks for planning purpose.
The GIS provides a suitable framework for estate management. Figure 2 shows the
proposed plan for G and GN blocks where an International Finance and Business
Centre (IFBC) is being developed. The demarcated plot is kept as polygon.
Attribute data such as floor area, FSI, Allottee, date of sale, price, land-use,
estimated population and employment, etc are attached to each of the polygon.
The data could be queried and progress reports on the disposed off plots in a
variety of ways could be generated. Information on utilities such as water
supply, drainage, gas supply, telecommunication, etc are being organised in the
GIS environment.
Town Planning Scheme: Government of Maharashtra
appointed a committee to formulate model legislation to modify the MRTP Act,
1966 with reference to Town planning Schemes (TPS) and Transfer of Development
Rights (TDR). A study area of about 6 ha. in Vile Parle, a suburb of Mumbai, is
taken for this purpose. The cadastral map and the proposed layout of the given
area are digitised at 1:1,000 scale as polygons. Using the overlay techniques,
the old and final plot areas have been demarcated as shown in Figure 3. Maps and
statistics supplied to the committee for framing the suitable policy.
Other Applications To demonstrate the diverse use and the
capabilities of GIS to the local authorities, the following pilot applications
have been made:
- Greater Mumbai water supply network study at 1:500 scale for the selected
area in ‘C’ ward
- Detailed floorwise existing land-use and network analysis for 1 sq.km. area
around Kalyan station at 1:2,500 scale using aerial photographs
- Evaluation of the remaining potential for solid waste disposal sites at
Deonar and Gorai in Greater Mumbai at 1:1,000 scale
- Analysis of air pollution data and estimation of population exposed to SO2,
NOX, SPM for the year 1992-93 for Greater Mumbai at 1:50,000 scale
- Preparation of existing land-use and estimation of run-off for the heritage
site Gharapuri (Elephanta) Island using aerial photograph, topo-sheet and
satellite imagery at 1:10,000 scale
- Analysis of Mumbai’s property price data and FSI consumption for the year
1995 at 1:50,000 scale
- Preparation of rehabilitation and resettlement programme for the
encroachments in Bandra-Kurla Complex at 1:1,000 scale
Current
Applications In the draft Regional Plan for MMR (1996-2011), it is
proposed to build a Regional Information System within MMRDA where the
spatial and related attribute data would be organised and shared with the
local authorities, planning agencies and other institutions working in the
region. In this direction, procurement of the IRS-1C satellite imagery at
1:50,000 scale (LISS-III data) and at 1:12,500 scale (PAN data) is
completed. These data are being processed for updating the existing
land-use and other developments taking place in the region. For instance,
the work is in progress to build a completely codified and digitised
transport network for entire MMR using the above data. Recently
commissioned study to carry out mapping of the ecological sensitive
mangrove plantation areas in outer MMR and building a database is another
application.
Conclusion On the basis of the experiences stated above
it emerges that RS and GIS technologies offer tremendous advantage in carrying
out land-use planning and management activities across the board. Technological
advances are bound to increase the scope for applications. Requisite hardware,
software, trained manpower and organisational support are however necessary for
deriving the maximum benefit from these technologies in the field of regional
and urban planning. Planning practices in India would be improved with the
large-scale adoption of these technologies is our belief.
Note
:Views expressed here are those of the authors alone and not of the MMRDA.
Authors Dr. V. N. Patkar is working as an Operations
Research Specialist in MMRDA since 1979 and is involved of O. R. techniques and
GIS for urban planning and management. He has co-authored four books and has
published over 100 research papers in the areas of urban planning, transport,
telecommunications, O. R. and computer applications, mathematical programming
and technology management.
D. Sampath Kumar is working as a planner in
MMRDA since 1986. Design and implementation of the GIS for urban planning and
management for Mumbai Metropolitan Region is his principal responsibility. He
has co-authred 20 papers in the areas of remote sensing and GIS for urban and
regional planning.