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December 2002 |
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Directions for GIS in Urban Planning
Observed Constraints
A review of the attempts made for introducing GIS based urban planning practices brings forth a set of problems common across our planning organisations. They are highlighted below.
Technical
- Lack of appropriate base maps necessary for micro-level and utility planning.
- Difficulty in correlating remote sensing data with corresponding cadastre information.
- Limitation on availability and digitisation of certain data products.
Financial
- Inadequate funds to acquire and upgrade periodically the hardware and software.
- Absence of provision for repair and maintenance service due to which upkeep of hardware suffers.
- Inability to procure digital data products and carry out surveys for collection of attribute data.
Institutional
- Absence of a dedicated team that would continue for a reasonable period to establish GIS database.
- Tendency to hold on to information due to which GIS database creation cost is not shared.
- Lack of support to young GIS professionals by the peers who feel threatened.
- Rigidity in work culture not encouraging experimentation that is so vital for GIS implementation.
Most of these problems have their origins in the fact that urban planning falls under the public sector namely; State Government and Urban Local Bodies whose limited financial resources and capacity to innovate do not help the cause of the GIS. However, of late, various schemes of the Government of India, promotion of public-private sector joint ventures and interest shown by many international agencies for collaboration in the field of geo-informatics are bringing about some change in the situation. Since the problems are identified it would not be imposible to overcome them, especially since the power of GIS and remote sensing in the field of urban planning is well recognised.
Looking Further
Development Plan or Master Plan for a given area is prepared for 15-20 year period. Its review is usually made after say, 5 or 10 years after the sanction. Obviously, plan preparation or its revision is not a frequent exercise. Nevertheless, the database organised under GIS can prove useful for many allied urban planning and management activities as outlined below.
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