Aha! The key essence of this series of articles. The objectives and introduction to proposed hierarchical spatial planning framework. And of course, links to details. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

The key challenges as discussed in the previous chapter along with their spatial-temporal visualisation has enable us to understand the aim of a proposed policy. A proposed land use planning policy for a state in India should ideally aim to provide a strategic framework to spatial integration of environmental, economic, social development initiatives in the state. This framework should be addressable at all levels of governance, with a view to achieving sustainable growth, equitable access to resources and conflict-free land use management.

The objectives may include:

• Strengthen existing three tier hierarchical spatial planning framework in terms of
  • State Spatial Strategy
  • Framework for Regional Strategic Planning
  • Framework for Settlement Level Land Use Planning (both urban and rural)
• Prioritisation of areas for
  • Conservation of environment, natural resources and heritage
  • Promotion of Economic Development (primary, secondary and tertiary sectors)
  • Balancing Spatial Equities in Society
• Advocate formulation of a wholistic guided urbanisation strategy
• Evolve and strengthen the Institutional, Coordination and Implementation Mechanisms for Land Use Planning and Management with due consideration to strategic interests and projects/developments of national importance, (defence, internal security and others).

Hierarchical Spatial Framework

We have seen that land is a finite resource. We have also observed the competing and often conflicting demands for land for economic and social needs in the development sector as well as natural environment. World over, integrated spatial land use planning is known to result in accrued benefits leading to sustainable development that finds the right balance between socio-economic aspects and the environmental considerations. It is imperative that an effective hierarchical spatial planning framework be put in place to ensure judicious use of land that promotes balanced economic development and conserves environment, resources, and heritage, while minimising socio-economic conflicts and achieving sustainability.

To cope with the dynamics and pace of development in each state, its’ existing three tier hierarchical spatial planning framework needs to be strengthened by preparing strategic spatial plans (at each level of governance) for a plan period of 10 to 20 years with a provision of revision every 5 years. Let us consider a plan period of 15 years.

The three-tier hierarchical spatial planning framework should ideally comprise of:

State Spatial Strategy

A ‘State Spatial Strategy’ in the form of a spatial plan in a scale range of 1:500,000 to 1: 200,000 (depending on size of state). The spatial strategy should formulate the spatial goals and strategies of the state along with a vision that guides and reflects overall development initiatives in the state. Such a spatial strategy shall give due consideration to environment (forests and protected areas, ecologically sensitive areas, waterbodies, etc.), economy (agriculture, industries, mines, tourism, infrastructure etc.), social development (settlement hierarchy for both urban as well as rural areas, disaster and socially vulnerability) and strategic interests and developments of national importance.

The spatial strategy shall provide for state priorities with multi-layered spatial plan. The boundaries demarcated for each priorities would essentially be for guiding purposes. If a part of the state is demarcated for one priority sector, it does not mean, other sectors cannot function there. In fact, the multi layered nature of the spatial strategy means than any part or area of the state may have more than one priorities also. Furthermore, the boundaries should not be considered statutory, they should be considered dynamic and reviewed during every plan review. The boundaries and priorities should be demarcated to encourage focus and streamlining of planning, investment, implementation and management for each sector.

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Framework for Regional Spatial Strategy and Planning

A ‘Framework for Regional Spatial Strategy and Planning’ providing for strategic spatial plans (Regional Plans) for delineated administrative and/or functional regions and sub-regions. These strategic spatial plans should be prepared under the states’ Town and Country Planning Act. If regional planning provisions are not available, the act should be considered for amendments, or better still, a new revised act with updated details should be prepared to supersede the existing act. The regional plans should provide for critical and strategic guidance to spatial linkages and settlement pattern, investment/development priorities and for creating statutory plans that can be enforced at local level.

The regional plans shall broadly conform to the state spatial strategy. This means that the boundaries of priority zones and areas as demarcated in the state spatial strategy map, shall get more refined in this case. For example, if an area is demarcated as a Development Priority Zone in the state spatial strategy, then the regional plan should further detail out the priorities in terms of urban, urbanisable, industrial infrastructure etc.

Or say, a buffer has been prescribed to a forest or protected area, then the regional plan would further identify the pockets of transitions, settlements, urbanisable, future built-up, agriculture etc.

For rural and agricultural areas, the regional plan may look further towards prioritising cropping patterns on community / village level of detailing.

However, a regional plan should not identify land uses at plot level. For example, the educational or health care hierarchy in terms of settlements may be highlighted in a regional plan, but it will not provide the exact plots / land details for locating the educational and healthcare facilities.

In other world regional plans would be strategic. I.e. they would be stringent enough to be conformed to by the settlement level land use plans, but in no case would they be statutory or binding enough to define the final land use.

Such plans may be prepared in a scale range of 1:50,000 to 1:100,000, and should incorporate development proposals of all sectors indicating further refined boundaries for:

• Development Priority Zones (urban, urbanisable, industrial, mining and quarrying, infrastructure and logistics)
• Preservation and Conservation Zones for water/ecologically fragile/heritage areas,
• Transition and Buffer Zones
• Rural and Agricultural Zones

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Framework for Settlement Level Land Use Plans

A ‘Framework for Settlement Level Land Use Plans’ for each development priority zones as well as for other urban and rural settlements. Such plans should comprise of master plans, improvement schemes, zonal plans, local area plans, detailed development plan, town planning schemes, Rurban area plans, panchayat/village plans, etc. prepared under State Town and Country Planning Act. Such plans should be prepared at a scale 1:10,000 and higher indicating precise boundaries of various land use zones. These plans should conform to strategic spatial plans for regions and sub-regions and should have statutory status for enforcement at local/plot level. Furthermore, these plans should also facilitate for spatial plans of industrial areas, forest areas, mining areas etc.

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