Tag Archives: Governance

Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 15: The Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

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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.

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 16: State Spatial Strategy

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We look at the evolution of state spatial strategies through the lens of the three pillars of sustainability i.e. environment, economy and society with two proposals/examples. We also get links to the details for of the two proposals. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

For addressing the challenges and issues economic disparity, water constraints, or other sectoral conflicts and land use planning challenges as discussed earlier in Chapter 14, a state level spatial strategy can ensure that use of land is in general driven by its most economical and least environmental impact.

A state spatial strategy would ideally advocate assigning priority areas for economic development, no development as well as conservation and augmentation of water. This can improve economic competitiveness along with more equitable income distribution as compared to a scenario of continued water scarcity.

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 05: Land and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

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Who imagined that one policy has the potential to impact 14 goals and 37 targets? This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

Addressing issues pertaining to land through spatial and land use planning would substantially further the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development. A land use planning policy (if prepared) has a potential to positively impact achievement of 14 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) due to its direct relation to 37 targets spread across SDG 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 07: Stakeholders and Actors – the Departments, their Roles and Mandates

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We understand the concept of stakeholders and actors and look at possible stakeholders at National and state levels with two examples. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

Who are the right stakeholders and actors? Are they on board and do they support the project? Are they open to the concept and willing to adapt? How important are they? Do they share common objectives? Do they have the right mandate? Are there some who are the key driving force whereas others who play a secondary role? Are there any veto players? Are all actors only from government, or are they from private sector and civil societies also?

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 09: Land Use Statistics

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What is the land utilisation pattern in India? Let us have a look and understand the sources of information for some key categories. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

This chapter is specific to Indian scenario. Still, some sections might be relevant to other regions and countries as well.

Various ministries and departments at the National as well as the State Government maintain information on existing land use statistics for their own planning purposes. It is important to understand how these statistics look together at various levels of governance. Such a collation of land use statistics and envisaged/proposed plans is expected to give an interesting insight into the land use scenario for the state as well as the challenges ahead.

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Housing, Integrated Industrial Areas, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Public Private Partnerships, Sustainable Development, Tourism

Chapter 10: Sectoral Policies and the Land Acquisition Process

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Ever wondered what various sectoral policies point to? Indian states have such a complex governance system and so many policies, let us look at a select few for two states in India (one highly urbanised and the other being one of the least urbanised). We will also understand the steps if somebody wants to have access to land to setup a project. There are links to policy details. Some may find it boring. Some may be extremely interested. Mind it. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

The presence of complex governance systems with multiple sectoral departments means that each departments is in-charge of various development measures. It is highly likely that each department has specific policies or other forms of guiding documents for planning interventions. Some of these policies/guiding documents are expected to directly have an impact on land use, whereas some of them would result in planning processes that affect eventual land use (indirect impact on land use). As most of the departments have such policies in force and decisions are made abiding by these documents, it is important to understand and consider them during the formulation of the land use planning policy for any state or country.

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 11: Department versus Land Use Theme Matrix

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Ever wondered? Which department has what control and relationship with each land use category? Let us have a look. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

The presence of a complex governance system with multiple sectoral departments and the complex substructure of each indicates that different departments have different mandates functions and powers as far as land use and utilisation is concerned. Whereas some department may have powers and functions covering financial, planning, influencing land use outcomes, other departments may only be affected by decisions of other departments. Furthermore, the powers and functions vested with a department or the lack thereof, may or may not be restricted to a certain category of land use. Hence, it is important to evaluate the roles of various department’s vis. – a – vis. each category of land use.

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 12: Working Group – Why and How?

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This is where we bring all the departments together. We setup the working group and define the agenda for each theme. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

Whoa… We have come a long way. We have spent close to 15 months to come so far.

We are now aware and in agreement with the need of Hierarchical Spatial and Land Use Planning (Click here). We also agree on the significance of a state land use planning policy (Click here and here). We have also seen the importance of Cooperation strategy and the approach that we can adopt for preparing such a policy. (Click here).

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 13: Thematic Consultations

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After setting the working group let us prepare and undertake the thematic consultations. We also document and extract outputs and outcomes from them in terms of visions and land use interaction matrix with an example. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

We are nearing completion of month 18 now. It has been three months since we are sensitising every stakeholder department on their role and ownership for the policy. Fortunately, they all agree and are on board. Hopefully, we also have a formal government notification circulated to at core as well as extended working group members.

In short, we have already set up the working group. First battle won.

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Governance, Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework, Land Use Planning and Management, Multi-Sectoral, Policies, Sustainable Development

Chapter 14: Spatial Representations of Key Challenges

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We are now well into the details for each sector. We have so much information on land use change and sectoral challenges. Let us spatially represent them and use the power of visualisation. We do this with two examples. This chapter is part of a series on Hierarchical Spatial Planning Framework

We have been working for the past 24 months now and undertaken an extensive study of our state. We have looked at the baseline scenario in terms of governance structure, department roles and their mandates, we have developed a good understanding of Land uses and its statistics for our state, we have also analysed the policies and strategies in detail.

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