A broad strategic framework for development through regional master planning a critical study with reference to greater Mohali region of Punjab

Abstract

Urbanization is a fair indicator of economic development. Regional master planning and city planning are most important tools for a comprehensive, controlled and regulated urbanization and development. Cities are the engines of growth and generators of resources for national physical and economic development. There is a clearly demonstrable positive correlation among growth, urbanization and accelerated development. Development, not driven by definite planning process, is more likely to be organic. There is an intrinsic relationship among urbanization, Regional master planning and economic development. Development can be accelerated if it is symphonized. Not enough documented evidence was available for clearly exploring and understanding this relationship in the Indian context, especially with reference to the Greater Mohali region in the State of Punjab. This research was aimed to critically examine the empirical, conjectural and hypothetical evidence available in the literature and after evaluating and identifying the gaps in earlier studies, proposed the research area for a deeper understanding of a not so well understood concept of correlation between Regional master planning and accelerated development and suggested a broad strategic framework. With explosion of urban population, the existing framework of development of cities is no longer relevant as metropolitans and polycentric developments have taken a center stage resulting in urban sprawl, ribbon development and unbalanced growth. The key to implementation of million plus cities is their development with in a perspective of regional framework. Government and authorities all over the world, fueled by statuary acts/provisions have their own interpretation of what is meant by development and what stakeholders want? This is more or less likely to be a closed door program. With escalating level of awareness, the stakeholders harbor personal aspirations and requirements from planned development, deprived of which one has no qualms of open protest against agenda unacceptable to them. Facing resentment and resistance, governments all over are likely to be convinced about seeking stakeholders participation in development and welcome them as partners. Regional Master Plan if handled with a sensitized approach, seems to emerge as a powerful medium for bringing about economic and social reform. Urban xii planning is a macro tool for economic development of a region. In the Indian system, the concept and parameters of design of the plan are usually fairly good. But as soon the proposal leaves the drawing board into the approval or implementation stages, that the barriers and obstacles are encountered! These challenges can be physical, financial, internal capacity or external factors like conflict from stakeholders say land owners, builders, activist, welfare associations and unions etc. It is increasingly being established that since governments do not much involve them in the development process, the sentiment of being marginalized breeds resentment, resulting in resistance. Sensitized and consultative approach is critical to defuse development crisis in India. Unified development strategy of urban-rural continuum can be a natural outcome to discover a collectively acceptable model to key stakeholders. Limited research had been done on integrated regional approach to development in Punjab or even in India. Specially lacking is assimilation of stakeholder’s expectations and respect for their views in policy & strategy formulation. This research is based on questionnaire to three categories of stakeholders from urban mosaic – the land owners or assemblers, the developers or government and the end users like buyer or investors of property, on their expectations from planned development. Since these major players relate to diverse backgrounds and may harbor individual group affiliations, identification of optimal or feasible vision is key to inclusive development. In the postulations, the precincts of the land owner, the agriculturist, the developer, the government or the buyer are seen to be melting away, which yields into universal synergy through mutual enterprises. The self–harmonizing regional urban collaborations can have the strength to absorb the negative or positive impulse from industrial or agricultural economy. Some pioneer work has been undertaken by various researchers in the islands or components of regional planning and development in the so called developed countries and developing countries including India. However, there is a need to work on a Comprehensive Strategic Framework for regional approach to urban planning and development with an Indian perspective. A detailed and critical study was, therefore, required to fill this gap and as a result, A broad strategic framework for development through regional master planning for accelerated development was conceptualized.