MASTER PLANNING APPROACH IN URBAN INDIA: ALTERNATIVES/IMPROVEMENTS?

Preparing and implementing master plans in India have been criticized for numerous reasons such as inefficiency in addressing challenges of land acquisition, degradation in urban poverty and inequality, social inclusion, inadequacy of infrastructure facilities and lack of urban services. The challenges Indian cities are facing demands renewed attention and innovative thinking for better and effective planning which is however yet to be produced. Significance of the study lies with the growing urbanization, increase in the number of master plans and growing consciousness to have an inclusive and participatory planning approach. Despite several alternatives have been suggested over the years yet none of them were realized practically. Thus the master plans needs to be flexible, inclusive, transparent and accountable which would help in reducing the gap in plan preparation and implementation.