Master Plan is an instrument to work out land and infrastructure requirements for various urban and rural uses, and allocate land for various uses to result in harmonious and sustainable distribution of activities so that towns / cities are provided with a form and structure within which they can perform all their economic and social functions efficiently and effectively. The purpose of a Master Plan is to promote growth and guide and regulate present and future development of towns and cities with a perspective of 20-25 years.
With rapid urbanization and growth of the city, urban planning has received a major importance. This planning is done at various hierarchies to integrate a large region with a small area so that the development is done at a same pace. There are many legal documents made to promote development. Master plan is one such document which provides rules and guidelines for a planned development both at present and future. Urban areas have grown in both size and complexity over the decades and became unmanageable in most of the places. The need of having a mechanism or a way to regulate this growth was felt and thus methods were devised to regulate or “shape” this growth. Having master plan is one of such attempt. Other methods include development places called as “City Development Plan”, Town Planning Schemes, Land Use Plans,Zonal Plans, various other “spatial” plans made by concerned authorities.
Basic Characteristics of Master Plan:
It’s a Physical plan: The plan is fundamentally a guide to the physical development of the community;
It is long ranged: involves long term planning;
It is comprehensive: encompasses all the functions that make a community work, such as transportation, housing, land use, utility systems, and recreation. Moreover, the plan considers the interrelationships of function;
Guide to decision making: for the planning board, the governing board and mayor or manager;
Statement of public policy: The plan translates community values, desires, and visions into land use and development principles that can guide the future growth of your community.
Concept of Master Plan:
Master plan is a long term document. It clears out the vision for prospective year for the city and plans out development for future; Master plan focuses on rational use of land that is demarking land for the use most optimal for the activity at a place. It efficiently uses resources to meet the present and future requirements of the citizens; Master plan should consider the environmental and costs related to it.
The proposals for development should be environmentally sustainable.; Master Plan is based on inclusive planning. It considers all sections of people in society in development proposals and focuses on affordability. ; Master plan gives restrictions on ecologically sensitive areas, on heritage sites and traditional built up areas and gives special norms for these places. ; Master Plan leads to a balanced growth of the city. It prevents concentration of a particular activity at one place and takes into account efficient distribution of facilities, infrastructure, networks and housing and follows neighbourhood concept of development.