Urban Development of a country / state / district / region primarily depends on how effectively the urban settlements, that is, town, city, metro or mega city have been planned and managed. Urban planning and management come within the broad ambit of urban governance. So technically it can be stated that growth of urban sector of a country, which contributes maximum percentage of GDP, depends on good governance of its urban areas. In this regard, good governance has 8 criteria, but its basic premise is to plan and manage the urban areas well. Hence the Planning of settlements - urban or rural occupying land/space is equally important as is economic planning.
The principles of urban planning encompass knowledge of various fields like geography, economics, sociology, engineering and architecture. The guiding principles of urban planning starts with forecasting the population for whom the plan is to be prepared followed by the major 7 aspects to be suitably planned and provided:
i) Housing
ii) Public and Semi-Public Offices
iii) Commercial facilities
iv) Recreation Centers
v) Roads and Transportation
vi) Green Belt / Green Cover
vii) Zoning.
Statutory and non-statutory plans prepared as part of the Urban Planning give due cognisance to applicable principles of planning. Yet, due to various interest groups, we commonly observe significant variation in the principles and real life situation.
The main aim of Urban Planning is to provide good quality of life to the occupants of urban settlements. This aim can be achieved by formulating the objectives and adopting strategies to provide or maintain the major following four aspects that are essential for urban dwellers/people.
i) Convenience/Comfort: This includes provision of physical infrastructure such as electricity, adequate water supply, transport facilities, easy disposal of sewage and waste. The recreational amenities comprising of open spaces, parks, town halls, playgrounds, malls, stadiums, auditorium etc. are also essential for comfort of people.
ii) Aesthetics: This can be understood by natural elements within and surrounding the urban settlement and also by giving architectural finishes to its various components. It not only includes natural elements but also architectural control on public as well as semi-public buildings, ancient architectural buildings, temples, churches, buildings of cultural and historical significance.
iii) Environment: This can be understood with the approach that activities of man should not have negative impact on both the built and natural environment. In the current context, it also includes impact on climate change.
iv) Good Health: The objective of health is accommodated in urban planning by making right use of land for right purpose by providing social infrastructure, parks and playgrounds for the public, by maintaining the pollution of various forms to the lowest possible degree etc.