Outline Development Plans (ODPs) are a form of local structure planning undertaken to provide guidance and flexibility for the future development of a particular area. ODPs are developed in conjunction with the community, landowners, the City and relevant Government Agencies, providing an ‘agreed’ approach to the development of an area.
An ODP ordinarily consists of a plan supported by a report and technical appendices. These documents are public. Along with the ODP Map of various towns, we should have a comprehensive document in place which brings about clarity to the varied stake holders on the vision, direction and growth of development in the town and also a look on the strategies, options and tradeoffs.
ODP’S consider the present situation, the various growth trends at work and future issues. It integrates key influencing factors including the town’s natural environment, its heritage, and issues of economic efficiency and social equity.
Could the Planning authorities give the public a view on what are the different layers of planning involved for these towns? Some would include the following to which more could be added: Natural areas, Transport, Water Supply, Land price, Population, Social Index, Urban fabrics.
This would be relevant from the context that more and more towns in Goa are facing the problem of extensive growth at a fast pace with very minimum infrastructure to sustain this sort of development. We at the Indian Institute of Architects feel that the ODP should include a holistic Map showing all the overlays including that of infrastructure and utilities. It is only once this infrastructure is brought in place that extensive development can be supported. Along with a team of various resource people such as planners, environmentalists, designers, sociologists, conservationists the approach to planning could be made much better which would in turn yield better results for all the varied stake holders. Better and more sustainable models of towns could be looked at. All sort of mal planning practices should be curbed if we want to see a better future for Goa.
One should look at alternatives of approaches towards planning. A planning process serving to ensure a stake in planning and urban governance for communities and community based organizations in the face of progressive globalization. It is a process where the sacred routine of planning first and acting later is displaced in favour of acting and planning iteratively, adaptively and simultaneously.
A Community action planning approach should be brought into place whereby this kind of practice whose purpose is to inform policy from the grassroots, where goals emerge in action and whose implementation relies on strategic progressive interventions from Government and planners.
Outline development plans for the current urban areas in questions for all our Towns , are all facing challenges of urbanization posing threats to the planning areas with reference to existing built environment and infrastructural facilities.
ODP, as part of a continuous planning process, it is bound to have requests for localised zone changes or asking for increase in density ( FAR ) in bits and parts by certain stake holders in isolation . Impacts of such isolated insertions in the ODP has to be reviewed and analyzed in context with the larger holistic scenario of the towns . or else our cites will have several deteriorating growth pockets affecting other good planned areas of the towns. As part of planning process clarity on what gets added in the name of minor corrections, so called amendments or a complete newly drafted /notified policy is a must to see in this exercise undertaken by the authorities.
Parameters for this guidelines needed to be drafted and debated so that all planning areas of all forms are covered in the city plan.
Primary concerns can have an analytical look at the following vital points:
1. RESIDENTIAL – already saturated areas and pockets for new growths in terms of decentralization.
This can be taken forward by:
• Identifying elements of residential fabric that we need to conserve
• Identifying pockets than require a relook through mechanism of reorganization and realignment and renewal like area development through Town planning schemes. This is pertinent to note since there is a huge stock of dilapidated and unplanned areas in our urban domain that we have inheritated.
2. DENSITY & LANDUSE –can be looked at with reference to the current times and its future growth before popping up FAR in isolation pockets . One should talk of hierarchy of network and gradation of densities and a logical sequence to the same. Nonetheless this should also be supported on plan with services, infrastructure and amenities located in a thought out and structured manner.
3. COMMERCIAL areas in CBD and its increasing demands of traffic and mobility networks and basic infrastructure for the futuristic times should also be a concern . The commercial arreas in peripherals fringe sectors should also help the towns to reduce traffic chaos in our towns .
• Directions here are to improve the situations in CBD by inserting the much needed parking, mobility and legibility elements to give a new lease .
• Neighborhood level infrastructure and amenities should be inserted in the plan to avoid running to a central location.
4. INSTITUTIONAL AREAS – existing and proposed need a comprehensive look so that they provide appropriate hubs for educational activities. Pressures from other fast growing real estates and commercial sectors on such institutional zones which be looked at closely.
5. BASIC provision and creation of appropriate physical environment with complete “holistic approach“ and improving quality of life is always a vital design tool in planning process. We utterly ignored our natural heritage and elements of outdoor living in the plan. Cycling tracks, pedestrian tracks, parks, promenades and play fields of all scales need to be included.
6.MOBILITY PLAN – can depend on creation of parking infrastructure for the congested city pockets and at the same time and decentralization of certain landuses that can reduce traffic volumes form our towns. Modes of transportation and networks required for its infrastructure as a n alternative has to be superimposed over the zones of planning areas. Mass rapid transit systems can enable to connect the cities growth areas to developing fringe areas . Provide to discourage use of private modes should be the underlying principle.
7. HERITAGE & CONSERVATION AREAS need a plan and a visionary policy without affecting the character of our urban areas. Today’s date concerns on conservation areas and their want to grow and upgrade their properties to suit current day needs a complete relook in the plan and its policies.
8. ANCILIARY facilities for the community need a relook at considering its current status and provision of upgraded facilities for the future generations making our towns comfortable and more vibrant to experience .
9. NATURAL RESOURCES –like landform, vegetation and water as part of environmental improvement strategies also need a focused approach as part of planning process of ODP so that the resources get restored and conserved for the future maintaining the identity of the place.
(The author is the Chairman, Indian institute of architects – Goa chapter)
