Comparative study of Development Plan implementation in million-plus cities
Transportation networks, including roads, bikeways, footpaths, and mass transit alignments, provide the skeletal structure for a city and carry utility networks. Indian cities create these networks using statutory Development Plans. In most states, large cities – with over a million people – prepare and notify these plans every decade. However, there is considerable variation in what proportion of the proposed networks are implemented. This Directed Research Project proposes to initiate a series of studies comparing the implementation of Development Plans in million-plus cities across India. The selected cities will be compared on (i) the extent of implementation of roads, non-motorized vehicle paths, and mass transit alignments and (ii) factors contributing to implementation, such as budget allocations and innovative implementation strategies. The student will select at least two cities, one from Gujarat/ Maharashtra and one from another state, and compile data for the last two sanctioned Development Plans. Implementation would be verified using publicly available data, including satellite images. After compiling and comparing the data for the selected cities, the students would interview key stakeholders in each city on the DP implementation process. The study results will be presented as a report and presentation.
