Karnataka to go digital in its Urban Planning

KARNATAKA: Soon Karnataka will go digital in its urban planning which includes 26 cities. All the master plans will be based on Geographic information System (GIS) which will help authorities to regular check on land use changes in real time and keep a check on violations. Under the Centre’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Urban Development Department (UDD) has taken this reform.

So, to create base of thematic maps, cities are expected to use spatial tools and then they need to put together a sector-wise database. These all will be put together to formulate the master plan – identifying issues, projecting requirements and developing strategy based on the georeferenced maps using sector-wise data analysis.

“The biggest advantage is the real-time monitoring and updating of land use changes,” UDD Secretary (Municipalities and Urban Development authorities) Anjum Parwez said. “For example, if an urban development authority approves the building of a road, it can be updated instantly on the digital maps to reflect the land use change. This will also allow us to pinpoint violations without having to manually look up maps. The reform is imminent, according to Parwez. “We’re moving toward online approval of building plans and layouts. If the master plan isn’t digital, the other reforms won’t work,” he said.

“Although Bangalore development authority (BDA) doesn’t come under AMRUT, we have used GIS tools in the Revised Master Plan 2031 whose first draft is ready. It will be circulated to the BBMP and BMRDA for vetting,” BDA Commissioner Rakesh Singh said.

To collectively re-imagine possible futures, identify priorities and implementable projects, cities like New York and London are implementing strategic spatial planning. But in bengaluru these master plans have been restricted to static land use and colour-coded maps, which are prone to violation. “Several urban agencies, especially in smaller cities, do not have the capacity yet to manage GIS databases. Many government departments in larger cities, too, outsource their GIS needs, which needs to change. GIS needs to become part of everyday use and not a once-in-10-years effort,” said Rejeet Mathews, head, Urban development at WRI India.