63rd NATIONALTOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNERS CONGRESS

INSTITUTE OF TOWN PLANNERS, INDIA4A, Ring Road, I.P. Estate, New Delhi - 110002

Organised by :

High Growth Inclusive Urban Settlements9th - 11th January, 2015Venue : Amma Auditorium, A-Block, 12th Street, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai-30

Sponsored by : Ministry of Urban Development, Government of IndiaChennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), Tamil Nadu

Co-sponsored by :Commissionerate of Town and Country PlanningChennai CorporationTamil Nadu Housing BoardTamil Nadu Slums Clearance BoardTamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TUFIDCO)Commissionerate of Municipal AdministrationTamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TUFISL)Confederation of Real Estate Development Association in India (CREDAI)Builders Association of IndiaDelhi Development Authority

BACKGROUND

The history of urbanization throughout the world has

shown that economic growth is imperative and a

necessary condition for any settlement to sustain itself

and grow to which India is also no exception. However,

it is not denying the fact that the effect of economic

liberalization in India resulted into fast growth of

number as well as the population of towns, cities, and

urban agglomerations. To quote in 2001, there were

5,161 towns and cities in the country; and now (2011)

there are 7,935 urban centres which include 3,894

census towns. But with reference to the spatial

distribution of such fast-growing urban settlements, it is

interesting to note that many of these towns are located

in the shadow of mega-cities and large metro-cities.

Some of them have even evolved as twin cities or

satellite towns. According, to a study by the City

Mayor's Foundation, there are 37 fast-growing cities in

India. Some of these include Ghaziabad, Faridabad,

Surat, Nashik, Patna, Rajkot, Jaipur, Pune, Indore,

Asansol, Agra, Amritsar, Bangalore, Jamshedpur and

others. Ghaziabad and Faridabad are under growing

under the shadow of Delhi mega city and form part of

metropolitan core of the National Capital Region

(NCR). Recently Jaipur has also been declared as

satellite town of NCR.

In India, the evolution of twin-cities is not new and

cities like Hyderabad-Secunderabad, Cuttack-

Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, Hubli-

Dharwad, Badnera-Amravati, and Kochi-Ernakulum

came into existence before the economic boom of the

last two decades. However, in the context of 74th

Constitution Amendment Act, extension of municipal

boundaries, to accommodate pressure of urbanisation

is likely to be difficult and urban patterns like twin-cities,

urban agglomeration, and clustering of cities are

expected to emerge in future. Never the less the

important issue pertaining to twin-cities includes

whether and how far they merge into each other to form

an urban agglomeration generating economies of

scale and scope for economic activities including

businesses needs to be addressed. Yet another

important issue that Congress would like the delegates

to discuss is - whether one city grows at the cost of the

other and if so how such processes could be planned

and regulated by planners for growth of both cities. Are

twin-cities present a regional planning problem, which

should be planned at a regional level ?

In fact movement of population to large metropolitan

cities and other urban settlements from rural areas is

perceived as a major planning problem, which requires

planning interventions. This perception is based on the

understanding that large urban settlements are less

likely to be properly planned and managed. Largeness

in terms of population and extent of built up areas are

perceived as planning problems. Satellite towns are

presented as one response to such perceived planning

problem. Whether satellite towns do present a solution

to a perceived planning problem has not been

conclusively established. This Congress provides

another opportunity for planners to discuss a long

forgotten concept, which occasionally appears in

Metropolitan Regional Plans but no one hears about

them after the plans get prepared. We would like to

hear from delegates specifically on the issues and

relevance of the concept of satellite towns in the current

context of Indian urbanization. If yes, how satellite

towns could be deployed to manage large urban

settlements considering towns and cities are a fact of

life in a democratic set up like India. If no, what re-

orientation could be made of concepts like satellite

towns to be effective. Do we really need to focus on

controlling population and geographical sizes of cities

appears to be a critical planning issue? Alternatively,

can we think of new management methods for

planning and managing large metropolitan cities and

other urban settlements given that in-migration is

unlikely to stop at any time soon in future.

Congress sees a connection between the two diverse

formulations i.e. twin cities and satellite towns.

Congress would like to see that this relationship is

debated from various points of views. That these two

concepts are discussed at a regional level could be

presented as one perspective. How far government

and governance issues are entangled in the context of

planning issues need intense debate? Can given

constitutional provisions and guarantees be used to

establish a relationship between twin-cities and

satellite towns? Answers to these questions could be

useful for the governance of Indian urban settlements

with huge implications for rural areas.

This Congress will also deliberate how far 100 new

towns recently announced by the Government of India

could be visualized and planned as inclusive smart

cities, the cities which serve citizens belonging to all

economic classes and social identities. The

Government of India, in the current (2014) budget,

have also provided a sum of Rs 7,060 crore to

accomplish the vision of the Prime Minister to develop

100 smart cities as satellite towns of larger cities and

modernising the existing mid-sized cities. It is a positive

initiative to tackle the problem of unplanned growth in

and around large cities. This program is being followed

with vigour by the Government of India and in recent

conference of State Ministers, held in Delhi, the

program was introduced and various States have given

their views and proposals. However, there appears to

be some uncertainty about the definition, manner of

selection, financing, administration and spatial

planning of smart cities. What is a smart city? Are the

smart cities new settlements or improvement of old

ones? Are they islands of development serving elite

population and promoting gentrification? Should they

not be inclusive? Does e-governance only make a city

smart or should there be smart spatial planning as

well? How to identify a city under this program so that

smart cities form part of a Regional Plan and do not

evolve as 'islands of growth' surrounded by unplanned

activities? There is a need to address these and other

questions- whether the smart city formulation is likely to

be inclusive of all classes and identities. Whatever

emphasis is placed on framing smart city policies, the

concern about inclusivity is required to be addressed

before making any forward movement. Exclusivist

policies are generally riddled with planning conflicts

and controversies when a majority of citizens in cities

and towns have to live on bare minimum earnings and

live in slums and squatters.

After all cities, whether smart or otherwise, are for

citizens. Inclusion in any form is not anti-growth as

perceived by free marketers. There is no need to

emphasize that only inclusive societies have made

sustained human progress, if this among other things

also implies, peaceful and harmonious living together

of all citizens. Technology is developed by humans to

aid humanity, and to enhance quality to life of people at

large. There is no technology which is developed only

for technological advancement alone. This is the

litmus test of all technologies including technologies

that would be intensely used to create smart cities.

With reference to local sub-themes it is stated that cities

are restless, always in the process of change. There is

nothing new about this assertion. Theories about

internal city structure such as Concentric Zone Theory;

Sector Theory; and Multiple Nuclei Theory were

developed in the early parts of the twentieth century.

Land Use and Land Value Theory was developed in

1970s. Based on empirical evidence these theories

generalized how internal city structure transforms itself

with large scale implications for various economic

classes. Although these theories appear to present

simplistic explanations to numerous decisions made

by people in the present context, they remain useful in

establishing general rules about internal city structure.

No doubt cities are complex and that complexity needs

to be explored deeply to make sensible planning

decisions.

Congress sees the present urban scenario developing

without much insight about how internal city structures

have been functioning and transforming since the last

six decades. We would like to know more during the

course of the Congress what is the nature of internal

city structures in India. Are these structures work in

ways which integrate or do they function as divisive

elements among economic classes and other

identities? Understanding the nature of city

transformations is also imperative for concerns such as

environmental sustainability. Are cities transforming for

environmental degradation or improvement? All of us

are at loss because of environmental degradation.

Most urgent concern is to propel city transformations,

which serve the interests of sustainable environmental

development while at the same time ensuring

sustained and high economic growth.

With reference to Tamil Nadu, it is a fact that one in every

two persons lives in urban area. The Government of

Tamil Nadu has prepared a “Vision Document - Tamil

Nadu 2023” in the year 2012 for identifying and removing

bottlenecks in development and for prioritizing critical

areas of development for achieving economic prosperity

and employment generation with inclusive growth. As

part of the strategy a strategic blueprint for development

is aiming at achieving consistent growth, the important

areas for special attention include universal access to

housing, water and sanitation, energy, transportation,

connectivity, healthcare and education. There is a thrust

on skill development to create a balanced workforce for

a variety of livelihood opportunities. In the agriculture

sector, the thrust is on technology based intelligent use

of water and ensuring timely irrigation, refurbishing the

existing canals and tanks, adopting appropriate crop

pattern besides developing suitable post harvesting

infrastructure and timely marketing of the agricultural

produce are emphasized. The strategic initiative

includes transforming ten cities into world class cities

that become nodes of growth across the state by

upgrading the infrastructure facilities. These centres will

act as nuclei of innovation and send positive

development waves into the surrounding hinterland. The

development strategies include broadband connectivity

to each village, high speed rail connectivity to cities,

priority development of four development corridors,

making Tamil Nadu as health care destination besides

tourism development of hill areas, beaches and heritage

centres. For all these activities to take place a special

planning framework has to be in place.

Taking into consideration all the above emerging issues the Institute of Town Planners, India, has dedicated its 63rd National Town and Country Planners' Congress, to be held during 9th-11th January 2015 at Chennai, to the main theme "High Growth Inclusive Urban Settlements" with the sub-themes “Twin Cities and Satellite Towns”; and “Inclusive Smart Cities”. And to deliberate the local issues related to fast pace of changes in urban areas in Tamilnadu, the local sub-theme of the congress has been dedicated to “Transformation of Cities as Nuclei of Development”.

PROGRAM

Friday,9th January, 2015

• Inauguration

• Plenary Session “High Growth Inclusive Urban Settlements”

• Inauguration of Exhibition

• Workshop on Sub-Theme (i) : “Twin Cities and Satellite Towns ”

Saturday, 10th January, 2015

• Workshop on Sub-Theme (ii) : “Inclusive Smart Cities ”

• Workshop on Local Sub-theme : “Transformation of Cities as Nuclei of Development ”

• Drafting Session

• Valedictory Session

Sunday, 11th January, 2015

• Field Visit to Special Townships

PARTICIPATION

About 400 delegates and participants comprising of professional planners, policymakers, administrators, academicians, educationists and experts from the allied disciplines both from India and abroad are expected to participate in the Congress.

EXHIBITION

An exhibition on “ High Growth Inclusive Urban Settlements ” is being organized during the Congress. It would provide an opportunity to various stakeholders to showcase their efforts and success stories. In order to book space in the exhibition and to secure other details, please contact Shri S. Rudramurthy (Mobile number +91 9444145477)

CALL FOR PAPERS

Papers are invited on the theme and sub-themes not exceeding 3,000 words, along with hard and soft copy in MS Word to reach the Secretary General, ITPI, New Delhi before 25th December, 2014. The Institute of Town Planners, India reserves the right to accept, edit or reject any of the technical paper without assigning any reason.

ABOUT CHENNAI

Chennai situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal is the capital of Tamil Nadu State. It was the capital of erstwhile Madras Presidency covering most of the areas under the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The population of Chennai as per 2011 Census is 46.44 lakh. Chennai has the 2nd longest beach in the world. It is the 4th largest metropolis in India. Chennai is a major Transportation Hub for road, rail, air and sea transport connecting major cities in land and abroad.

Chennai has a rich heritage with heterogeneous mix of architectural styles ranging from ancient temples to British colonial era buildings to the latest modern buildings. Most of the Colonial era buildings are of Indosarasonic style. Chennai is famous for its classical dance called “Bharatanatiyam” and Carnatic Music Season. These events held every year during December and January, is one of the world's longest cultural events attracting the people from all over the world.

The climate is hot and humid. During the Congress the minimum temperature would be 22° and maximum would be 30°. Woolen clothes are not required.

ACCOMODATION

Accommodation in Chennai ranges from luxury hotels

to moderate and economy hotels. Delegates may

however, note that during the period of the congress

there will be heavy rush of tourists in the city. The ITPI

has blocked few rooms on reduced tariff ranging from

` 2,000 to `5,000 (Standard AC Room) per day for

double-bedded room which could be booked by

members by sending advance payment to ITPI along

with Registration Fee.

REGISTRATION FEE

• Sponsored delegates : ̀ 5,000/-

• Non-sponsored delegates : ̀ 3,000/-

• ITPI Members : ̀ 2,000/-

• Planning Students (provided nominations are

forwarded by HoDs) :` 1,000/-

• Additional amount of 50% of registrations fee of

delegate shall be charged per accompanying

person.

• Cheques and drafts only will be accepted with

Registration Form. For spot registration either cash

or draft only will be accepted.

• Registration fee once paid will not be refunded.

• Outstation Cheques should include bank charges

of ̀ 50.

REGISTRATION FORM

1. Name of the Participant (Ms/Smt./Shri):

2. Designation and Mobile No.:

3. Name of the Organization with Address:

4. Accompanying Persons: Adults Children

5. Registration Number (in case of ITPI Member)

6. In case of Student, name of Institution (attach Letter from HoD)

7. Requirement for Accommodation:

a) Single Bed / Double Bed: No. of Rooms:

b) From to

c) Advance for Accommodation: Rupees

8. Category of Registration: Sponsored / Non-sponsored / ITPI Member / Student

9. Mode of Payment of Delegation fee: Amount Rs. (Cheque /Draft/ Cash)

Date: Signature

(Des

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Prof. (Dr.) NajamuddinSecretary GeneralInstitute of Town Planners, India4-A, Ring Road, I.P. Estate, New Delhi 110002Phones: 011-23702457, 23702454Fax: 011 23702453, Mobile: +91 9897065359Email: itpidel@itpi.org.inWebsite: www.itpi.org.in

In case of urgency contact Dr. A.N. Sachithanandan,

President, ITPI Mobile : + 91 9840324140

Shri. Anantharanjan Doss,

Chairman Tamil Nadu Regional Chapter, Chennai

Mobile : + 91 9884747153

Dr. S. Rajasekarapandian,

Council Member, and Chief Planner,

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), 8-Gandhi Irwin Road,

Chennai-600008

Contact : +91 9444015618

E-mail : 63congress@gmail.com