Hierarchy and Types of Plans in India

Hierarchy and types of Plans

There are number of plans available to direct the development in an urban or rural areas. The levels at which they operate is different & similarly the nature and details provided in each type is different. Hierarchy and Types of Plans are explained below

Hierarchy of Plans

Master plan :

A coordinated act of planning proposals, for the physical development of a city, via the purposeful transformation of its socio-economic, natural and built environment, taking into consideration the existing requirements and the future needs , with population as the basic parameter.

 Contents of the master plan

  • extent of planning area
  • immediate surrounding area and its effects
  • broad delineation of the land use
  • major circulation pattern of the city
  • major work centers
  • delineation of high and low population density zones
  • zone and sub zone divisions
  • development codes and norms
  • allocation o land for various use zones
  • policies and proposals for development

 Main functions of the plan :

  • to develop the town or city as a combined unit and maintain a balance b/w the spatial allocations for the distribution of facilities
  • formulation of policies for the development of the town/city, aiming at the decentralisation of city centre
  • presenting broad circulation links, for inter-city & intra-city traffic and a multi modal mass transport system
  • Preservation of the natural features of the city
  • division of the city in sub-divisions or zones.

 Zonal development plans :

The master plan divides the city into sub-divisions or zones

Criteria’s followed are :

  1.          physical & historical growth
  2.          character of land
  3.          intensity of land – use
  4.          circulation pattern ( railways , major arteries etc. )
  5.          municipal boundaries , election & census wards

Contents of a zonal plan

  • land use plan confirming to the master plan
  • location and extent of land uses
  • more detailed circulation pattern
  • special objectives of the zone if any
  • allocation of use zones into further use premises

Functions of a zonal plan

  • A zonal development plan details out and elaborates the policies of the master plan
  • Acts as a link between the master plan and the layout plans
  • Contains a land-use plan for the development of the zone and show the approximate locations and extents of land-uses proposed in the zone
  • The schemes and layout plans indicating use premises should confirm to the master plan

Local area plan

A local area plan (lap) sets out a strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of a specific area within a local authority and for a timescale as specified by the authority.

Contents of a local area plan

  1. Land use zoning & density
  2. Public open space
  3. Private open space
  4. Car parking
  5. Provision of infrastructure
  6. Conservation of built heritage
  7. Conservation of natural environment
  8. Provision of traveller accommodation
  9. Community facilities
  10.   Design & development standards.

Functions of a local area plan

  • a local area plans gives plot level detail
  • it is also used to check if the master plan is confirming with land.

A sector plan consists of a group of neighborhoods where it is possible to provide higher order facilities for larger population

Contents of a sector plan

  • it is a detailed site plan with broad identification of residential clusters
  • Allocation of commercial areas and other facilities based on access requirement
  • Formation of a boundary depending on circulation pattern  and administrative setup
  • Social and physical infrastructure to be allocated based on development control norms laid down in master plan
  • Traffic links to be identified between arterials and collector roads

Functions of a sector plan

  • Each sector plan has to identify the various neighborhoods with population ranging from 3500-15000
  • It is the lowest level plan for the implementation of the various levels of planning proposals extensively detailed out

hierarchy and types of plan