Land management in cities critical for planned development: ITPI president NK Patel

Chandigarh: The Punjab chapter of the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) hosted a talk on the system of land pooling process and implementation of town planning schemes in Gujarat, one of the most urbanised states in the country. The talk was delivered by NK Patel, national president of ITPI, a highly experienced and successful industry professional who served as a town planner in the Gujarat government and Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) for 17 years before launching his own real estate venture.

According to NK Patel, national president of ITPI, “As India becomes rapidly urbanised due to migration from rural areas, land management in cities has become critical to ensure planned development. Land pooling and town planning schemes are an effective land management tool and have been successfully implemented in Gujarat and other states, and also in several countries.”

He also added, “There are several advantages of the town planning mechanism, which helps in micro-level land management. In fact, it is a win-win for all stakeholders. There is an equal land percentage deduction, and developed land remains with the original owner. It is a self-financing mechanism, as the local urban body can raise funds by selling spare land. The system also ensures land is reserved for public purposes such as schools, parks, playgrounds, hospitals, etc., and housing for economically weaker sections.”

During the talk, Gurpreet Singh Former chief Town Planner Punjab and former Vice President ITPI and former chairman Punjab Regional Chapter shared, “How Cities can be better prepared to meet the challenges. How lessons from the past can be implemented to avoid the problems in the future, how sustainable development and innovative planning can be incorporated, and what role town planners can play in this.”

The ITPI president also made a presentation about the various aspects of land pooling and town planning and explained in detail the nitty-gritty of the highly complex and technical process. He also presented successful examples of TP schemes, one of them being Ahmedabad, where 97% of the urban area is developed through TP schemes and has a fairly well-developed infrastructure.

The ITPI national president was also felicitated by Pankaj Bawa, Chairman of Punjab regional chapter of ITPI, and other members on the occasion.