PLANNING OF RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOODS FOR KOLKATA

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever”. So said the romantic poet John Keats. Then why not make Kolkata beautiful? But whose responsibility is it to make the city beautiful – the government, the community or the corporate sector? Or is it all those who live and work in the city to benefit from it?

All over the developed world the community participates to build the city. Then why cannot India do the same? After all we are on our path to globalization and ought to be in a comparable position. Today cities are expanding rapidly. While we do compare nations for economic development, we relate more to cities globally as one travels from one city to another. These are the gateways for global prosperity. But Kolkata with its poor infrastructure lags way behind most of the major cities of the world. The Honourable Chief Minister aspires to convert Kolkata to London. There is nothing wrong in aiming high. But can the government do so merely by only wishing? Kolkata needs total overhauling to be rated as a global city.

Democratic decentralization is the only solution to such a proposition. In fact, now that the present government is showing its enthusiasm in refurbishing the city, it is the right time to take a few bold steps to prop up the city. In fact why cannot Kolkata be a pioneer in introducing ‘neighbourhood planning’ in India where all participate, the government, the corporate sector and the community? We talk of PPP in many of our activities. Is it meant to be only on paper? Why do we not do so for building and organizing our neighbourhoods where we live? A satisfied resident is far more productive than an unhappy one facing lack of basic utilities.

Let us draw an example. We all know that Kolkata does not have a Master Plan (subsequently, of course, KMDA did work out a few master (?) plans). In 1968 the Ford Foundation had helped Kolkata to formulate a Strategic Plan and called it as the Basic Development Plan. At the end of the plan period members of the Ford team had re-visited Kolkata in 1986 to review the situation. By then it was realized that given the existing physical developments that had happened without much landuse planning, Kolkata has no other option but to continue with the strategic plan concept, as so much of indigenous growth cannot be erased and the city rebuilt. However, suggestions were given to systematize developments; for example, if rural-urban migration was to be accepted, there should be at least some semblance of organizing low income housing. Hence it was suggested that slum development should be guided and specific land allocated for informal housing. The issue was of bringing order to chaotic development and guiding future growth. Now, if that had been followed, then how is Kolkata in such a mess today with no drainage and sewerage and shacks and encroachments on practically every pavement, so that people have to walk in the middle of the road defying traffic norms? One strong shower and the entire city is flooded, creating traffic snarls and difficulties for commuters? Why have systems not formed since then? Many planners give an excuse of Kolkata having spontaneous growth. But can we leave a city at the mercy of haphazard growth? After all, the very concept of a city means organizing of non-agricultural activities within a limited area!

City infrastructure in Kolkata is so despicable that often people inquire if utilities exist in the residential area where one has bought a house or apartment. I have myself bought a flat on the on the E.M.Bypass where there is no potable water, no drainage, no streets and no sewerage. The only utility available is electricity, being supplied by CESC, which is a private company. Should approval of plans, by the local government, come before or after the development of utilities? Moreover, in a developing area, how long does it take to build the utility infrastructure, given the fact that development money is charged from every developer while sanctioning the plan? And in anticipation of development, encroachments of public land alongside roads begin, for providing informal services, making the neighbourhood as unattractive as one can imagine. We all know that prevention is better than cure! Why not stop encroachment instead of clearing such unruly developments that are cancerous for the city dynamics. The encroachers have no toilets, no water, not even electricity, which they steal, all because of the Municipal Corporation’s neglect and lack of vigilance. It is so much easier to plan ‘greenfield sites’ than to uproot the squatters and turn it into a political dilemma.

A concept that can be suggested to correct such a predicament is that of ‘neighbourhood planning’ where residents of a given area take the lead, with the support of the local government, to organize and develop their own neighbourhoods for happy living. In a democratic country like India this should not be a problem at all. Area representatives of the local government can help citizens’ forums/the civil society to develop and reorganize areas to their liking and convenience. After all it is the residents who would ultimately live in the area. Unless protested, the community (the actual vote banks) is being totally ignored until election time when false promises are made for the sake of the impending elections. Once elected, the councillors forget their promises and let go of organized development to suit their own benefits.

‘Neighbourhood planning’ is the best form of planning in a city like Kolkata that is bereft of a Master Plan. It is a PPP in action. So why not start it immediately to save Kolkata from further deterioration. The Indian Constitution has already approved of democratic decentralization through its 74th Amendment way back in 1992. Then, why is there a delay? If Kolkata is to be converted into London, ‘neighourhood planning’ is the most appropriate strategy:

• It takes care of the needs of the residents who would be living there.
• It brings in a sense of responsibility to citizens.
• It inculcates the pride of living well.
• It brings in happiness and a smile on the face of every human being.
• It includes the needs and desires of the community and contributes to good governance.
• It is a proactive method using personal contacts to provide a human touch to planning.
• It is a plan done for a small area, taking into account the problems and issues that arise at the time of development of an area.
• It relieves the local government from the arduous task of planning and managing every nook and corner of the city.

Let Kolkata be a pioneer and teach the rest of India as to how to do ‘neighbourhood planning’ and bring joy to its citizens. ‘Neighbourhood planning’ is a democratic method of planning to build social capital that will help the local government to plan the city well. Thus ‘neighbourhood planning’ as a process of development is rarely questioned or contested, as it is done by the will of the people for the people.

Though defining a ‘neighbourhood’ is arbitrary, it is done through logical discussions, keeping in mind logical and practical issues of administration and management of a given area. Normally it is a homogenous area with common problems and similar characteristics that facilitates easy solutions to problems. Since it is done through a consultative process, the size of a neighbourhood ought to be manageable and easily accessible. It leads to “deliberative democracy”. By definition, a neighbourhood is a small area surrounding one’s residence, having familiar associations. It was introduced by Park and Burgess, in 1915, as an ecological concept with urban planning implications. It is greater than the household or the street, but smaller than the city. It was evolved to improve city environments soon after the industrial revolution in UK, when urban conditions deteriorated. Today it is also used to develop ‘greenfield’ sites with first time development problems and issues. It is a component of urban planning. It takes into consideration area, major roads, population, administrative units, etc. for demarcating an area/neighbourhood. Familiarity with the community and the area is very important.

A ‘neighbourhood plan’ is done democratically in conjunction with city officials (in case of India/Kolkata will have to be with the ward councillor). Its aim is good governance for the comfort of the residents of a neighbourhood and to improve the quality of life of the people.

A ‘neighbourhood plan’ coordinates with different agencies to produce a holistic picture of the area and merges its plan with that of the city.

• It focuses on sustainability.
• There can be long-term and short-term plans.
• It combines the planning of all utilities such as energy, water, roads, drainage, sewerage, transportation, landuse, etc. of an area to provide a holistic picture.
• It inculcates ownership and accountability to the community.
• It provides guidelines for the use of land, revenue and infrastructure.
• It is basically an approach toward integrated planning.

In other words, it helps the municipality to do its job well and monitor services for the upkeep of the city. Moreover, a plan done by the people is close to their heart and is easily acceptable. Chances of going wrong are less.

Issues of ‘neighbourhood planning’ can be several. Some are besides highways and not safe for children, some do not have drainage and sewerage, some are deficient in potable water, some do not have properly tarred roads and so on. There are also the problems of encroachment, car parking, illegal commercial developments, security and what have you. The issues or problems are not just reactive. There are proactive issues of cultural enhancement, setting up of nursery schools, developing parks and playgrounds and the like. It is promoted for social bonding, safety and active citizenry. It is actually done to help the local government in organizing the city and in promoting a sense of pride and ownership that helps to improve the quality of life, which is the aim of every government. There are different stages of ‘neighbourhood planning’. However, that is influenced by the requirements of the neighbourhood.

A collection of neighbourhoods make a city or a region within the city and helps the municipality and other line agencies to build the city systematically, where the role of the government is only to facilitate. Thus it reduces the load off the local government and yet helps in building the city into a well-planned home for its citizens.