URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING: 11/8/14 and 13/8/14

I.Origin and evolution of human settlement

The nomadic life of humans of the prehistoric period created insecurity as the population
grew. The chief or head of each group feared other groups as everyone fought for the same
resources and hunting was not success every day. The logical human then formed groups and
each member was assigned each task. The success rate of hunting increased as they formed
larger groups. This formed the initial settlements where people came together for a coexistence. But this was again a mobile life where groups moved together. Hunting consumed
all the time available and people didnt have time for anything beyond. Somebody then
noticed that the plants and trees follow a cycle and food gathering at these specific periods is
a possibility. Thus some kind of permanence emerged in settlements with less mobility.
Though some of the seeds of later urban life were already present in the paleolithic culture,
the soil to nourish them was lacking, Hunting and food gathering sustain less than ten people
per square mile; to be sure of a living man needed a wide range and great freedom of
movement. Until he learns to store he must live from day to day, keeping to small, mobile
groups, not heavily impeded by possessions, not tied to a fixed habitation. The process of
settlement, dietary regulation brought in systematic gathering and planting of the seeds from
certain grasses, the taming of other seed plants like beans. A permanent occupation,
prolonged enough to follow the whole cycle of growth led to identification of hard grains.
The production of hard gains that could be stored from year to year offered stability, since it
provided insurance against starvation. The ability to preserve food made it possible to
diversify into other activities. With the development of a diversified economy not totally
dependent upon food production, it became possible to attract people into a labour pool, thus
providing employment in a variety of forms. This in turn brought about the enlargement of
villages or hamlets into towns and cities, which operated on different political and economic
bases than had been in the simpler forms.
The word city implies a concentration of people in a given geographic area who support
themselves on a fairly permanent basis from economic activities of that area. Urban areas are
those locations where there is opportunity for a diversified living environment and diverse
lifestyles. Natural factors played an important part in the development and growth of urban
areas. The danger of fire and flood, extreme climatic conditions, the possibility of
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, lack of natural resources and fertile soil- all influenced
decisions to settle or not in a given site. Urban areas seldom form where topography is steep.
Some cities locate at higher altitude, but with relatively gentle slope. Accessibility is another
important parameter. Most of the world cities can be found on or near major waterways- seas
and rivers. The village itself had brought a need for mutual responsibility and cooperation.
What distinguishes the early city from the primitive village is its higher degree of social and
political organisation. The more sophisticated social structure allows people to live together
in relative peace. Thus the transformation from village was not just mere change of scale;
rather it was a change of direction and purpose, manifested in a new type of organisation. The

first thing to mark the passage from village to city however was an increase in the built up
and population.
II. Relevance of study of settlements
Urban history has become an increasingly important subject. This is partly because,
throughout the urbanised world, ordinary people are becoming aware of the vital roles open
to them to play in the planning process, for which an appreciation of the past is a basic
starting point. As a technician in planning- an architect or a civil engineer, there is one more
necessity of studying urban history. If we want to lay new foundation for urban life, we must
understand the historic nature of the city, and distinguish between its original functions, those
that have emerged from it, and those that may still be called forth. Without a long running
start in history, we shall not have the momentum needed to take sufficiently bold leap into
future. With a study of our history we get a heightened consciousness of our past we get a
clearer insight into the decisions made long ago, which often still control us, we shall be able
to face the immediate decision that now confronts man and his cities.
III. Ancient City Town Planning- MESOPOTAMIA/ SUMERIA
Mesopotamian civilization was in the shores of Tigris and Euphrates river. Each city was
heavily fortified to resist siege of many enemies. The stately palace-temple dominated the
city, and the people lived in dual shadows of slavery and superstitious religion. Economic
hardship added to their burden. Every citizen in ancient Mesopotamia belonged to a particular
temple and its god, and did work for him; the basis of citizenship was this particular
affiliation.
UR CITY
The ancient city of Ur, known as home of Abraham occupies
two hundred and twenty acres. The City is located on the
shores of Euphrates river. Urs maximum population has been
24,000. The size of city was limited by the distance the
assembly drum could be heard. Hence it didnt go beyond
walking or hearing distance. Since religion dominated the
civilization, the planning efforts were also seen only for
religious respect.
Parameters affecting the planning of cities may be listed as geography and location,
religion, security, social and political organisation and mobility. These parameters affect
the plan of the city, streets, houses, public buildings and infrastructure. It is the
geography- plain land near to Euphrates river- that led to occupancy of this land. Religion
and security has exerted the most significance in Sumerian cities. Mesopotamia being an
immobile civilization, the fifth parameter has exerted little effect except that the cities have
organic growth pattern which is a result of a long duration of settlement

Plan Of The City

Ur was a walled city oval in shape. The north west of the city
occupied the temple and palace complex with its open spaces.
Residential quarters were towards the south east of the city. The
constant warfare between the cities was the reason why wall was
a serious installation. In addition to security, wall served a
purpose of clear boundary of life between the urban and the rural
parts. Ur practiced polytheism and religion was the sustenance of
the city. Ziggurat was the religious centre. Little town planning
existed in the city, and that was for the Ziggurat and its allied
forms.
Streets
The streets in Ur had a three level hierarchy- the
processional way, major streets and passageways. The
processional way was the street leading to Ziggurat. Major
streets connected residential centres to processional way
and passage ways are alleys connecting houses. Other than
on the sacred way leading to ziggurat, there was no
regulation on encroachment. This has generated lean-tos were food and other goods were
sold to encroached into the road.
Houses and infrastructure
The Houses in Ur had highly civilised room arrangement which
represent the result of long evolutionary process but were grouped
together in layouts which have grown out of the conditions of the
primitive village and are not laid out on any system of town planning.
Streets that led to the processional way terminated in a block of
residential units, with narrow alleys continuing from that point. The
development of courtyard housing in response to an assumed need for
domestic privacy in densely built up urban conditions, where the
narrow streets would have been noisy. In addition inward looking
houses of Mesopotamia, Indus valley and Greece and warmer part of
Roman Empire encouraged natural air convection giving cooler
internal conditions. The houses in Ur are found to be of 20 % area,
which gave density of from 120 to 200 people per acre, a density
excess of what s hygienically desirable. Sanitation systems were poor
with waste dumping on streets. Other than the open spaces were the
major street ends, the city didnt have any public open spaces. Despite their meandering
and seemingly illogical route structures, these town plans nevertheless clearly conform to
some indefinable natural pattern.
Some other Mesopotamian cities are Babylon, Jerusalem, Uruk and Jericho.

Indus valley

Civilization

Sumerian/ Meso

Egyptian

Greek

Roman

CITY FOCUS

Please Gods , war

among cities

After death, Free living

pyramid,
less
investment
in living

Geography

River valley

River valley, Mountainous No

role,
Urban-rural ,
Compact forced cities
divide
urban form,
stairs

Religion

Planning only for

it,
Ziggurat,
planned sacred
way

Temples are Gods were

only
respected but
permanent
not feared
construction

Invasion and
conquest

Political
system
and
religion stood
equal

Away from
city, grand
temples
Security

Threat from other

cities, High walls
and trenches

No threat of Wall
is Wall began
invasion,
afterthought the city
very
powerful,

Social
and A ruler existed,
Political Org
but not clear
monarchy,
Similar
scale
buildings

Pharaoh was
common
mans
purpose of
living, large
differential
in common
man
and
noble
dwelling

Mobility

Mobile,
Immobile,
Unplanned
investment
grid
iron in city
system for
easy
execution

Immobile
population,
organic
development

Govt of law
determined
by people,
Agora (5%
city area)

Lose
administrative
organization,
Emperor,
,
Noble,
Working class
and slaves

Immobile,
investment in
city

JAIPUR
Location
The city was established in 1729 by Maharaja Jai Singh as the new capital of Kachwaha
dynasty. The city planned in the gridiron pattern was built with extraordinary foresight and
futuristic planning and is probably the only 18th century walled city in India that can still
cater to the present day pressures of vehicular traffic on roads. It included innovative
concepts in traditional planning guidelines along with an appropriate adaptation of the terrain
itself. The site for Jaipur was identified in straight line
alignment to Amber fort and the Mughal centre- Delhi.
The southern limit of the city was set by the East- West
road between other Mughal centres- Ajmer and Agra. The
layout of the city of Jaipur wonderfully links the concept
of a Shastric city with the practicalities of the chosen site.
First, the straight line of the ridge suggested itself as the
route for one of the main east-west thorough fares and
building a road along its crest makes best possible use of
the topography for the purpose of drainage. What
followed then was to regularize the Amber-Sanganer road
as a north-south route at right angles to it. So by extending the N- S road as far as possible
southwards gives the first fixed dimension, the length of a side of a square and so establishes
the size of the unit or module of the city. A road cutting the plain from N to S linking Amber,
the capital to Sanganer, the principal trading town, and this road had to be preserved and
controlled and therefore had to
fall within the citys boundaries.
A second road ran E to W
between the Mughal cities of
Agra and Ajmer and placing the
new city on this already
established communication line
would help secure its economic
success. However since this was an imperial road that could not be encroached on, thus the
city had to be contained to the north of this line.
Plan of the city
The town of Jaipur
is built in the form
of a 9 parts. Nine
signifies
the
9
planets
of
the
ancient astrological
zodiac. Even the
commercial shops

are designed in multiples of nine (27), having one

cross street for a planet. After the slightly
inclined orientation of the city and the city limits,
the division of the city area into 9 equal parts was
done. The ridge in the North West was not
permitting the city to be built in that location and
the city as whole could not be shifted downwards
as the Ajmer Agra road could not be
encroached. Hence one part of the city among the
nine parts was taken to the South East corner.
The two central units were combined as palace
complex to show the significance of palace and
to abide by the nine units number, the third
central part was divided into two. (see fig). Major
factors are also considered are - Contour and topography, Storm water drainage, Climate,
Hydrology and soil. Sun path and wind direction are also given utmost importance.
Streets
A hierarchy of three orders is found in streets of Jaipur. First order street defines the sector
size; second order street defines the neighborhood or block. Regulations of the street pattern
as grid iron and width uniformities were exerted only in the first and second order streets.
Only main roads, major public spaces are controlled. Interior of sector offers enough
flexibility to individual with freedom to
express with moderate control.Gridiron
system is used for road network for
procession paths, which is relevant today
for vehicular traffic. Further in present
system of hierarchy of roads problems
related to traffic are minimal. Internal road
network have hierarchy in terms of access
and privacy, hence at the same time safe
neighborhood is created. All the streets
have certain character that creates every street identifiable.

Arcades

Since walking was the main mode of transportation, arcades as rest places for sitting was
built in frontage to the major streets. The distance between the nodes of the second order
roads was 800 m, which is easily walk able distance. The major streets created natural
shading by facades and first floor projections beyond the ground floor (see fig).

Land Use
The main land uses are residential, commercial and institutional. The first order streets
housed commercial and institutional buildings. Institutions were places at points so that two
access roads are available to the
building. The first order streets acted
as bazaar roads. The intersection of
two bazaar roads created chaupatsgathering place in city.

Amenities and houses

Amenities are provided with respect to king and upper class instead of common man.
Amenities are provided on main road, within 5 minute walking distance. Placement of
amenities was done with respect to function, use and traffic. Further juxtaposition has created
distinct nodes and activity landmarks, which ultimately has created defined path. Thus
socially interactive spaces are created by design, built form definition, open space pattern and
road pattern. Houses are in form of courtyard houses in case of the middle and upper class

and clustered housing with common courtyard in the case of poor. Arid region temperature
and hot winds are kept away with this kind of arrangement.
Built form and plot
Jaipur is an example of dictatorial planning and design. Plots are always kept in proportion
with respect to hierarchy of roads. It has
achieved a regular size and shape of plot
followed by uniform built form; hence plot
size and shape, location gives coherence.
Subdivision of subplots with control on size
and shape is required. The structure of city is
dense yet porous in nature. Compact built
form with plot edge-to-edge construction with
courtyard is logical in hot climate. Pattern is
formed when all the sectors come together.
Further there is coherence between different
sectors having enough variety. There are
binding elements like road pattern, road
hierarchy, built form and open space system.
These strong elements create a whole. Open spaces are distributed, located, allocated as per,
Hierarchy, User group, serving area, Sense of enclosure.

GANDHINAGAR
Location
Situated along the Sabarmati river, the eastern limits to the city was set by the river and the
city plan incorporates the curvilinear flow of the river in one edge of the city.
City Development
Gandhi nagar was master planned in 1966 as the
capital city for state of Gujarat. The new city
would be the administrative centre for the state.
Initially the planning of city was taken up by
Louis Khan, but later some differences between
the development authority and the planner
terminated the execution and the responsibility
of planning was handed over to H K Mewada
and P M Apte. The city was planned for a
population under 1,50,000. The salient features
of the city may be specified as
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Capital complex and public buildings

Population under 20,000
Drainage, electric supply, water supply and sanitation of city
Light industries on north of the city.
Roads, parks and playgrounds.

Streets
The main pattern of roads were to be grid iron, except that the road along the river was to
follow the natural feature forming a crescent, thus breaking the monotony of the state road
while linking the capital complex , governors house etc. Roads are designed not to run
parallel to the boundaries of the capital but 30 degrees north west- south east and 60 degrees
north east- south west t protect motorists from direct glare of the afternoon sun. There is the
three order hierarchy to the road system and it is
strictly enforced. Main roads of 100 m width run a
few in no. in the city. Peripheral roads are sector
boundaries and have width of 65 m. Inner roads are
45 m in wide.
Land use and city structure
The grid iron roads formed 33 sectors stretched
around the central govt. complex. The concept of
planning in Gandhinagar is similar as Chandigarh.
As the figure depicts certain sectors are reserved for
institutional and commercial uses. Each sector is a

neighbourhood unit or called a residential unit is planned in such a way that each zone is self
contained residential unit with a hopping strip and
community centre, a medical clinic, school etc. All these are
located within the limits of distributor roads so that the
pedestrian would not have to cross the road to reach the
neighbourhood community centres. Similar to Corbusier
planning within sector, careful planning of streets are done
(see fig on left); but the housing element planning observed
in Chandigarh does not surface in Gandhinagar. Also, large
open spaces in all sectors, pedestrian ways throughout the
city through green areas as in Chandigarh is absent in
Gandhinagar. Total grid- iron like pattern gave rise to
rectangular open spaces within the city. An open space
distribution of 2 hac/ 1000 inhabitants is observed.
The plan of city also provided for light industries to
minimize pollution from manufacturing and residential sectors in industrial estates so that
worker would have short commutes.