PRACTICAL # 01

SURBEY OF UNPLANNED AREAS IN THE CITY TO STUDY THE IMPACT ON THE

ENVIRONMENT
THEORY
Unplanned area has been defined in various ways depending on the planning and legal
framework of a country where it exists. For the purposes of this study we define unplanned
areas, as areas where housing is not in compliance with current planning and building
regulations (unauthorized housing). They are characterized mostly by the low quality
houses and the lack of, or inadequate infrastructure and social services. Informal
Settlement has been perceived both as a problem and solution to housing needs in
speedily growing cities of many developing countries.
Unplanned areas have a significant impact on the environment. It gives rise to
environmental problems which are mostly local in nature. They may include accumulation
of waste in the neighborhood due to inadequate waste collection facilities, poor drinking
water quality which give rise to water borne diseases, inadequate drainage facilities
causing accumulation of sewerage water, lack of recreational, health and educational
facilities, encroachment into agricultural land causing loss of habitat, over exploitation of
natural resources, heightened temperature in the area due to dense housing pattern etc.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Stationery, Camera, Google Maps of the Area, Questionnaire, GPS

PROCEDURE
1. Select an unplanned area of the city as your study area.
2. Before leaving for survey collect information about the study area using Google
Earth and previously published data.
3. After reaching the study area introduce yourself to the locals of the area and brief
them about the objectives of your survey.
4. Request one of the local people to accompany your group during the survey.
5. Record your observations in the table provided in the observations column and
support your observations by taking suitable photographs.

6. Conduct interviews from the locals of the area by using the questionnaire
provided as Annexure A.

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OBSERVATIONS
Study Area:
Instructions: Record your observations for the environmental impacts of
unplanned areas against each type. Where no impact was observed mention the
same.
1 Pollution of Water
Sources

2 Deforestation

3 Pollution from Solid

and Liquid Wastes

4 Encroachment of
Good Agricultural
Land

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5 Accessibility

6 Availability of
Recreational
Facilities

7 Over Exploitation of
Natural Resources

8 Air Pollution

9 Noise Pollution

10 Increase of
Temperature in the
Area

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ANNEXURE-A
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR GETTING PRIMARY DATA FROM LOCALS

Note:

a) For effective public consultation meeting, coordinate with the target community at least two days earlier for the meeting and venue
identification.

b) The Peron (s) who is/are conducting the public consultation need to get the help of a local elder who will help arrange people for
conducting consultation session.

c) Carefully ask and listen the local people, residents and interested groups about their views and write their view on the template given
below. The meeting must be supported by photographs, names of the participants, fathers names and contact numbers

d) Respect local customs while conducting consultation sessions.

A - SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE AREA

1. What is the estimated population of your area?
2. What are the major sources of income in the your area?
B - SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE STUDY AREA
1. How do you dispose of solid waste generated from your homes?
2. Does the municipility regularly collect domestic waste from your locality?
C - OVER EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
1. Is the quantity of water availabale for domestic use sufficient?
2. Is the quantity of natural gas availabale for domestic use sufficient?
3. How is the electricity supply in your locality?
4. Are there any direct lines (kundas) used for obtaining electricity in your
locality?
5. What are the sources of water supply in your area?
D - ENCHROACHMENT OF GOOD AGRICULTURAL LAND
1. Is there any good agricultural land in the area?
2. Has any any good agricultural land in the past been encroached for building
houses?

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E - POLLUTION FROM LIQUID WASTES
1. Is there a drainage system available in your area for diposal of sewerage?
2. If no, how is the sewerage diposed of in your locality?
3. Has any incident occur in the past where leakage of sewerage line has
polluting domestic water supply?
4. Are water borne disease like cholera and typhoid reported in your locality?
F - ACCESABILITY IN THE STUDY AREA
1. Are streets in your locality narrow or broad?
2. How is the network of roads in your locality?
3. Is the road network regularly maintained by the government authorities?
G - AVAILABILITY OF RECREATIONAL SITES
1. Are there recreational facilities available in your locality like as parks and
playground?
2. If no, where do children in your locality go to play?
H - AIR POLLUTION IN THE STUDY AREA
1. Is there any small industry located in your locality generating significant air
pollution?
2. Is wood used for domestic cooking in your locality?
I - NOISE POLLUTION IN THE STUDY AREA
1. Is the overcrowding in your locality creating noise which becomes a
nuisance and interferes with your privacy at home?
J - INCREASE OF TEMPERATURE IN THE STUDY AREA
1. Has the unplanned and haphazard high density of concrete structures
within your locality given rise to a high temperature in the area?

URBAN PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT | ENV 410