Town planners body hosts talk on land pooling in urban planning

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, July 4

The Punjab chapter of the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) hosted a talk in Chandigarh on the system of land pooling process and implementation of town planning schemes in Gujarat, one of the most urbanised states in the country, recently.

The talk was delivered by N K 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.

Gurpreet Singh, former Chief Town Planner of Punjab, and Pankaj Bajwa, Chief Town Planner of Punjab, along with the members of ITPI and invited dignitaries, had a discussion with N K Patel on “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.”

Addressing the gathering, Patel said, “As India becomes rapidly urbanised, land management in cities has become critical to ensure planned development. Land pooling and town planning schemes are an effective land management tool.”

“There are several advantages of the town planning mechanism. It is a win-win for all the stakeholders. Developed land remains with the original owner, while the local urban body can raise funds by selling the unused land and finance the development. The land is also reserved for public purposes such as schools, parks, playgrounds, hospitals, etc., and housing for economically weaker sections as a result,” he added.

The ITPI president also made a presentation about the various aspects of land pooling and town planning and explained the nitty-gritty of the highly complex and technical process.