CHAPTER I

URBAN
*
PLANNING
*w *-* -jr «.~m-a»u.T<c «t-a

Introduction

Objectives

Delects of the ex is bing city

Services of the other experts

History of urban planning

Physical setting of Gadag - Betgeri city

a) Location

b) Situation

o) Plysiography and Drainage

d) Climate
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CHAPTER _~JE

URBAN PLANNING

Introduction!

Urban planning is the theory and practice of the planning

and construction of cities, towns and populated places providing
comprehensive solutions to socio-economic, samxation hygienic,
civil engineering, transportation and architectural problems
connected with design and. construction '(Rimsha A, p.9, 1976).

City planning and development to be a vital aspect of modern

living and thus building of cities has bocone one of the great
undertakings of civilisation. Socio-economic aspects consist
i
population distribution and growth, sanitation - hygienic task
include creation of the most healthful conditions for the popula­
tion, planning protective green belts between residential and
industrial territories and determining areas requiring antimalarial
treatment, landscaping, as well as measures for controlling noise
and preventing soils, atmospheric and water pollution. In areas
of hot climate, the solution of sanitation-hygienic problems may
be greatly facilitated by creating a suitable micro-climate solar
protection optimum orientation of build ings, proper isolation,
drainage of water impoundment and use of favourable wind conditions,
economic land use, and rational organisations of cultural and
service facilities.
 3
Civil Engineering is concerned with the study of the
topographical and geological engineering conditions of a
territory for an urban centre, the state of the art of modern
building technology, development of an efficient system of
transportation and pedestram traffic, measures for site
development and engineering infrastructure (Water supply,

sewerage, gas, heating and cooling, electric power supply,

weak current communications, etc,), including the architectural

plan structure of the developing urban centres.

Architectural artistic aspects include solution of

the general plan structure, highway and street networks,
functional pattern of the various parts of a populated place
and organisation of its centre, account being taken of local
natural climatic features, customs and traditions and cultural
monuments of the people living m human settlements, without
a compresensive solution of Town planning, an artificially
created environment does not provide the inhabitants with
normal conditions for daily living, work, rest and recreation.
(Rimsha *A., p.10, 1976)•

The word town planning is commonly used to indicate

arrangement of various components or units of town m such
a way that the town as such attains the significance of a
living organism. It consists of ways and means to be
adopted for die improvement of the existing forms or for the
extension of towns. Town planning requires a fine imagination
 4

and common sense of the understanding of various needs of the

society occupying or likely to occupy the town. Town planning
is a science as well as an art. This science consists in
collecting, correlating and analysing the facts about a town,
(Rangwala S.C. p.l, 1983).

Science and art should join their hands and work as

ccopartners in the task of town planning. The ideals of town
planning are beauty, convenience and health.

While planning for beautiflcation^a town, planner has

to achieve by taking ‘the most possible advantages of the
natural conditions surrounding the town and also by giving
architectural fimsnes to various components of town. The
object of convenience is to consider economic, social and
recreational amenities to be provided for the people. While
considering for hea3 thy environment planner to look into the
proper use of landuse by providing parks, playgrounds and
avoiding all the pollutent factors. These three objects of
town planning should be implemented by maintaining the balance
between them. In the present days of rapid urbanisation the
planning of urban centres must attract: the highest attention,
(Pathak C.R, 1983). Educating the people in this respect is

very important aspect of urban development Peter Absercombie

said that improved architecture, both civic and individual,
depends upon education of the general public and the architects,
 o

the one to desire and the other to provide good buildings.

This ideas indicates the role of citizen and the planner.

Town planning can be understood from many different

angles such as legal, historical, sociological, architectural,
economic etc. Planner would think bj all means of planning
process under what stage planning could be done for assigned
woifc. Town and country planning seeks to proffer a guiding
hand to the trend of natural evolution, as a result of
careful study of the place itself and its external relation­
ships. The result is to be more than a piece of skilful
engineering, or satisfactory hygiene or successful economics;
it should be a social organism and a work of art^ Urban
planning has to be done for two type of settlement, such as
planning for new town and planning for builtup town. At
each stage of planning he has to see the resources and
requirements of towns. While planning for a new town, planner
would do as per his choice and necessities but for built up
towns he faces number of problems of above said angles of urban
development. The present study comes under vhe second
category of planning* Replanning of the existing town is a
very difficult 30b, and the planner has to take care of
rectifying the errors which have accumalated m the urban
centre.
 6
Qbfi ecfives i

The objectives of planning of present existing Gadag*-

Betgeri city are as follows t

1. To correct the past errors as far as possible.

2. Tu provide civic aesthetics of the town*

3* To attempt an orderly appropriate and balanced

arrang ements of landuse•

4. To develop healthy attractive and efficient

environment in.the city.

5. To promote a high level of culture.

6. To create and maintain an attractive central core

and make it the cultural, financial, commercial
and entertainment centre.

7. To provide an interrelated balanced transportation

system Adequate to meet the needs of everyone in
the urban community.

8. To encourage the attraction, retention and expansion

of a sufficient number and variety of industries and
business activities to provide jobs to the people
and to get more income to Municipality.

9. To create a sense of dignity, identity, pride

and responsibility m the social environment.

10. To suggest the schemes which will control the

future growth and development of the city.
 7

11. To Insure against the possible future errors.

12* To concentrace for development of full potentials

of human resources through wide variety of programmes,
facilities and other incentives.

13* To establish and maintain a c on sis tan t housing

policy providing for decent houshing open to all
persons m the community at reasonable prices and
rents.

14. ' To encourage vigorous programmes of inspection,

maintenance of health environment in ‘the city
measures will be suggested.

15. Suggestions will be given to provide maximum housing

fanilities as per the income through various concerned
authorities.

16. To encourage the development of neighbourhoods as

social and recreational units and promote the neigh­
bourhood organisations and involvement in the improve­
ment of local services, facilities, transportation
and living conditions.

17. Suggestions will be made for effecient transportation

facilities in the city including new roads, widening
the roads repairing maintenance depending upon the
loca.lities and functional zones.
 8

18. To develop parks and recreation facilities to optimum

standards based on lobal needs, preserving as mapy
N*

sites of natural and historical significance as

possible.

19. To provide maximum educational and medical facilities.

20. To provide maximum utility service facilities to

reach all people of th<- city.

21. To promote maximum co-operation between Government

and public to get the benefits of development schemes
of urban development.

t, 22. To impliment effective measure of slum clearance

programmes in the city and controlling the further
development of slum in the city.

23* Suggestions will be made to demolish old structures

of public and private houses.

24. To suggest relocation, redevelopment and renewal of

plan structure in the city.

25. To create maximum green and open spaces in the

urban limit.

26. Measures will be suggested to controll the pollution

of air, water, noise etc.

27 . Improvement and modernisation of water supply,

sewerage, electricity etc., will be suggested.
 9

28. Improvement of site development for residential

industrial, public and semi-public use, reads etc*,

Defects of the

3he above obnects of urban p lanning are based on the

existing defects of Gadag-Betgeri City* These defects as
mentioned below are noticed at the time of survey work*!

1- Lack of essential amenities like electricity, water

supply and drainage.
2.' Uncontrolled development of the town.

3. Unhealthy conditions,!

4*. Development of slums.1

5Defective road system resulting in the formation of

narrow streets and lanes.*

6. Heavy traffic congestions during the peak of hours

of working period.

7. Haphazard location of some industrial units of

small and medium scale.

8. Inadequate open spaces for parks and playgrounds.

9.' Noisy atmosphere in some localities.

oH•

Waste disposal problems.*

11.1 Housing problems.!

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12. Lack ox public awareness for Community benefits and

exploiting means of amenities and utility service
facilities provided by the concerned authorities.

13. Lack of engineering infrastructure.

14. Inadequate vare houses and industrial sites.

15. Defective locations of schools.

16. Inadequate space on the main roads for footpath and

town squares, circles etc.
Services, of, other, exports?
In the process of urban planning number of planning
principles have been suggested by the rep uted urban planners.
These principles are taken into account while planning Gadog-
Betgeri city. To mention some of them such as Sir Ebenzer Howard,
Pattric Geddas, Le Corbusier, Pa trie Abercrombie, Clarence stein,
\

C.R.Pathak, John Ormsbeo Simonds, P.D.Spreiregon Aia, F.Gibberd,

K.S.Ramqgouda, K.V.Sundaram, Rimsha, Rangawala, etc., These
planning principles have helped the researcher m combining
some of basic aspects of planning in Gadag-Betgeri City, Without
considering the measures suggested by different experts, urban
planning will be incomplete, as the principles and practices are
based on the local conditions of the respective individual towns
and c 1 ti.es ♦

Urban planning is a team work which consists of expertise

of (l) Engineers, (2) Architects, (3) Geographers, (4) Economists,
 A ii
(5) Sociologists* (6) Administrator and legal expert. Each

would contribute his expertise in the process of urban planning.'

In the present study also all the points of suggestions and ‘"v

constraints will be taken into account while planning measures

are adopted.- In this regard if we look into the statement of
Lewis Mumford, we will be clear about the role of different
disciplines. As Mumford states,s,!Sie city in its complete sense,
then, is a geographic plexus, an economic organisation, an
institutional process, a theatre of social action and a esthetic
symbol of collective unity. On the one hand it is a physical
frame for the common place domestic and economic activities; on
other it is a- consciously dramatic setting for the more signi­
ficant actions and the more sublimated urges of human nature”•
Henry S Churchill says that a city plan isthe expression of the
collective purposes of the people who live in it, or it is
nothing urban planning combines both scientific and artistic
talency. filter Gropius says nGood Planning I conceive to be
both a science and an art. As a science, it analyses human
relationships; as an art, it coordinates human activities into
a cultural synthesis,1 Hence the function of urban planning is
a work of interdisciplinary in its nature.

-His tory of urban planning s

If we see the history of urban planning in ancient

medieval, modern and current periods we come to know that this
has been dune by the experts belonging to different discipline
philosophers, like Socrates and Plato in the Greek period or
 12

Chanukya in the Maury a period in India, along with several other

authors have made outstanding contribution oh the subject of
Town Planning, (Candhi M.K., p.25, 1973)* They pointed that

influencing factor of urban is the character and culture of

people, Political system, Religion, Trade and Commerce, lastly
science and technology have determined Town Planning in its
physical f^rm,

In ancient India, the subject of Town Planning was termed

as ’ Sthapathyam ' and was regarded as one of the Upa Vedas of
the Artharva Veda. Her art and religion were closely associa­
ted and it was the obligation of her people to adopt their
sooial, economic and political organisation to suit the require­
ments ~f their religion. It was believed that the Arts of Town
Planning originated from ’Brahma’, the creator who taught this
science to several sages (rishis), (Reddy.G.V. 1966). These

rishis imparted the knowledge acquired from Bramha to their

disciples who m their turn recorded them in writing for the
beautifying their progcncy. This has been justified that the
writings of various scholars of ancient India depicts the
literature ab rut Town planning m Mayamatam, Manasara, Vastu
Vidya, Silpa Vignana - Sangraham, 'Agnipuranam, Bevi-Puranam,
Maha Bharata, Ramayana, Arthasastra ^f Kautilya etc.

The abv.vc said literature clearly tells us about the

persons responsible f^r the prentice w>f town planning and their
 13

measures of size and shape, types of towns, matters concerning

the town planning, layouts of towns, site selection, places of
temple, residential and other landuse pattern. Bechan Dube
(1967) has also m his recent contribution has described about

the town planning m India.

Subsequently from ancient to present, Town planning

measures and practices have been adopted up till now with
certain modificati ;n depending on physical and cultural
environment. In the present study also the researcher has
taken care to plan properly the urban planning of Gadag-Betgeri
city. Aj^I^eliovc this is the first attempt in India by indi­

viduals in T.wn Planning aspects.

In view of its fast growing p mtion all the aspects of

existing condicions of Gadag-Betgeri are studied into greater
detail. Then planning has been suggested by the researcher. It
is an interdisciplinary approach to carryout the planning
principles end practioes suggested by the author.

The latest rules and regulations passed regarding

urban planning have bec-n taken into account while suggesting
various measures f^r the urban planning of Gadag-Betgeri city.
In the following analysis physical, social, economic Condi^r-uns

are discussed. Then planning measures for this builtup town

are suggested.
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Physical Setting of Gadag-Betgeri City;

Physical setting plays a very important role in the urban

development of a city or a region* The study of physical aspects

comprises location or site, situation, relief, soil, climate,

vegetation and resources. These are the most important factors
of urban development at the first instance, social or cultural
factors play the next important role in the urban development*
In the present study researcher deals with the physical aspects
of Gadag-Betgeri city and their role m the urban development*
j

Location %

The city has a place of pride on in the map of Northern

Karnatak State, (Kulkarni.K.M, p.ll, 1959). It is located at
15° 26* N Latitude and 75° 40» E longitude. It is at 700 mts.

from the mean sea level. It is a taluka headquarter m Eharwad

district of Karnataka State (Figil).

Situati on:

It is situated on the Railway lines of Ribli-Guntkal

and Hubli“»Bioap ur at a distance of 62 km from Hubli and on
Hibli-Bellary state highway (FigJ.2). It occupies a central
place for the eight talukas around it. The nearest big city
is Ribli-Lharwad with a population of 5 lakhs and linked with

4
16
 17

Gadag-Betgeri in almost all urban activities. It is situated

in a rich agricultural background and connected with in all
109 places by daily buses which consist of settlements within
the district, outside the districts in the state and outside the
state also, such as ffrderabad, Solhapur, etc. Because of its
commercial importance it is connected to almost all district,
headquarters. The * Kundeksr* Commission* appointed for
reorganisation of districts has already recommended Gadag-
Betgeri to form as a district headquarter. Execution is awaited
by the Government of Karnataka.

Presently, it has a status of a subdivisional headquarter

in the district. It is an important railway junction connecting
Hubli-Eharwad, Solhapur, Guntkal which are leading to Bombay,
Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Marmgoa etc., respectively.
Bangalore is at a distance of 480 kms, Dharwad 80 kms, Belgaum
150 kms, Earwar (Port) 230 kms, Badami 80 kms, from Gadag-

Betgeri city.

Phvsiographyi and. .hrainage :

The topography of the city and its immediate surroundings

is almost plain (Photos i 1 to 4). It is located between Kappata
hills' in the south and Badami hills m the north, (Kulkarni.K.M,
1959). Kappata hills located in the close vicinity of Gadag are
 18

1.1. panoramic view on Western side of Gadag-Betgeri

1.2. Panoramic vi ei/v on Eastern side of G-adag-Betgeri

19
comparatively small hillocks. The soil in the region is mostly
black~ootton except small patches of red soil with gravels in
the region, (Porur,N.G- & Others, p.lSB, 197c2). Eastern part of

the oidy consist red soil and extension area of this portion is
called even today as "Masari area," a local term used for red
soil. Rich deposits of iron and manganese ore are found in the
neighbouring district of Bcllary. Flat topped Kappat hills are
irreguler and base aspect of hill area is duo to gneissic form­
ations. The rocks of this region have undergone extenslvo
metamorphism. The highest point is about 900 mts from the M.S.
level marked on Ksppata hill ranges on the south eastern side.
The general slope of the region!is varies from 650 - 740 m'ts.
dP>cj.-l-3)
The gentle slope is towards the west. Residual hills are
found near the city on the sou thorns idc.
*

The region is a part of Eastern Deccon plateau predomin­

antly underline by gneissic rocks. The above residual hills
ore the result of erosional work un the topography. Forest is
totally absent m thu area. Recently under social foresting
tree plantation has taken piece along highways and slopes of
hills in the region.

There are no rocks m the vicinity xf Gadag-Bctgeri.

The nearest rivers arc the Tungabhadra m the cast and the
 21

GADAG BETGERI AND ITS ENVIRONS

Fig.V3
 22

Malaprabha in the north both flowing at a distance of about 50

kms* from the city. There is a proposal to supply water from
one of these two rivers to the city* Hirehall which joins
Tungabhadra river flows near the city from south to north.
Another stream known as Manvi-hall flows south to north and
joins Hirehalla.

Climatet

Climate is affected by geographical latitudes elevation,

above the sea level, numerical characteristic of the physical
state of the atmosphere, its temperature (Solar activity),
humidity, winds and precipitation, (Riinsha A, pp.17-18, 1976).

Climate has a considerable influence on animal, the life of

man and his economic activity climatic factors with other
socio-economic conditions are important decisive aspects m
the selection and development of ary urban centre, (Karennavar
M.F, 1985). The combined climatic conditions of a region small1-^

m area or the part of region characterizes the microclimate

of a particular place. The principal meteorological factors of
a microclimate are temperature, humidity, mean radition
temperature, velocity of air movement and level of light
intensity and distribution. Micro climate is considerably
\

affected the terrain of the place (north or south, slope,

valley or upland) ground and soil conditions, plant life, the
 23

building pattern of the town, degree of air pollution etc# The

microclimate of an urban territory is regarded as the result
of the interaction of natural and Town planning factors such
as water impounding, landscaping, asphalt paving, building
density etc. The basic components of the climate of Gadag -
Betgeri are dealt with as follows:

As Gadag “Betgeri is located in the tropical belt radition

has played an important role during summer season. Bonce the
city experiences hob climate ard high water evoporation during
summer and winter. Table 1 depicts the elements of climate of
Gadag-Betgeri city. The year may be broadly divided as follows.
The hot season from middle of February to end of May with harsh
East winds till the middle of the April and thunder sheers
during the rest of the period, the south west monsoon season
from Juno to September when the climate is cool and damp, post
mnnsoon season with north East rains in October and November?
and the cold season during December, January and the first of
the February.

Temperature varies from 22° C to 30° C. May is the

hottest month and December is the celdest m.math* The annual

mean temperature is 26°C. The annual rainfall is about 664 mm.
maximum rain occurs m the month of September. The annual
relative humidity is about 6l%* The maximum R.H.occurs m the
 24

Table

Months Mean Averag e Average Mean Station

Temp, Relative Rainfall Wind level
in °C Hun id ity in MM. speed pressure
........ % . . .. T...
January 23.5 45.5 2.4 7.5 940.3

February 25.8 42.5 1.6 7.1 939.1

March 24.3 44.5 6.6 8.1 937.4

April 26.3 51.0 34.7 10.1 936.3

May 29.6 63.5 82.4 13.8 934.5

June 26.3 78.0 73.2 18.2 933.4

July 26.5 78.5 70.9 19.6 933.8

Aijgust 25.2 77.0 83.4 17.5 934.5

September 25.6 74.5 133.2 13.6 935.5

October 25.5 66.0 130.1 7.8 937.6

November 24.2 55.0 36.6 7.0 939.3

December 22.4 52.0 ' 9.2 7.6 940.5

Annual 26.0 61.5 664.0 11.4 936.3

Sources Meteorological Office, Gadag, 1984.''

 MEAN MONTHLY RAINFALL RELATIVE HUMIDITY
AND TEMPERATURE OF

GADAG-BETEGERI - 1981 Fig. 1*4

RELATIVE HUMIDITY
C)
TEMPERATUREC
(m m )
AVERAGE RAINFALL
 26

month of July and lowest is m the month of February* As a

result of these characteristics, city enjoys hot weather
during summer, moderate cold during winter season. The predo­
minant wind direction is from west. The maximum wind force is
generally in the month of July when it reachs about 20 km/h.
The mean wind speed is 11 km/h. In January and February,
(FigMf). Wind are mainly Eastern. In March' winds blow from

East. Eran April to September Western winds blow. From

October to December winds blow frum East. Other weather elements
are given in Table 1. On the whole climatic factors have
influenced much fur the development of city. It is a fast
growing city in the state. Since it is situated in the rich
agricultural resources, there is lot of scope fer further
development of agrobased industries.
■ /