Physical Planning

By Engr. Rizwan Aslam

 INTRODUCTION
The subject of Physical Planning comprises many
aspects, however designing and planning a town
is the major subject of Town’s Physical Planning.
For designing of towns there are various
fundamental town plans.
 FUNDAMENTAL TOWN PLANS
Satsih Chandra Agarwala says that “Throughout the history of town
planning and town design there emerges some fundamental shapes and
forms of towns in different regions of the world. When we analyze these
shapes and forms of different towns there emerges some fundamental
town plans. These plans are basically involved a basic circulation pattern
in them which is mainly based on their road networks. Some of these
circulation patterns are evident in approximately all cities from which
fundamental shapes of towns emerges.
Basically towns has some specific morphology due to their physical and
geographical conditions. However the physical shape of town can be
visualized through its streets, patterns and road network or mainly with
communication system. In this respect some of the basic shapes and
plans are as follows:
i) Grid Iron Plan:
It is simple rectangular or square plans which is divided into square blocks
around which streets are made by intersecting it at right angles. It is also termed
as “chess board plan”. The grid iron plan is very simple and easy to make plan. It
provides very efficient system of communication and services in the town.
ii) Radial Plan:
The radial plan mainly formed on a local point or node where town has the
tendency of approach roads from various directions. And the growth of town occurs
in the form of ribbon development along these approach roads. The city of Makkah
is the best example of radial plan. The radial plan depends upon the site of town
and the regional road network and approach from other towns to the designed city.
iii) Spider Web Plan:
This plan is the refined form of radial plan; where circumferential
roads are introduced to have a controlled development. This plan
basically develops to avoid the ribbon development and fill the
interstices. Furthermore it provides an efficient vehicular system
in the designed town.
iv) Combined Radial and Grid
Iron Plan:
In this kind of plan the grid iron
plan is overlapped by the radial
plan. It is developed due to
emergence of different nodal
groups and major activity areas
of town and a need is felt to
provide short links or
connection of these nodal
points. Secondly, this kind of
plan develops during the
redevelopment of a town.
London is the best example of
this kind of plan. Where Sir,
Christopher Wren redeveloped
the city after 1666’s great fire of
London.
v) Irregular Plan:
In places where certain natural features (streams, lakes, rocks) does
not permit any geometrical shape or form of a plan there develops
irregular shapes and plan of town. During the planning of town we
come across such types of sites where irregular plan seems more
logical which produce very interesting shape form of city. In such
case a planner develops the city as per geographical conditions so
as to save the time, money and resources.
 Process of Town Design
In the process of town design the first issue is the objective or
purpose of town which should be clearly understood as per
requirements / TOR (Terms of Reference) by the client. Secondly
by considering the future requirements of minimum 50 to 100
years the town design starts. Two more issues are also
considered at the initial stage i.e. climate and relationship of new
town with the existing town. This is due to regional
characteristics of the city. Because a town plan can not be made
without any regional planning. Both tohs and regional are in
separable entities because both have significant effects on each
other. It will provide a basic for selection of site and starting
point for the process of town design.
 SELECTION OF SITE
Basically, the selection of site is based on four
broad factors:
i) Physical conditions of site and its surroundings.
ii) Economic factors regarding execution authority.
iii) Legal implications regarding obtaining land for
town.
iv) Social, community and health factors of future
residents of town and hinterland or region.
i) PHYSICAL CONDITION:
In the beginning it is necessary that a planner should have a clear idea
about the land and topography. This includes soil condition, water
table, bearing capacity of land, floating and geological substrata of the
land. Thus geographical factors play a determining fact in site
selection.
ii)ECONOMIC FATORS:
The institutions of state responsible for planning and development of town must be
asked about their budget and financial positions. So as the decisions can be made
for the Cost of land, cost of development, cost of acquiring ownership, indirect cost
of foundation, grading and preparation of land i.e. removal of water from land etc.
the economic factor is the most decisive factors regarding site selection.

iii) LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

Another major determinant in site selection is to analyze and understand the
legal implications of site selection. Especially it includes ownership rights,
numbers of owners, deed restriction etc. so as after selection of site land can
be obtained without any hindrances.
iv) SOCIAL, COMMUNITY & HEALTH FACTORS:
Finally for the efficient and successful town design project one requires to
know about the people who will inhabit the town and their relationship with
surroundings, community services and facilities available within neighboring
region. The health hazards are also evaluated if any.

FINAL DESIGN OF TOWN

After selection of site its analysis takes place and then
starts site planning. In site planning the first step is survey
and mapping. The survey map has the information that
helps in land use planning and planning for zoning. For
the development of survey map of site, there are various
tools and techniques which requires detailed discussion
regarding surveying and mapping techniques, planning
process its phases and land use and zoning techniques.