Comparative Perspectives on Spatial Planning: Case of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Pune

Abstract

Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban residency, the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas, and the ways in which each society adapts to this change (Burgess, 2004). It can occur either organically or planned as a result of individual, collective and state action making city living highly beneficial. Therefore, it needs to be prepared to absorb huge increases in urban population and resulting pressure on basic infrastructure and livelihood opportunities. In order to secure a better future and to improve the quality of life of all the citizens, city needs to be reinvented, by incorporating creativity and innovation with the approaches, we use in its planning. This paper presents an overview of the progress, challenges and some key interventions to reinvent the city in South Asian region with the examples of good planning practices adopted in Shanghai and Hong Kong. These cities have been known for its efficient spatial planning processes, especially w.r.t land development and execution of plans. By formulating and implementing successful public policies, these cities have shown that better planning of cities can help countries to pave way towards higher economic prosperity, and achieve improved quality of life. Therefore, the selected cities, are taken as the cases, representing a strong form of urban governance and spatial planning being, implemented with relatively high levels of compliance with development control and planning regulations. And for Indian cities not being far away in terms of being developed as global importance, adoption of these good spatial planning practices becomes an inevitable process. There is a need to re-look at the spatial planning regime of Indian cities, and modify it appropriately to not only improve the overall economic growth but to also enhance livability.