Peri-urban interface: exploring the determinants towards a policy level approach

Abstract

Conventionally, world-wide settlements are classified into ‘Urban’ and ‘Rural’, majorly on the basis of population, population density, occupational structure and administrative status. Peri-urban area is generally defined as areas lying in the periphery or outskirt of the urban area, which are interrelated with their parent city. In absence of clear definition, familiarity as a part of settlement classification, clear delineation in City Master Plans / Regional Plans, these peripheral areas are still not recognized effectively by city administration and urban development authorities. This results in unplanned, unregulated spatial expansion of towns and cities. This research undertakes the issue of peri-urbanization of Chandigarh, India; a unique context to understand and analyze peri-urban developments, where its peripheral towns are falling within 16 km radial boundary and the settlements are not limited within the administrative boundary of the city of Chandigarh but spreads in the adjoining states. To formulate the research proposal, a total of 16 peripheral towns which fall within the 16 km radial peripheral boundary around Chandigarh have been taken into consideration to frame the proposed clustering as well as model. The analysis of collected data is done through graphs, maps and statistics. Statistical analysis is done using statistical analytical software MINITAB and accordingly the proposed model is developed. The research finally culminates into the three planning proposals – (1) identifying relevant planning parameters, on the basis of which homogeneity among the peri-urban settlements around the city of Chandigarh is analyzed; (2) accordingly clustering of settlements is formed and hence a model of peri-urban settlement typologies is defined and delineated in the form of physical planning and finally (3) formulating a futuristic model for delineation of peri-urban interface in the Rural-Urban-Classification (RUC) framework for Chandigarh on the basis of a specific planning parameter. Such new planning parameter can be also adopted as additional criteria along with the existing parameters of the Rural-Urban definition. The new scientific achievements of this research can ensure sustainable urbanization at peri-urban interfaces in India. Keywords: Planning Model, Planning Parameter, Rural-Urban Classification.