Assessing the role of Master Planning in 5/50/100/200 Acre land
Master planning process allows for a planned development of a plot by utilizing its social and economic potential. Strategic development of large acres of land is crucial as the functioning of the township depends on its planning. The outcomes of the planning strategies are consequently seen when the plot is used by its residents; hence it is important to plan beforehand to predict any disorders in the functioning of large land areas. Master planning of townships include residential and commercial spaces with additional infrastructure, supportive to these spaces like- schools, healthcare centers, wellness amenities, religious structures, etc. This subsequently gives rise to employment opportunities that forms a community.
The initial step in developing a master plan of any acreage requires a comprehensive study of the following reports or surveys which are significant factors of consideration for planning large townships.
1. Feasibility report: This provides information about the extents of the permissible built-up areas. This is derived according to the plot area and the regional building regulations.
2. Land Survey: This study gives data about the topography and soil type of the plot. These specifications then help in deciding the type of building foundations, drainage layouts and planning of vehicular and pedestrian pathways.
3. Climate: According to the location of the plot, the seasonal wind direction, sun path analysis and data about natural calamities of the region can be analyzed by a site analysis report. Along with this, demographics,neighboring infrastructure trends and growth patterns can also be studied to build townships that form a part of the existing infrastructure. Upcoming surrounding structures and decibel levels help in the determining the private, semi-private and public zones.
4. Client and Project requirements: It is important to understand the needs and concerns of the region to develop a holistic master plan for the community. These factors along with the requirements of the client must be compiled that serve as guides to develop a layout that is responsive to the needs of the region.
Plot areas ranging between 5 acres to 200 acres, evidently demand different approaches to planning strategies; although the preliminary study of determining the permissible FSI/FAR remains common for all. Depending on the area of the plot and the FSI/FAR rules of the region,
the permissible density of the population that the plot can hold is calculated. This data gives a clear picture for the space allocation requirements. This is a crucial step as it plays an important role determining the amount of resources, infrastructure and sq.ft space that would be required to sustain the total number of residents in that plot area. When the number of tenements is increased to maximize the FSI, the plot area remains unchanged which puts a strain on housing and transportation which is detrimental to the well-being of the living community as a whole. For 5-50 acre plot areas, housing along with supporting amenities proportional to the population are required to be planned. As the area increases, from 50-200 acres, additional infrastructure like-
(i) Primary education: so that all children in the community have access to educational facilities. (ii) Healthcare facilities: to provide for immediate medical help for large townships in cases of emergencies. They must be provided at important street nodes for ease of access. (iii) Religious Buildings: Places of worship play an important role in providing social belongingness in a community and hence must be considered as important infrastructure in large townships.
(iv) Electrical substations: In order to provide electrical connection to large acres of townships, infrastructural space for electrical HT/LT panels must be allotted.
Residential townships create communities. Master planning, by incorporating design elements or strategies, can help in providing belongingness, safety and social life to these communities that enhance the living experience of the residents. Following strategies when incorporated can help in the making of townships that are not just enclosed spaces for living but a harmonious balance of built and unbuilt spaces.
1. Designing with nature: It is crucial to consider the site ecology while developing large acres of land. Collaborating with various specialists provides the optimal design for the specific location of the plot. For example, while designing open landscape spaces, architects, arborists and horticulturists work together with the technical specifications, during the planning process. Likewise, in the planning of road and building construction structural engineers along with MEP consultants provide details for the various systems for a smooth functioning.
2. Balance between Commercial and Overall development: The amenity spaces provided in a township should have a variety of recreational and commercial spaces that respond to the demographic. As the plot area increases, the typologies of the infrastructure must also include educational buildings, institutional buildings, etc.
3. Division of Spaces for Residents: While planning residential townships, it is of utmost importance to consider the proportions of amenity spaces provided according to the tenement density. Along with the amenity planning, density of vehicular and pedestrian traffic must also be considered for the road planning. The percentage allotment of the sq.ft. space must comply with the regional space regulations according to the density of the population that the plot will hold.
4. Common Spaces/ Play Areas: Outdoor open spaces provide common points of gathering and connections to nature. Such common spaces are enablers of social belongingness
and community life. They provide opportunities of interactions within the community and act as connecting links for people. Considering today’s urban fabric, these spaces must be incorporated as the lack of such open spaces can led to social isolation among residents.
5. Organic Development: A layout that is not structured allows in creating interesting visual perspectives. When the residential building blocks are placed one after the other, the array of structure can appear monotonous and intimidating as a whole. Whereas, when one block leads to another through curvilinear or staggered paths, it creates a variety in the perspective. It also allows for the formation of interesting sciography.
6. Easy Flow of movement: The planning of the connectivity to the various spaces in the township should allow for easy navigation. Street planning with easy access to spaces frequently used by the residents must be placed in the vicinity. The movement of the residents, through a vehicle or by foot, must not fully rely on signages. Through design, we can create a cognitive memory of the physical space by relating to elements of the surrounding like landscape or built structures. This provides confidence to the residents in navigating in their own community which facilitates belongingness.
Master planning involves a comprehensive study of the region’s statistics and collaboration with various stakeholders to make the optimal use of the plot to create thriving townships. It is drafted to create a harmonious functioning of the it's town considering available resources proportion. The design should aim to responsibly translate itself with active co-operation and participation by clients, concerned professionals and planning authorities.
The initial step in developing a master plan of any acreage requires a comprehensive study of the following reports or surveys which are significant factors of consideration for planning large townships.
1. Feasibility report: This provides information about the extents of the permissible built-up areas. This is derived according to the plot area and the regional building regulations.
2. Land Survey: This study gives data about the topography and soil type of the plot. These specifications then help in deciding the type of building foundations, drainage layouts and planning of vehicular and pedestrian pathways.
3. Climate: According to the location of the plot, the seasonal wind direction, sun path analysis and data about natural calamities of the region can be analyzed by a site analysis report. Along with this, demographics,neighboring infrastructure trends and growth patterns can also be studied to build townships that form a part of the existing infrastructure. Upcoming surrounding structures and decibel levels help in the determining the private, semi-private and public zones.
4. Client and Project requirements: It is important to understand the needs and concerns of the region to develop a holistic master plan for the community. These factors along with the requirements of the client must be compiled that serve as guides to develop a layout that is responsive to the needs of the region.
Plot areas ranging between 5 acres to 200 acres, evidently demand different approaches to planning strategies; although the preliminary study of determining the permissible FSI/FAR remains common for all. Depending on the area of the plot and the FSI/FAR rules of the region,
the permissible density of the population that the plot can hold is calculated. This data gives a clear picture for the space allocation requirements. This is a crucial step as it plays an important role determining the amount of resources, infrastructure and sq.ft space that would be required to sustain the total number of residents in that plot area. When the number of tenements is increased to maximize the FSI, the plot area remains unchanged which puts a strain on housing and transportation which is detrimental to the well-being of the living community as a whole. For 5-50 acre plot areas, housing along with supporting amenities proportional to the population are required to be planned. As the area increases, from 50-200 acres, additional infrastructure like-
(i) Primary education: so that all children in the community have access to educational facilities. (ii) Healthcare facilities: to provide for immediate medical help for large townships in cases of emergencies. They must be provided at important street nodes for ease of access. (iii) Religious Buildings: Places of worship play an important role in providing social belongingness in a community and hence must be considered as important infrastructure in large townships.
(iv) Electrical substations: In order to provide electrical connection to large acres of townships, infrastructural space for electrical HT/LT panels must be allotted.
Residential townships create communities. Master planning, by incorporating design elements or strategies, can help in providing belongingness, safety and social life to these communities that enhance the living experience of the residents. Following strategies when incorporated can help in the making of townships that are not just enclosed spaces for living but a harmonious balance of built and unbuilt spaces.
1. Designing with nature: It is crucial to consider the site ecology while developing large acres of land. Collaborating with various specialists provides the optimal design for the specific location of the plot. For example, while designing open landscape spaces, architects, arborists and horticulturists work together with the technical specifications, during the planning process. Likewise, in the planning of road and building construction structural engineers along with MEP consultants provide details for the various systems for a smooth functioning.
2. Balance between Commercial and Overall development: The amenity spaces provided in a township should have a variety of recreational and commercial spaces that respond to the demographic. As the plot area increases, the typologies of the infrastructure must also include educational buildings, institutional buildings, etc.
3. Division of Spaces for Residents: While planning residential townships, it is of utmost importance to consider the proportions of amenity spaces provided according to the tenement density. Along with the amenity planning, density of vehicular and pedestrian traffic must also be considered for the road planning. The percentage allotment of the sq.ft. space must comply with the regional space regulations according to the density of the population that the plot will hold.
4. Common Spaces/ Play Areas: Outdoor open spaces provide common points of gathering and connections to nature. Such common spaces are enablers of social belongingness
and community life. They provide opportunities of interactions within the community and act as connecting links for people. Considering today’s urban fabric, these spaces must be incorporated as the lack of such open spaces can led to social isolation among residents.
5. Organic Development: A layout that is not structured allows in creating interesting visual perspectives. When the residential building blocks are placed one after the other, the array of structure can appear monotonous and intimidating as a whole. Whereas, when one block leads to another through curvilinear or staggered paths, it creates a variety in the perspective. It also allows for the formation of interesting sciography.
6. Easy Flow of movement: The planning of the connectivity to the various spaces in the township should allow for easy navigation. Street planning with easy access to spaces frequently used by the residents must be placed in the vicinity. The movement of the residents, through a vehicle or by foot, must not fully rely on signages. Through design, we can create a cognitive memory of the physical space by relating to elements of the surrounding like landscape or built structures. This provides confidence to the residents in navigating in their own community which facilitates belongingness.
Master planning involves a comprehensive study of the region’s statistics and collaboration with various stakeholders to make the optimal use of the plot to create thriving townships. It is drafted to create a harmonious functioning of the it's town considering available resources proportion. The design should aim to responsibly translate itself with active co-operation and participation by clients, concerned professionals and planning authorities.