9. Preparation of Town Planning Schemes—An E-Democracy Framework for Citizen Centric Planning

Cities are for citizens and also ‘by & of’ its citizens. However, citizens’ participation which is one of the key agenda of Good Governance is generally in conflict when it comes to urban planning process which is more technocratic with a top down approach. Citizens generally are more aware and concerned about private interest rather than city as whole when they participate about the Development plans and neighborhood when we consulted on the Town Planning Schemes (TPS). In the context of Urban Planning when the plans are laid out, regulations are drafted which is meant for the citizens ought to ensure the factor that these documents are “by” & “of” the citizens indicating proper consultation in the process. Gujarat has been one of the progressive states of India so far as rate of urbanization is concerned and Town Planning schemes which have been practiced since early twentieth century has been a model for other cities. Practitioners state that the process for preparing a TPS as prescribed in GTPUDA (Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act, [3]), and its rules, seem to be a complex and long process involving over 50 steps that can take a maximum of four years and one month as provisions of the GTPUDA, but in practice takes much longer. Administrators of central government are leading to educate Indian citizens to practice the excellent platform of E-Governance, which shall enable the citizens to express their thoughts and willingness in a more free way. The intention of this chapter is to throw light on ICT, specifically the planning process adopted in a fast growing state of Gujarat. Apart from that, issues regarding E-Democracy initiatives are also addressed. Though the process of E-Governance is in its infant state from user’s point of view, but this will surely gain momentum in the days to come. This practice will instil high-democratic values and plan implementation within desired time frame.