3. Episode 1: Planning Theories

Planning tools have been known in India long before Europe. Planning treatises were already codified in early Vedic times. This codification connects to Hinduism describing the social structure as well as the ideal form of cities and villages quite precisely. The division of society into different castes also generates rules of conduct between castes. Not only is each individual obliged to live in accordance with rules applying to their caste, there are also a multitude of rules on how to deal with members of other castes. This in turn has implications for the usage of space and influences various aspects of the settlement area and thus its shape. In addition, many Hindu rites and ceremonies have a spatial character. Through diagrams, the mandalas, the believer is made aware of the connection between the human world and the cosmos. Such mandalas can range in size from that of a small picture to encompassing an entire city and are a second source for planning. After introducing mandalas in general, some theoretical urban mandalas are discussed. Then, some of the theoretical texts on town planning are highlighted. Indian planning treatises go far beyond the mere description of settlements, but also deal with a multitude of other aspects, such as how to depict deities and their seats. The chapter ends with a brief description of the profession of town planners. They had a high status in Hindu society, because a town planner needs to know exactly about the connection within society, between the gods and the world, in order to be able to plan cities and villages.