Modern Town Planning & Its Principles

Ghulam Mustafa Mari (17CE70), Musawar Ali Khoso (17CE04),

Aftab Mahesar (17CE16), Rouhan Oad (16-17CE32), Ali Balaj (16-17CE110)

Abstract. The purpose of this study is to plan a town in an organized way. An

unplanned town or city can cause loss of wealth. In 19th century in Europe an
unplanned and explosive growth of cities caused waste of extreme wealth. In this
study certain principles are mentioned to avoid such destruction of cities. For
example planning with haphazard methods, interact of authorities, zoning system,
adequate space, Public convenience, Green belt etc. It is concluded that adopting
these techniques will provide a town all facilities, save lives and avoid waste of
wealth.

1. Introduction

Modern town planning is all about planning a town so that it give a beautiful look
and it fulfils the needs of people. A good town is one which provide all the basic facilities
of life. A planner just not plan a town but he plans it in such a way that the town become
alive because it will be part of people’s life. It should satisfy climate and other factors of
which a planner has to take care of. Modern town planning is something in which modern
principles of town planning are involved. This does not mean that old towns were not
planned but modern towns and cities have different needs than that of previous ones such
as greater traffic fast transport etc. Some examples of planning a town are given below
in the fig.1, fig.2 and fig.3.

Fig.1: Planned Town

 Fig.2 Planned Town

Fig.3: Planned Town

2. Evaluation of Town Planning:

Town Planning actually means to organise a part of land which fulfils the basic
facilities of residents of a town. In the ancient time people were not so much developed
as now but in spite of that the planners used to plan towns in such a way that individuals
get all required facilities and the town would provide a beautiful sight. In 19 th century,
In Europe and North America unplanned and explosive growth of cities caused waste of
extreme wealth and poverty side by side. At that time the disordered `cities were
responsible for unhealthy environment. In later half of 19th century, Areas reserved for
recreational purposes became standard part of town planning. In 1850 New York’s
Central Park (fig.4) which was designed by the architects Culvert Vaux and Fredrick
Law Olmsted, stood as model for other cities to follow.
 Fig.4: Central Park New York

After the end of World War II European Countries started to reconstruct their towns.
Before and after views of some of the buildings from different towns such as Old Town
Hall, Old Town Square, City Hall Building and Republic Square are given below in
following fig.5, fig.6, fig.7 and fig.8 respectively. One can easily see the difference of
environment and beauty between both views. From this we can see that as time passed
towns were planned in more beautiful, healthier and attractive way.

Fig.5: Old Town Hall

 Fig.6: Old Town Square

Fig.7: City Hall Building

Fig.8: Republic Square

3. Main Principles of Modern Town Planning:

Modern towns are shaped in such a way that provide all the basic facilities of life
and to overcome other problems such as increasing population, wastage etc. in this regard
planning of modern towns is based on some principles which help the planner to plan a
city in the most effective way. These principles also take care of objects of town planning
which includes beauty, convenience, environment and health. Those principles are
discussed below.

 Interact of Authorities
 Zoning System
 Adequate Space
 Basic Facilities and Public Conveniences
 Free From Slums
 Green Belt
 Refuse of Town

3.1 Interact of Authorities:

During planning there should be responsibility and interact with authorities to
make it well controlled and use resources to regulate lay out and growth of towns.
They should make decisions of various disciplines of town planning for future uses.
Authorities should make efforts for successful town planning in order to encourage
all commercial, industrial and other business enterprises which will become cause
of property and wealth of town. Complete facilities should be introduced by
authorities in town such as water supply, transport, electricity etc.

Fig.9: Interaction of Authorities

3.2 Zoning System:

It was first adopted in 1916. Zoning system serves as essential part of town
planning so as city should be divided in commercial, industrial, residential and
 agricultural zones as shown fig.10 below. It provides a specific areas to perform
specific activities. Zoning system helps us to utilize land in right way. We have to
plan to construct buildings at right place. For instance we cannot construct a school
beside a cinema hall.

Fig.10: Zoning System

3.3 Adequate Space:

It is very important to reserve space for public use. Adequate space is provided
for public recreations. For example gardens, parks, play grounds etc.

Fig.11: Adequate Space

3.4 Basic Facilities and Public Conveniences:
These are the essential; requirements for town planning. All possible facilities
should be introduced such as hospitals, educational institutes, water supply, drainage,
transport services, roads, markets and shopping centers etc. modern example of this
is Bahria Town Karachi in Pakistan.

Fig.12: Bahria Town Karachi

Fig.13: High School at Bahria Town

 Fig.14: Public Convenience

3.5 Free From Slums:

These are residential areas where houses are badly disintegrated. Extreme
poverty, crime rates, high rates of birth are observed in that region. For slum
improvement there should be slum clearance schemes. In modern town planning
slums should be restricted. If slums are existing in town should be removed.

Fig.15: Slums

3.6 Green Belts:

Green Belt is used for special purpose of limiting growth of city. It is under
authority of City Corporation. They provide protection to roads from commercial,
industrial and residential places.
 Fig.16: Green Belt

3.7 Refuse of Town:

All solid and liquid refuse including animal refuse (bones, hairs, skin),
vegetable refuse and other organic and inorganic refuse cause the unhealthy
environment of the town as shown in fig.17 Fig below. Many waste products such
as glasses, metals etc. should be removed because these kind of refuses are very
dangerous for the health. There should be a proper arrangement to overcome this
problem like in fig.18.

Fig.17: Refuse of Town

 Fig.18: Proper Arrangement for Refuse of Town

4. Conclusion:

From this discussion it is concluded that in the modern town planning main
principles of town planning should be adopted. All the basic facilities should be given to
the people. A town should be planned according to the objects of town planning which
include beauty, economy, convenience and health. If a planner follows the principles of
modern town planning and covers all the objects then his planned town will become an
ideal example for other planners. A well planned city can provide the safety of lives and
it also can reduce cost.
References

Book: Town Planning by Shahane

Fig 1: http://users.trytel.com/tristan/towns/images/tint5_3.jpg
Fig 2: https://skymetweather.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/52.jpg
Fig 3: http://www.brixx.international/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Town-Planning-and-
Urban-Designing.jpg
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upload.s3.amazonaws.com/DQmWxBiupSPN83LCrNU1SqkDywQYzhjgmDU3F8HX
f2i5N7a
Fig 5: http://www.ww2inprague.com/_/rsrc/1321835323230/BEFORE-AND-
AFTER/radnice%20siroka%20ram10%20900.png
Fig 6: http://www.ww2inprague.com/_/rsrc/1321835323230/BEFORE-AND-
AFTER/star%204us%20ram%2010%20900.png
Fig 7: http://www.ww2inprague.com/_/rsrc/1321835323228/BEFORE-AND-
AFTER/admin%20ram%2010%20900.png
Fig 8: http://www.ww2inprague.com/_/rsrc/1321835323229/BEFORE-AND-
AFTER/annex%20ram%2010%20900.png
Interaction of Authorities: http://media.springernature.com/lw785/springer-
static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs40984-016-0014-
2/MediaObjects/40984_2016_14_Fig11_HTML.gif
Zoning System: http://marsborough.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Mars-Borough-
Zoning-Map.jpg
Adequate Space:
https://www.ioby.org/files/styles/gallery_large/public/rainey.jpg?itok=7suh4k07
Slums: http://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/3225-Top-5-Worst-
and-Largest-Slums-in-the-World-%E2%80%93-Karachi-at-no.-1.jpg
Green Belt: https://encrypted-
tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQwfG223osaRP6iYEhKii1vQVTCM9OkG8
dOhE3dxzXuY8p112aAg
Refuse of Town: http://l450v.alamy.com/450v/c5gp67/refuse-in-residential-street-left-
uncollected-due-to-strike-by-bin-c5gp67.jpg
http://c8.alamy.com/comp/F1203K/bin-men-on-thier-refuse-collection-round-in-a-
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wVIOLPPTj7p_tjCMDKwh9m8egEB55nWQb2Zx7tw
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content/uploads/2014/11/Bahria-Town-Karachi-Image.jpg?fit=719%2C404
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content/uploads/2017/07/roots-bt-karachi-concentrate-1024x640.jpg