Urban planning and development has come a long way as a career opportunity after the launch of urban reforms under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and other Centrally-sponsored programmes. Sidhi Mishra reports
Metro cities, multiplexes, sky rocketing buildings, multistorey parking lots — all this and more infrastructure is an example of a beautiful urban city. But in the making of an urban city, a lot of resources and skilled people are required. The most inspiring example of a planned city is Chandigarh which has been well designed and structured by le Corbusier. However, a lot still needs to be done to most of our cities to make it a better place to live in.
As per National Institute of Urban Affairs, almost 21 per cent of urban population still lives in slums located in high risk areas and lack water and sanitation.
It’s estimated that India’s urban population will reach close to 600 million by 2031. Also, India’s urban sector will play a critical role in the structural transformation of the Indian economy and in sustaining the high rates of economic growth. According to the Mckinsey Report (2010) titled India’s Urban Awakening, urban cities in India could generate almost up to 70 per cent of new jobs by 2030, produce around 70 per cent of Indian GDP, and drive a near fourfold increase in per capita incomes across the nation.
“Urban planning and development is a highly lucrative career option for the aspiring students in both India and abroad. According to Janagrah (2010) around 3,000 planners are needed per year. In comparison, there are only 400 planners produced per year in India. Thus, there is a huge gap between demand and supply for professional planners,” Dr Asmita Bhardwaj, assistant professor-III and international programme coordinator, Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Noida says.
Nature of profession
Urban planning isn’t only about the use of land and adequate allocation for housing, slums and market areas. It’s also about making a wise use of available natural resources, provide for best transportation facilities and analyse the growing population trend. Plans and policies for community and urban structuring is another aspect which one needs to keep in mind. To be an effective and vibrant urban planner one has to excel in presentation and communication skills, should have command over the required software, thorough knowledge of legislation and Government policies and programmes along with the ability of research and data analysis.
“Well skilled urban planners can serve as a boon in a country like India where lack of urban planning has led to inefficient cities where quality of life is in crisis, prices of land and real estate is beyond the reach of many, poverty is proliferating, informal sector is mushrooming, urban transport is in shambles, utilities and services are crumbling,” Dr Binayak Chaudhary, head, department of planning, school of planning and architecture, Bhopal, says.
Job profiles
Dr Bhardwaj says that there are a plethora of job opportunities available in the Government sector. “Government bodies like Delhi Development Authority, National Institute of Urban Affairs, CB Richard Ellis, Cushman and Wakefield, Tata Energy Research Institute, Center for Science and Environment etc, employ planners. The positions include urban, city, transportation, community and regional planner, land use, infrastructure and transportation planning, environmental planning, real estate, historical preservations etc,” Dr Bharadwaj says.
Gautam Bhan, senior consultant, curriculum development and policy and advisory Services at the IIHS adds that private sector rganizations also offer jobs in housing, construction, infrastructure, and consultancy firms. In State agencies and the public sector, a lot of jobs are available in municipalities and urban local bodies. “Another sector of interest can be the Civil Society Organisations which include people working with community groups on livelihoods, advocacy and rights, improved urban services delivery and governance, community empowerment, and social inclusion,” he says, adding that since the launch of second generation urban reforms with Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and other centrally sponsored programmes, the scope of urban planners have widened significantly.
Eligibility required
Students who scored minimum 55 per cent marks in higher secondary with Maths as a compulsory subject can appear for the entrance exam of AIEEE or JEE for bachelor programme. For the masters programme, students can get admission through a good GATE score.
Remuneration
The profession of urban planner offers attractive remuneration starting from `25,000 per month as an associate town planner and can reach to `1 lakh per month as a joint director of town planning.
Where to study
>School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, Bhopal, Andhra Pradesh
>Amity University , Noida
>Center for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad.