An approach to regional planning in India

Abstract

The need for a more balanced spatial growth pattern in Karnataka is shown by applying Zipf's law to the Indian State of Karnataka, with the result demonstrating Bangalore's increasing urban primacy. The authors review the literature on promote more equitably distributed growth, primarily the European polycentric model, to conclude that it is a 'wicked problem' that requires multiple perspectives, including systems dynamics and institutional economics approaches as well as traditional regional and land use planning. This requires new participatory techniques, and simulation, computation, and games can provide increased opportunities for more diverse inputs and analysis. They argue for authorities to pursue their planning processes with a view of the region as a complex system with many interconnected parts, and to consider using computation as a means to enable participation and integration.