Page 75 - Shelter - April 2023

CASE STUDIES

URBAN PLANNING AND BIODIVERSITY –

A CASE OF BHOPAL

DR. SHUBHASHISH Urban development Planning terrain sloping downwards
BANERJEE and biodiversity share a close in north and south-east
directions. The spread of the
interrelationship with each other
DR. KSHAMA and are two facets contesting the City is guided by the hillocks
PUNTAMBEKAR same land. It is a challenge for of varying altitudes situated
the administration and planning in the north-west and the
authorities to maintain a balance south-west portion of the city,
between them. Bhopal, the shaping the morphological
character of the city. These
capital city of Madhya Pradesh
”The threats to this biodiversity is blessed with an abundance of hillocks form a continuous
are mainly due to urban growth water and vegetation within the belt from Singarcholi up to
as encroachment of land for urban area. This Case Study the Vindhyachal range. The
urban growth and developments hillocks can be classified in
over the catchment areas have highlights the need for protection various orders depending
started affecting the water bodies. of biodiversity in sustainable upon their altitude and
Sprawling agricultural activities, urban development and the geographic continuity,
avifauna affected by pollution collective efforts of the people and ranging from high altitudes
and lack of proper & effective administration in conserving the with moderate slopes to
management mechanisms are riches. gradual slopes with more or
equally detrimental.” less flat lands. The major soil
INTRODUCTION types are clayey and loamy
soil. Deccan trap basalt and
Bhopal, the capital city of Vindhyan sandstone are the
Keywords: Urban Planning, biodiversity, Madhya Pradesh (India), is main geological formations
Bhopal, Sustainable Development located at an average elevation
of 427 meters (1401 ft) on hilly found in Bhopal. The
Dr. Shubhashish Banerjee (banerjee.tncp@ topographical characteristics
gmail.com) is an architect planner, and terrain within the Malwa of Bhopal can be described as
the Joint Director, Town and Country Plateau (23 16’N, 77 22’E). follows:
Planning, presently posted as deputy This City is well connected
Secretary, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, with all other major cities of 1st order Singarcholi (Manwa
Department of Urban Development and India by rail, road and air.
Housing. He is also the Chairman ITPI, MP Bhand), Lalghati, Idgah,
Chapter and National Council Member, The city has a Municipal and Fategarh situated to the
ITPI. area (administrative area) of north of the upper lakeat
298 square kilometers and a high altitudes, with moderate
Dr. Kshama Puntambekar (kshama@
spabhopal.ac.in) is an architect planner, population of 1,795,648 (as slopes;
and is working as faculty in Department per the 2011 census).
of Urban and regional Planning,School of 2nd order Shyamla,
Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. The City is situated in hilly Dharampuri and Arera Hills

April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 73