Assessing the applicability of form-based code as an urban planning tool

Abstract

Urbanisation in India is at a very fast pace and according to the World Bank’s report, 90 million people were added in its urban areas during the last decade and it is projected that 120 million more will be added by 2030. Some researchers are concerned about the unprecedented expansion of these Indian cities without much emphasis given on their built form and the surrounding physical environment which leads to degradation of the liveability experience of the residents. Urban form and development pattern of Indian cities are regulated through quantitative tools of land use zoning and development control parameters without due consideration of the qualitative aspects of living. Sometimes due to these missing aspects of urban pattern, built-form inevitably follows an unguided manner and form follows function and not in tandem. Form-based code is an alternative method for regulating land and built form development to create more vibrant places as mentioned in the National Urban Policy Framework, 2018. Deriving from the concept of New Urbanism, Form-Based Code (FBC) is proved to be a powerful tool countering the conventional approach to enhance the quality of life with more predictable built form and public realm in an urban area. The thesis has made an attempt to understand the concept of FBC as a current practice across the world. Various elements of FBC are identified through case examples and an attempt has been made to validate their significance in the existing built environment of a brownfield study area of Bhopal City. A detailed documentation of selected area in terms of their existing built form, street patterns and activities, and public spaces has been done through primary surveys and analysed their influence on urban form at three different level: Local, Block and Premise level. Also, people’s perception about their built environment and their willingness to adopt the aspects of FBC has been captured through visual preference surveys and analysed through psychometric scaling technique. Reviewing and understanding the existing planning system and development code (Development Control Regulations and Bhoomi Vikas Rule) followed in Bhopal has led to identification of gaps in the legislative framework. The study concludes with incorporation of FBCs in the existing DCR and Building Byelaws, to create a more responsive urban form and integrate it in the planning process at the local level through a community participatory approach.