What is a master plan?

A master plan is a comprehensive document that lays out the long-term vision for the development of a city or town. It serves as an invaluable blueprint for civic leaders, corporations, and city councils to guide the road map for infrastructural development, the evolution of roadways and public transportation, upgrading water works, garbage disposal, and city sewage systems, zoning, development of commercial and residential projects, pollution control, and the preservation of the city's ecological balance.

A master plan is established based on a futuristic vision for the growth of the city, taking into account its population, commercial growth, and housing demand. At the core of this vision document is the community of people who make up the city and the technological advances that can transform it into an advanced urban settlement. Let us delve deeper into the importance and advantages of a master plan and how it can influence real estate markets in the city.

Why is it important to have a master plan? 

A master plan can be a powerful tool for urban planning and development and can help unlock the city's true potential. This is a long-term plan, spanning a period of 10-12 years and can be updated from time to time depending on the ground realities, challenges and opportunities faced by city officials.

Having a master plan is crucial because it ensures that the development of the city stays on track, regardless of the officials or politics that may influence the corporation or departments in charge of public works.

Advantages of master planning

• The greatest advantage of having a master plan is that it helps enhance the liveability of the city and creates a better quality of life for the residents. Right from reducing congestion to creating zoning laws for green spaces, from taking steps to reduce pollution to providing basic amenities – the master plan provides for improving lives.
• The master plan provides for preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of the city. Urban planners must look out for preserving heritage buildings and historic sites. This requires both guidelines and standards that may have long-term impacts. The period architecture, the food and festivals of a city depict its character, and this long-term plan will help build on them.
• Master planning initiatives help develop the economy of the city and invite investments into various sectors, including information technology, financial services, industries, hospitality, commercial, and educational services. This is the key to providing for commercial parks and industrial districts and offering the best resources to housing zones and residential townships.
• Another advantage of a master plan is that it creates a blueprint for the future by harnessing cutting-edge technologies. It also helps city officials understand and budget for future developments.

Master plan and urban development

Your city's master plan is one of the most important documents that will set the benchmarks and standards for development and guide policy-setting endeavours for years to come. If you are a city administrator, drafting a comprehensive master plan is your way of putting the city's growth ahead of the individuals or politics that may influence your office.

Master planning and real estate boom

The presence of a publicly accessible master plan has a profound effect on the real estate market. Developers and homebuyers are attracted to areas and neighbourhoods with great growth potential. A clear vision for improving connectivity and providing essential amenities such as water and waste disposal can attract top builders to the city. By utilising natural resources, human capital, and strategic location, a city can achieve growth, which can create countless job opportunities for residents and provide them with educational, medical, and entertainment facilities. A well-planned and future-oriented master plan can significantly expand the commercial and residential real estate market in the city.

Conclusion

The Smart Cities Mission launched by the Government of India in 2015 was the central administration's attempt to prompt state governments and local civic bodies to create a master plan for several major cities and towns in India to grow into thriving, vibrant centres. States like Maharashtra have benefitted by drafting long-term vision plans for cities like Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur.