← AD (Town Planning)
Past Questions
What is the main concern with ‘microbeads’?
A)
Cause skin cancer in children.
B)
Used as food adulterants.
C)
Harmful to marine ecosystems.
D)
Absorbed by crop plants.
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Definition**: Microbeads are small, exfoliatiing plastic particles (usually made of polyethylene) used in personal care products like face scrubs, toothpastes, and body washes.
2. **Environmental Pathway**: Because of their tiny size, microbeads bypass wastewater treatment plants and flow directly into rivers, streams, and eventually the oceans.
3. **Impact on Marine Life**: Once in the ocean, they are mistaken for food (plankton) by marine organisms. This leads to physical blockage of digestive tracts and starvation.
4. **Bioaccumulation**: Microbeads act as magnets for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the water. When fish eat these beads, the toxins enter the food chain, eventually reaching humans (biomagnification).
5. **Evaluating Options**:
- Option (a) is incorrect; there is no established scientific link between microbeads and skin cancer in children.
- Option (b) is incorrect; microbeads are used in cosmetics/hygiene products, not as food adulterants.
- Option (d) is incorrect; while microplastics can be found in soil, the primary and most critical global concern is their impact on marine ecosystems.
Therefore, the main concern is their detrimental effect on marine ecosystems.
Large-scale state involvement in housing began mainly in:
A)
First Five Year Plan
B)
Second Five Year Plan
C)
Third Five Year Plan
D)
Eighth Five Year Plan
In the context of Indian housing policy and planning, the First Five Year Plan (1951-56) focused primarily on agriculture and irrigation to address food security. Large-scale state intervention in housing and industrialization began significantly with the Second Five Year Plan (1956-61), which was based on the Mahalanobis model. This plan emphasized rapid industrialization and the development of infrastructure, including the creation of planned industrial townships and state-led housing initiatives to accommodate the growing urban workforce. While housing concerns existed previously, the systemic, large-scale involvement of the state in planning and providing housing as a component of national development became a priority during the Second Plan.
Under the EIA Notification 2006, which authority is responsible for granting Environmental Clearance (EC) for ‘Category B’ projects?
A)
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
B)
State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA)
C)
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
D)
State Forest Department
Under the EIA Notification 2006 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), projects are categorized based on their potential impact and scale into Category A and Category B.
1. **Category A Projects**: These are large-scale projects that require mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and are appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at the central level. The Environmental Clearance (EC) for these projects is granted by the **MoEF&CC**.
2. **Category B Projects**: These are projects that are appraised at the state level. They are further divided into B1 (requiring EIA) and B2 (not requiring EIA). The appraisal is done by the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), and the final Environmental Clearance (EC) is granted by the **State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA)**.
**Analysis of other options:**
- **Option a (MoEF&CC)**: Responsible for granting EC to Category A projects.
- **Option c (CPCB)**: The Central Pollution Control Board is a statutory organization that provides technical services to the Ministry and implements air/water pollution laws, but it is not the granting authority for EC under the 2006 notification.
- **Option d (State Forest Department)**: While they may be consulted for forest clearances (under the Forest Conservation Act), they do not grant the general Environmental Clearance for Category B projects.
Which one is not the benefit of environmental assessment?
A)
Reduced cost and time of project implementation
B)
Cost-saving modiûcations in project design
C)
Increase project acceptance
D)
Increase cost of treatment and clean up
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a proactive tool used to identify, predict, and evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project before it is implemented.
1. **Option (a) Reduced cost and time of project implementation:** This is a benefit. By identifying potential environmental hurdles and regulatory requirements early, developers can avoid costly legal battles, project delays, or the need for emergency redesigns during construction.
2. **Option (b) Cost-saving modifications in project design:** This is a benefit. EIA allows engineers to modify the project design at the planning stage (e.g., changing the location of a waste discharge point) to minimize damage, which is significantly cheaper than fixing an environmental disaster after the project is built.
3. **Option (c) Increase project acceptance:** This is a benefit. EIA typically involves public consultation and transparency, which helps in gaining 'social license' and reducing opposition from local communities and stakeholders.
4. **Option (d) Increase cost of treatment and clean up:** This is NOT a benefit; it is a negative outcome. The primary goal of EIA is to *prevent* pollution and degradation. If a project results in increased costs for treatment and cleanup, it means the EIA failed or was ignored. Therefore, increasing cleanup costs is a liability/disadvantage, not a benefit of the assessment process.
Urban flood vulnerability is determined primarily by:
A)
Drainage density and rainfall variability
B)
Land-use intensity and building coverage
C)
River morphology and catchment size
D)
Exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity
In the field of Disaster Management and Urban Planning, 'Vulnerability' is a conceptual framework defined by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction). Vulnerability is not merely the presence of a hazard (like rain) but the predisposition of a system to be adversely affected. It is determined by three primary components: 1. Exposure (the presence of people, livelihoods, and assets in places that could be impacted by a flood), 2. Sensitivity (the degree to which a system is affected, e.g., poor drainage or slums in low-lying areas), and 3. Adaptive Capacity (the ability of the system to adjust, recover, and mitigate damage, e.g., early warning systems and resilient infrastructure). Options a, b, and c describe specific 'risk factors' or 'physical drivers' of flooding, but they do not encompass the comprehensive definition of 'vulnerability' as used in professional disaster management standards.
Which type of housing initiative is designed to provide safe accommodation to working women?
A)
Swadhar Greh scheme
B)
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme
C)
Working woman hostel scheme
D)
One Stop Centre scheme
The question asks for a housing initiative specifically designed to provide safe accommodation for working women.
1. **Working Woman Hostel Scheme (Option c):** This is a targeted housing initiative implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (and various state governments) to provide safe, secure, and affordable residential accommodation to working women, enabling them to pursue employment opportunities away from their hometowns.
2. **Swadhar Greh Scheme (Option a):** This is a shelter-based program designed to provide rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration for women in difficult circumstances (such as victims of trafficking, domestic violence, or abandonment), rather than a housing initiative for employed women.
3. **Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Option b):** This is a social campaign aimed at preventing gender-biased sex selection and ensuring the survival, protection, and education of the girl child. It is not a housing scheme.
4. **One Stop Centre (Option d):** Also known as Sakhi Centres, these provide integrated support (medical, legal, psychological) to women affected by violence. They are service centers, not residential housing initiatives for working women.
Area of a neighbourhood according to C. Perry will be around:
A)
1600 acres
B)
2600 acres
C)
3600 acres
D)
160 acres
Clarence Perry, a pioneer of the 'Neighborhood Unit' concept introduced in the 1920s, defined the neighborhood as a planning tool to create self-sufficient residential communities. According to Perry's standards, the ideal size of a neighborhood unit is based on the population required to support one elementary school (approximately 5,000 to 9,000 residents). To accommodate this population along with necessary open spaces, parks, and local shops, Perry estimated the required land area to be approximately 160 acres per 1,000 residents. For a standard unit supporting a school, this totals roughly 1,600 acres (though some interpretations vary slightly, 1600 is the standard theoretical figure cited in urban planning textbooks for the maximum extent of such a unit). Options b, c, and d are incorrect as they either vastly overestimate the size (making it too large for a walkable community) or underestimate it (making it too small to support a primary school).
In urban water quality management, BOD indicates:
A)
Toxicity level
B)
Salinity
C)
Organic pollution load
D)
Turbidity
BOD stands for Biochemical Oxygen Demand. It is a chemical procedure for determining the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material present in a given water sample at a certain temperature over a specific time period.
1. Why 'Organic pollution load' is correct: A high BOD value indicates that there is a large amount of organic matter in the water, which requires more oxygen for decomposition. Therefore, BOD is used as a direct proxy to measure the organic pollution load in urban wastewater and natural water bodies.
2. Why other options are incorrect:
- Toxicity level: Toxicity is measured by the presence of specific chemical pollutants (like heavy metals) or through bioassays (LC50), not by oxygen demand.
- Salinity: Salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts and is measured by electrical conductivity or titration.
- Turbidity: Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended solids) and is measured using a nephelometer.
Subsidized low-cost housing is considered a ‘merit good’ because:
A)
It generates high profits for developers.
B)
It’s a luxury item with high demand.
C)
It’s socially desirable, improves quality of life, and creates positive externalities.
D)
It’s solely for government employees.
In economics, a 'merit good' is a commodity or service that the government believes is under-consumed if left to the free market, because individuals may not fully appreciate the long-term benefits or because they cannot afford it. Subsidized low-cost housing fits this definition for several reasons: 1) Social Desirability: Access to safe, affordable shelter is considered a fundamental human right and a necessity for social stability. 2) Quality of Life: Stable housing leads to better health outcomes, improved educational attainment for children, and higher employment stability. 3) Positive Externalities: When low-income populations have stable housing, it reduces the prevalence of slums, lowers crime rates, and decreases the burden on emergency public health services, benefiting society as a whole (not just the resident).
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) is incorrect because merit goods are often provided at a loss or subsidized; profit for developers is a commercial incentive, not the reason the good is classified as a 'merit good'.
- Option (b) is incorrect because low-cost housing is a basic necessity, not a luxury item.
- Option (d) is incorrect because merit goods are intended for the broader public or specific disadvantaged groups based on need, not restricted solely to government employees.
The point beyond which irreversible ecological damage occurs in the environment may be termed as:
A)
Environmental carrying capacity
B)
Environmental climax
C)
Environmental Point of No Return (EPNoR)
D)
Environmental threshold
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analysis of the Question**: The question asks for the term describing a specific point in an ecosystem beyond which damage becomes irreversible. This refers to a 'tipping point' or a critical limit.
2. **Evaluating Option (a) Environmental carrying capacity**: This refers to the maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained by that specific environment, given the food, habitat, water, and other resources available. It is about sustainability and limits of growth, not irreversible damage.
3. **Evaluating Option (b) Environmental climax**: In ecology, a climax community is the final stage of biotic succession in an ecosystem, where the community is in a steady state and remains stable until a major disturbance occurs. It describes a state of equilibrium, not a point of damage.
4. **Evaluating Option (c) Environmental Point of No Return (EPNoR)**: While 'point of no return' is a common descriptive phrase used in climate science, it is not the standard technical term used in environmental science textbooks to define this specific ecological concept.
5. **Evaluating Option (d) Environmental threshold**: In environmental science, a 'threshold' is the critical level or point at which a small change in state or stimulus causes a disproportionately large and often abrupt, irreversible change in the state of the system. Once an environmental threshold is crossed, the ecosystem may shift into a new state (regime shift) from which it cannot easily return to its original condition.
Conclusion: Option (d) is the scientifically accurate term for the point beyond which irreversible ecological damage occurs.
Which of these is NOT a component of an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO 14001?
A)
Environmental policy
B)
Resource use, emissions, waste
C)
Financial projections
D)
Management review
ISO 14001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). It follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.
1. Environmental Policy (Option a): This is a fundamental component of ISO 14001. It is a documented statement by top management committing the organization to environmental protection, legal compliance, and continuous improvement.
2. Resource use, emissions, waste (Option b): These fall under 'Environmental Aspects' and 'Impacts'. Identifying how an organization uses resources and generates waste/emissions is the core technical requirement of an EMS to determine its environmental footprint.
3. Management Review (Option d): This is a critical 'Check' and 'Act' phase where top management reviews the EMS to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness.
Financial projections (Option c), while important for general business management and budgeting, are not a requirement or a core component of the ISO 14001 environmental framework. The standard focuses on environmental performance and management processes rather than financial forecasting.
The Stockholm Conference (1972) primarily focused on:
A)
Climate finance
B)
Urban housing
C)
Human environment protection
D)
Biodiversity trade
The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972, was the first major global conference on international environmental issues. Its primary focus was to address the degradation of the environment and the impact of human activity on the planet, effectively linking economic development with environmental protection. This conference led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Stockholm Declaration, which established fundamental principles for managing the human environment.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) Climate finance: This became a primary focus much later, specifically during the UNFCCC processes and the Paris Agreement (2015).
- Option (b) Urban housing: While urban planning is related to the environment, the Stockholm Conference was a broad environmental summit, not a housing-specific conference (such as Habitat I in 1976).
- Option (d) Biodiversity trade: This is specifically addressed by CITES (1973) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), which followed the foundational work of the Stockholm Conference.
Identifying areas where there is high overcrowding, poor condition, or high rent-to-income ratios is termed as:
A)
Housing stress identification
B)
Housing shortage identification
C)
Housing strata identification
D)
Housing requirements identification
In urban planning and housing analysis, 'Housing Stress' refers to a situation where a household's housing circumstances are inadequate or unaffordable. It is specifically measured by three primary indicators: 1) Overcrowding (too many people per room), 2) Poor housing condition (lack of basic amenities or structural decay), and 3) Housing unaffordability (typically defined as a high rent-to-income ratio, often exceeding 30% of gross household income). Identifying these areas allows planners to target interventions for slum upgrading or affordable housing projects.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Housing shortage identification: This refers to the quantitative gap between the demand for housing units and the available supply (the 'housing deficit').
- c. Housing strata identification: This refers to the classification of housing based on socio-economic levels (e.g., EWS, LIG, MIG, HIG).
- d. Housing requirements identification: This is a broader process of determining the total number and type of houses needed for a population based on demographic projections.
Which Five Year Plan first shifted focus from ‘Government-built housing’ to ‘Enabler’ where the state facilitates private and cooperative housing?
A)
1st Five Year Plan
B)
7th Five Year Plan
C)
12th Five Year Plan
D)
3rd Five Year Plan
In the early Five Year Plans (1st through 6th), the Indian government followed a 'provider' model, where the state was primarily responsible for the direct construction and allocation of housing (Government-built housing). However, during the 7th Five Year Plan (1985–1990), there was a strategic paradigm shift. The government recognized that it could not meet the massive housing demand alone. Consequently, the state's role shifted from being a 'provider' to an 'enabler'. In this 'Enabler' role, the government focused on facilitating housing through the provision of credit, land development, and supporting private developers and cooperative housing societies. This shift laid the groundwork for the liberalization of the housing sector and the eventual creation of specialized financial institutions like HUDCO to support diverse housing delivery mechanisms.
The Rio Earth Summit (1992) resulted in:
A)
Kyoto Protocol only
B)
Agenda 21
C)
Ramsar Convention
D)
Montreal Protocol
The Rio Earth Summit, officially known as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. One of its primary outcomes was 'Agenda 21', a comprehensive blueprint for global action in every area in which sustainable development is essential. Other key outcomes included the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the creation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Kyoto Protocol: This was adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, as an extension of the UNFCCC to set binding emission reduction targets.
- c. Ramsar Convention: This is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
- d. Montreal Protocol: This is a global agreement to protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances, signed in 1987.
Housing shortage is present when there is insufficient housing to accommodate the population in an area, which means:
A)
The price is below the equilibrium rent, causing a surplus.
B)
The quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied at a given price point.
C)
The market has a 4% vacancy rate.
D)
All available houses are “katcha” (non-durable)
In economic and urban planning terms, a 'shortage' occurs when the market is in a state of excess demand. This happens when the quantity of a good (in this case, housing units) demanded by consumers at the current market price is greater than the quantity that producers are willing or able to supply.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because if the price is below the equilibrium rent, it causes a shortage, not a surplus. A surplus occurs when the price is above equilibrium.
- Option (b) is correct as it defines the fundamental economic condition of a shortage: Demand > Supply.
- Option (c) is incorrect because a 4% vacancy rate actually indicates that there are more houses than households (a surplus of 4%), which is the opposite of a shortage.
- Option (d) is incorrect because 'katcha' houses refer to the quality/durability of housing (housing deficit/substandard housing), not necessarily a quantitative shortage of units to accommodate the population.
Building bye-laws primarily aim to ensure:
A)
Uniformity in design
B)
ULB revenue
C)
Safety, light & ventilation
D)
Land development control
Building bye-laws are a set of rules established by local authorities (Urban Local Bodies) to regulate the design, construction, and usage of buildings. The primary objective of these regulations is to protect the health and safety of the occupants and the general public.
1. Why 'c' is correct: The core focus of building bye-laws is to ensure 'Habitability'. This is achieved by mandating minimum standards for structural safety (to prevent collapse), adequate natural light, and proper ventilation (to prevent disease and ensure a healthy living environment). These are non-negotiable human requirements in urban planning.
2. Why 'a' is incorrect: While bye-laws provide a framework, they do not aim for 'uniformity in design' (aesthetic homogeneity); rather, they provide minimum standards that allow for architectural diversity as long as safety and health norms are met.
3. Why 'b' is incorrect: ULB (Urban Local Body) revenue is a byproduct of administrative fees and taxes, not the primary aim of the regulatory bye-laws themselves.
4. Why 'd' is incorrect: Land development control is typically the domain of 'Zoning Regulations' or 'Master Plans' (which deal with land use, density, and plot divisions), whereas 'Building Bye-laws' specifically deal with the construction of the structure on that land.
The first national housing policy was formulated during:
A)
3rd Five Year Plan
B)
8th Five Year Plan
C)
7th Five Year Plan
D)
10th Five Year Plan
The first National Housing Policy in India was formulated in 1988, which falls within the timeframe of the 7th Five Year Plan (1985–1990). Prior to this, housing was addressed through various schemes and sectoral goals within the Five Year Plans, but a comprehensive, standalone National Housing Policy was not established until 1988. The policy aimed to provide a framework for the provision of housing for all, focusing on the economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG).
- Option (a) 3rd Five Year Plan (1961-66) focused on general infrastructure and industrialization, not a specific national housing policy.
- Option (b) 8th Five Year Plan (1992-97) occurred after the first policy was already in place.
- Option (d) 10th Five Year Plan (2002-07) focused on sustainable development and urban renewal, long after the initial policy formulation.
Hydel-power plants produce energy that is considered:
A)
Polluting and non-renewable
B)
Non-polluting and renewable
C)
Polluting and renewable
D)
Non-polluting and non-renewable
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Definition of Hydel-power: Hydel-power (hydroelectric power) is energy generated by using the force of falling or flowing water to turn turbines. 2. Renewability: Because it relies on the water cycle (evaporation, precipitation, and river flow), which is naturally replenished by the sun, it is classified as a renewable energy source. 3. Pollution levels: Unlike fossil fuel power plants, hydroelectric plants do not burn fuel and therefore do not emit greenhouse gases (like CO2), sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxides during the electricity generation process, making the energy production itself non-polluting. 4. Evaluating options: Option (a) is incorrect because it is neither polluting nor non-renewable. Option (c) is incorrect because it is not polluting. Option (d) is incorrect because it is renewable. Therefore, option (b) is the only accurate description.
The ‘Housing Backlinkage’ to the economy includes:
A)
Demand for building materials
B)
Demand for travel tourism
C)
Demand for social infrastructure
D)
Demand for education
In economics, 'linkages' refer to the relationships between different sectors of the economy. 'Backward linkages' (or backlinkages) occur when the growth or increased demand in one sector (the final product) creates a derived demand for the inputs, raw materials, and services required to produce that product. In the context of Housing Economics, the 'final product' is the house. To build a house, there is a direct requirement for inputs such as cement, steel, bricks, timber, and other construction materials. Therefore, an increase in housing activity triggers a 'backlinkage' effect by increasing the demand for building materials.
Comparing the options:
- Option (a) is correct because building materials are direct inputs into the production of housing.
- Option (b) is incorrect as travel tourism is not a production input for housing.
- Option (c) is incorrect; while housing and social infrastructure are related in urban planning, social infrastructure is typically a complementary service or a separate sector, not a raw material input for the construction of a house.
- Option (d) is incorrect as education is a social service and not a direct input in the physical production of housing.
BSUP stands for:
A)
Basic Services to Urban Poor
B)
Basic Services to Uplift the Poor
C)
Benchmark Services to Urban Poor
D)
Bridging Services to Urban Poor
BSUP stands for 'Basic Services to the Urban Poor'. It was a sub-component of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) launched by the Government of India. The primary objective of BSUP was to provide basic civic amenities (such as water supply, sanitation, and electricity) and secure tenure to the urban poor living in slums, thereby improving their quality of life and integrating them into the formal urban fabric.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) is correct as it accurately reflects the official nomenclature of the scheme.
- Option (b) 'Uplift the Poor' is a general goal but not the official name.
- Option (c) 'Benchmark Services' is incorrect terminology.
- Option (d) 'Bridging Services' is incorrect terminology.
The 9th Five Year Plan was significant for housing because it introduced:
A)
The National Habitat Policy
B)
Propagation of modern building materials
C)
The concept of high rise buildings
D)
Housing For All (HFA)
The 9th Five Year Plan (1997–2002) marked a paradigm shift in India's approach to housing and urban development. During this period, the Government of India introduced the National Habitat Policy (1998). This policy shifted the focus from merely providing 'shelter' to a broader concept of 'habitat,' which integrated housing with basic infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and social amenities.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option b: The propagation of modern building materials has been a continuous process across various plans and is not the defining policy introduction of the 9th Plan.
- Option c: High-rise buildings are a result of urban density and zoning regulations rather than a specific policy introduction of the 9th Five Year Plan.
- Option d: 'Housing For All' (HFA) is a much more recent initiative, primarily associated with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) launched in 2015, long after the 9th Five Year Plan.
Delhi’s DDA housing layouts broadly follow:
A)
Grid model
B)
Industrial model
C)
Neighborhood unit concept
D)
Radburn model
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) housing layouts are fundamentally based on the 'Neighborhood Unit' concept, popularized by Clarence Perry in the 1920s. This planning model focuses on creating self-sufficient residential clusters where essential services—such as primary schools, local shops, and community centers—are located within walking distance of all residents, typically centered around a school or park. This minimizes the need for residents to cross major arterial roads, thereby enhancing safety and fostering community social interaction.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Grid model: While some parts of Delhi (like Lutyens' Delhi) use a modified grid or radial system, the broad housing layout strategy for residential colonies follows the neighborhood unit rather than a strict, uniform grid.
- b. Industrial model: This refers to zoning for manufacturing and logistics, which is the opposite of the residential housing layouts designed by the DDA.
- d. Radburn model: The Radburn model is a specific variation of the neighborhood unit that emphasizes the complete separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic (cul-de-sacs and superblocks). While some DDA layouts incorporate elements of Radburn, the overarching guiding principle for the general layout of Delhi's residential sectors is the broader Neighborhood Unit concept.
Which Indian city serves as a primary example of ‘Sector-based’ neighborhood planning?
A)
New Delhi
B)
Chandigarh
C)
Varanasi
D)
Kolkata
Chandigarh is the quintessential example of 'Sector-based' planning in India. Designed by Le Corbusier, the city is organized into a grid of self-sufficient 'Sectors' (typically 800m x 1200m). Each sector is designed as a neighborhood unit that provides residents with essential services (schools, shopping centers, health clinics, and parks) within walking distance, minimizing the need for long-distance travel for daily needs.
Why other options are incorrect:
- New Delhi: While it features planned elements (like Lutyens' Delhi), it is characterized by concentric circles and radial roads rather than a uniform sector-based neighborhood system.
- Varanasi: This is an example of an organic, ancient city with a dense, unplanned fabric centered around the ghats and temples.
- Kolkata: This city grew organically over time with a colonial influence, characterized by a mix of planned European areas and unplanned indigenous settlements, not a sector-based grid.
‘Housing for All’ policy was formulated under:
A)
Twelfth Five Year Plan
B)
Tenth Five Year Plan
C)
Eleventh Five Year Plan
D)
NITI Aayog era
The 'Housing for All' mission was formally conceptualized and integrated into the planning framework during the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-2017). The 12th Plan emphasized the need for inclusive growth and specifically highlighted the goal of providing affordable housing to all, particularly the urban poor and the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). This strategic focus later culminated in the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in 2015 to operationalize the 'Housing for All' vision.
Analysis of other options:
- Tenth and Eleventh Five Year Plans focused on poverty alleviation and basic infrastructure but did not formulate the specific 'Housing for All' policy framework.
- The NITI Aayog era (post-2015) is when the policy was implemented through schemes like PMAY, but the policy formulation and goal-setting originated within the framework of the Twelfth Five Year Plan.