DYNAMICS OF

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URBAN SPRAWL
IN THE PERI-URBAN
AREA OF PUNE, INDIA
Ar. Megha Gaikwad
Asst. Professor,
Indira College of Architecture, Pune
[email protected]

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ABSTRACT concentrates more people on less land even as total
As contemporary cities grow, a global concern is how to manage land devoted to urbanization expands (Dutta, 2012).
agricultural land and resources for urban development. With
social, economic, and environmental implications, this topic is The United Nations estimates that between 2010 and
of particular concern in India, where cities are rapidly expanding 2050, India's urban population would grow by about
due to the country's already massive population growth. Pune city 500 million people. Urban land expansion due to
is a major education and IT hub, and its growth has a significant urban population increase has put a strain on many
impact on the peri-urban area. This paper attempts to address countries' agricultural resources. Agricultural land
the gap by studying both physical and social implications of is under threat from intensification, abandonment
agricultural land loss in the peri-urban area of Pune. The study and extensive degradation, in addition to conversion
employs a qualitative research design, relying on an ethnographic to urban uses. From 9.36 million hectares in 1951 to
approach, with a mix of GIS mapping, direct observation and semi- 22.97 million hectares in 2001, the area of land used
structured interviews with peri-urban residents, and meetings for non-agricultural purposes has more than doubled
with key informants. The results show that although agricultural (Pandey, 2014). According to data from the agriculture
land loss due to urban growth has been gradual in the past, it’s ministry, it’s evident that India’s agricultural land has
expected to rise in the future as the populations grow. The been shrinking. The data shows that 20 states recorded
research also looks into investigating the possibility of reorienting a 790,000 hectare decline in cultivable land in the four
urban growth trajectories in an agriculture cohesive direction. The years between 2007-08 and 2010-11. Since 1995-96,
author proposes that effective land use management strategies the average size of a land holding has declined from
are essential for preserving prime agricultural land. 1.41 to 1.15 hectares (Koul, 2017).

Key words: Urbanisation, Urban sprawl, Farmland loss, Peri- Furthermore, Bhartendu Pandey's (2014) research
urban, Integrated gathers compelling evidence about the impact of
urbanization on agricultural loss at the national
1. INTRODUCTION level. According to him, through spatio-temporal
The rural–urban interfaces around the world are patterns, farmland loss is significant in a few states. He
undergoing tremendous alterations. In the developing characterized the spatio-temporal variation between
world, urbanization has emerged as a major driver states after estimating agricultural land loss for each
of agricultural transformations, with conflicting year. The loss of farmland was concentrated in seven
results on production landscapes and livelihoods. states, with Maharashtra suffering the greatest losses.
By 2030, urbanization is expected to result in a loss The district level analysis shows that agricultural land
23 23
of 1.8 to 2.4 percent of global cropland, with 80 conversion to urban uses is focused in some districts
percent of this loss occurring in Asia and Africa (Patil, and states. During the period 2001-2010, the author
2018). Urbanization causes cities to sprawl over the found numerous areas that encompassed relatively
surrounding hinterland. ‘Sprawl’ refers to any type tiny but fast developing cities that consumed prime
of development that has an impact on open space, agricultural fields. This includes the districts of Nagpur,
agricultural land and ecologically sensitive habitats. Pune and Thane (Maharashtra), Lucknow and Kanpur
Simply put, as the population increases in an area or a (Uttar Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Ludhiana (Punjab)
city expands to accommodate growth, this expansion and others. These findings suggest that agricultural
is considered as ‘sprawl’ (Khare, 2016). Land-use land transformation is focused primarily on states with
changes are especially noticeable in areas adjacent to strong economic growth. Indeed, states with a higher
shifting urban boundaries, which are variously referred percentage of total GDP contributed by the service
to as urban fringes, peri-urban interfaces, or rural- sector, or the combined service and manufacturing
urban interfaces (Patil, 2018). sectors experienced greater agricultural land loss due
to urbanization.
Within Asian countries, India, which has a
predominantly agrarian economy, is experiencing One such city in Maharashtra is Pune, which has been
rapid urbanization. Combined with significant experiencing rapid urbanization. The factors causing
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economic and industrial development, this has urban sprawl in Pune are high rates of urbanization, JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
driven major urban expansion in India over the last low prices of land outside city limits, unplanned land
few decades. According to the Census 2011, India's development, lower taxes, availability of uncultivated
urbanization has accelerated faster than expected. land, and so on. Pune has grown incrementally with the
Since Independence, for the first time, the total need for housing and other services being organically
increase in urban population has out-paced that of met by local developers and residents. There is an urgent
the rural population. There are currently 53 million need to regulate the urban sprawl that has characterized
or more cities, accounting for 43% of the urban Pune's growth. Nevertheless, many researchers have
population. This has far-reaching implications attempted to answer the question of urbanization
for urban infrastructure and other civic amenities. and farmland loss through either the geo-informatics
Residential and commercial development is rapidly approach or social survey approach. The author strives
displacing agriculture and other undeveloped lands for a holistic approach that includes a technical method
around them. The issues like urban sprawl, loss of as well as public opinion. The present study aims to
vegetation and a decline in environmental quality investigate the physical and social implications of
can be attributed to rising population density, which farmland loss due to Pune city sprawl.
AUGUST 2022

AUGUST 2022 2. PUNE

Pune, the second major city in Maharashtra after
Mumbai, has a population of around 5 million people
and is located 163 kilometres or approximately 100
miles east of Mumbai. Pune is a thriving centre for higher
education and also a manufacturing powerhouse. In
recent decades, the city has witnessed a high rate
of urbanization, coinciding with its emergence as a
regional and national hub for information technology
and biotechnology, while maintaining strong ties to
agriculture. (Sami, 2013). In recent times farmers in
Pune have been important players in the city's real
estate development industry.

National economic liberalisation policies, which

started in the early 1990s, have resulted in several
multinational corporations seeking a foothold in the
Indian market. They found Pune to be an appealing
location due to its proximity to Mumbai and a ready
pool of highly skilled labor. Demand for housing and
office space skyrocketed, and the city government,
which had planned for urban infrastructure and
development in Pune, was unable to keep up. This led
to the perfect opportunity for the private sector to fill
the void (Sami, 2013) (see figure 1).

To comprehend the overall urbanisation of Pune,

one must first understand the catalyst for growth.
Looking at the overall growth of the city from the pre-
independence period to recent times many influences
led to this growth. In the year 1820, Pune was the
capital city with the Peshwas and wadas as dominant
24 24
characters. The city was divided into 18 peths, which
is termed the core city. In 1924, a new bridge across
the river in front of Shaniwar Wada accelerated
development across the river. When the villages of
Erandwane and Bhamburda were incorporated into
the city limits in the same year, the move across the
river became official and planned development took
place (Mundhe, 2017).

Mundhe (2017) further explains that the catastrophic

flood of July 12, 1961, had a critical impact on Pune's
development. The Panshet and Khadakwasla dams
broke and their waters flooded the city, destroying
most of the older part of the city. The flood washed away
up to 75% of the houses, bridges, and green areas near
the river. Many people relocated from flood-affected
areas to safer wards such as Kothrud, Erandavana,
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and Shivajinagar, contributing to the city's physical

growth. The pattern of means of transportation, such
as railways and highways, had a significant influence
on post-independence industrial and residential
growth. Pune began to attract foreign capital in 1990.
The greatest growth occurred following the IT boom
and the establishment of two major IT parks, Hinjewadi
and Magarpatta.

Adding to this, recently the state government

approved the proposal for the merger of 23 villages
within the Pune municipal limits, which took place in
2017, incorporating 11 villages. Experts, however, have
questioned the need for the merger, referring to the fact
that the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development
Figure 1: Evolution of Pune city (Source: Author)
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Authority is managing the peripheral areas. The
merger will only add toPune Municipal Corporation's
(PMC) already-heavy burden of managing the current
area and population with inadequate resources and
manpower. In addition, PMC will need to find funds
to develop essential amenities in the merged areas.
These 23 villages are currently experiencing haphazard
development. There are illegal structures everywhere,
and farmlands are being encroached upon due to poor
supervision and stringent regulations (TOI, 18 Dec.
2020).

The two main characteristics of a city's urbanization are

urban sprawl and population growth. The population
of Pune city as per provisional figures of Census India,
2011 is more than 3 million. The city's population has
increased more than sixfold in the last 60 years, from
0.48 million in 1951 to 3.11 million in 2011; this is
attributed to advanced economic activities. (Pune Figure 2: Growth Direction of Pune city
Municipal Corporation, 2012) Like many other cities, (Source: Pune Municipal Corporation, 2012)
Pune is experiencing considerable growth due to
migration as well as natural increases. The decade trend Primary causes of urbanization are population eruption,
of population growth of Pune Municipal Corporation migration from other places, industries, economy and
from 1991 to 2021 is shown in Table 1. proximity to resources and basic amenities. These
characteristics gave different directions of growth
Pune's population in 1991 was 15.66 lakhs, and 38 such as the IT park and industries that have led to
villages were added to the old PMC area in 1997. In 2001, major growth toward the area of Hinjewadi, MIDC,
the population was 25.38 lakhs. The key contributors Chakan and Magarpatta. The growth is restricted in
to population growth were natural growth, moderate the northeast owing to the airport causing height
migration and territorial expansion. The urban core restriction and in the south due to ecological factors
population is likely to decline in the future, while the like forest and hilly terrain. Based on evidence an
suburban and urban fringe populations are expected to intense urban growth being visible along the northwest
25 25
grow faster (Pune Municipal Corporation, 2013). The corridor in recent decades. Hence, Bhugaon a small
graph of Pune city's demographic growth trend shows village, located on a similar growth corridor is analyzed
a steep decline from 50.08 percent decadal growth rate to understand the prevailing situation of farmland loss.
in 1991-2001 to 22.73 percent decadal growth rate in
2001-11, which may be attributed to the development 3. STUDY AREA
of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Bhugaon lies in the Mulshi taluka of the Pune district
as an industrial centre. Pimpri-Chinchwad could be of Maharshtra. It is located west of Pune, 3 kilometres
considered an emerging counter magnet to Pune city. from Kothrud. The rapid growth of the city's IT industry
(Pune Municipal Corporation, 2012). Through urban has resulted in increased demand for homes across all
growth studies, it’s easy to anticipate and forecast future parts of Pune. The majority of the IT hubs are located
changes or trends in development and understand the in areas such as Hinjewadi, Hadapsar, Aundh, Kharadi
impacts of future development. This study includes and Phursungi, and as an outcome of this growth, the
demographic growth, urban sprawl, economic hubs, demand for home seekers has rapidly increased. Because
infrastructure, industries and proximity to resources of the large IT sector in the Hinjewadi area, the outskirts
and basic amenities (see figure 2). have changed their appearance and adopted the growth

Table 1: Population of Pune city

JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

(Source: (Pune Municipal Corporation, 2012)) JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

Area under city Decadal growth rate

Year Population
(sq.km) (%)
1950 488419 125.00
1960 606777 125.00 24.23%
1970 856105 138.05 41.09%
1980 1203363 145.92 40.56%
1990 1691430 146.00 40.56%
2000 2538473 243.84 50.08%
2010 3,124,458 243.84 22.73%
2021* 43,70,721 Approx. 331 39.8%
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AUGUST 2022 culture. Nearby areas such as Wakad, Bavdhan, Pashan,

Sus, and Bhugaon have created a demand for real estate
home seekers. Bhugaon is currently one of Pune's most
appealing investment hotspots. Over the last two years,
contemporary residential structures have mushroomed
in the area due to its proximity to major economic
hubs and city. Many high-end developers have entered
the Bhugaon and introduced new gated community
projects (Squareyards.com, 2017).

The village is located on the fringes of Pune within

commuting distance from the heart of Pune city. A
base map showing the boundary demarcated by
the Bhugaon gram panchayat and other existing
components (see figure 3). The images represent the
research area, which includes a lake, a river, an old
gaothan area, a built-up zone, farmlands, a forest
area and road networks. The section of the study zone
showcases the change in the skyline with high-rise
buildings mushrooming in between the farmlands.
Therefore, Bhugaon as a study area would be beneficial
in analysing agro-ecological transformations because
Figure 3a: Plan and sections of study area: Bhugaon, Pune it is a perfect combination of lush agricultural land
(Source: Author on map base from Google Earth Pro 7.3.4 -version) and new development. (see figure 4).

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Figure 3b: Plan and sections of study area: Bhugaon, Pune

(Source: Author on map base from Google Earth Pro 7.3.4 -version)
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Figure 4: Study area: Bhugaon, Pune

(Source: Author)
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4. METHODOLOGY the significance of farming and social initiatives. Finally,
The study employs a qualitative research design, the experts like town planners, urban planners and
relying on an ethnographic approach, with a mix of some activists were interviewed to understand their
GIS mapping, direct observation and semi-structured perspectives on the urban sprawl. Also, interventions
interviews with peri-urban residents, and meetings and policies to plan systematic growth of the city were
with key informants. The primary goal of the research examined. This method is an effective tool that can be
is to investigate the implication of urban sprawl on applied not only to monitor a region's current growth
farmlands and develop a model for the sustainable and development but also to build and apply models to
growth of the city. Hence, the study discusses the meet a sustainable development objective in the future.
relationship between the physical environment and
the social aspect of the individuals involved. Through 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
the physical environment, the author implies studying 5.1. Ecological Study
the ecology and built-form of Bhugaon. Under ecology, Agriculture is one of the contributors to the
the author aims to study different land use changes, conservation and growth of ecology. But this arable land
and especially agriculture cover change is mapped for is decreasing day by day as unplanned development is
around 10-year intervals. Bhugaon is witnessing major encroaching on areas of Bhugaon. The rapid growth of
growth in the housing sector. Hence, the built-form population, unplanned urbanization, industrialization
aspect looks into the morphological transformation in and agricultural modernization in Bhugaon has created
the form of building use and heights. Lastly, the social pressure on the farm land and as well as environment.
aspect deals with interviews with different stakeholders The area has been experiencing hasty alterations in
involved in the process of farmland loss. land use patterns, especially the agricultural land
decreasing rapidly and various environmental problems
The first half of the study is based on remotely sensed occurred (Isalm, 2013). The change in land cover and
data (aerial photographs and satellite images) land use for the period of two decades was analysed
combined with extensive field checks and surveys. The by using satellite images at around 10-year intervals in
practice of GIS and remote sensing for urban studies 2000, 2010 and 2020 from the internet. After scanning
has been valued greatly in various studies, as it is very the topographical map of the study region, it was
useful for collecting data on suburban attributes with georeferenced using QGIS 2.14.9 software. Addition
their spatial and temporal extents (Dutta, 2012). As to the software mapping was combined with extensive
the urban areas are dynamic and complex in nature, field checks and surveys (See figure 5).
traditional data collection methods are incapable of
coping with the numerous changes that occur over very It is evident through the mapping that Bhugaon has
27 27
short periods. Both aerial photography and satellite undergone a significant change within a span of two
imagery are appropriate for evaluating rapid growth decades. Assets like good connectivity, proximity to
in urbanization. Aerial photographs can be expensive the economic centres along with ample land available
and difficult to obtain at times, making timely updates to fulfilling the housing demand have led to rapid
and monitoring difficult. Thus, satellite imagery is often urbanisation. This has triggered a major depletion in
the better option (Fazal, 2000). Satellite pictures from
2000, 2010 and 2020 are used for evaluating urban
growth in terms of land-use changes.

Adding to this, the key informants were interviewed

to gauge information on crucial aspects of the village
profile and transition in the peri-urban area. This group
of people included farmers, developers, local residents
and experts. Farmers, who have played a crucial role
in the loss of agricultural land were interviewed to
understand the ground reality. The question included
the reasons behind the selling of land, utilization of
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money and whether the step of selling their land more JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
profitable. The next important stakeholder are the
developers because they are the main drivers of the
urbanization process. They were interviewed concerning
the land value in and nearby Bhugaon, selection of
the site in the peri-urban area, the land acquisition
procedure, the base for compensation and the process
of sanctioning and implementation of the project.

Peri-urban residents are the migrated population to the

area in search of new residents. It is also important to note
that common people may have different perspectives
on farmland loss than farmers, politicians or developers.
They would be an important source of information like Figure 5: Land use change of Bhugaon for year 2002 and 2018
people’s awareness about farmland loss, farm produce, (Source: Adapted by Author through QGIS 2.14.9- version on map base from
Google Earth Pro 7.3.4 -version )
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Figure 7: Building use plan for Bhugaon (Source: Survey by Author on map
base from base from Google Earth Pro 7.3.4 -version)

28 28
Figure 6: Agriculture land use transformation (Source: Adapted by Author Figure 8: Building height plan for Bhugaon (Source: Survey by Author on
on map base from base from Google Earth Pro 7.3.4 -version) map base from base from Google Earth Pro 7.3.4 -version)

agricultural land in Bhugaon. The land use between the into built-up areas, with significant value added to
years 2002 and 2018 have been compared (see figure housing production to meet the immediate housing
5). The changes can be mainly observed in farmland demand (see Figure 7).
and built-up area land uses. Over a period of twenty
years, there has been a steady but profound increase in Farmlands and farmers on the rural outskirts continue
the built component (See figure 6). to lose their farmlands to various development
projects with less compensation or concerns for their
The main focus of the study is agricultural land loss. livelihoods or food production. As a result of the
Figure 6 shows the agricultural land cover for over 10- government's failure to respond to the unplanned
year intervals from 2000 to 2020. Statistics show that city growth, peri-urban farmers are left vulnerable to
in 2000, agricultural land counts for 66% of the total the adverse shock of urbanisation. The morphology
boundary. In 2010, a slight loss in agriculture cover is of Bhugaon is rationalise through concrete evidence.
noticed, which occupy up to 59% of the study area. In In the peri-urban zone, agricultural, residential and
the recent phase, 42% of farmland is available within the other land uses are intermixed. These fragmented
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study area. It has been observed that agricultural land loss farmlands are under major pressure from real estate
is a gradual process rather than a sudden one, which may development. According to the village panchayat,
pose a significant problem in the future. It is evident that the amenities planned are in reference to the original
a major agriculture loss in the recent time is due to real village population. However, every individual builder
estate increase in the area. A lot of agriculture and fallow nowadays tends to get the basic amenities to their plots
lands are predominantly now under high-rise housing, without any planning. The basic civic infrastructure
commercial uses, small scale industries and roads. like solid waste management, sewage disposal and
water and electricity supply is not in conjunction with
5.2. Morphology Study the existing population. This sudden burden on the
According to the previous study, it is seen that infrastructure has to lead further mishaps like disposal
development has caught up with arable lands on the of waste on roadsides, waterlogging in monsoons and
fringes of Bhugaon village and its environs. Human shortage in the water and electricity supply. Hence
activities and development are encroaching vast the current study would enable in making of strategic
swathes of agricultural land on the fringes of cities at decisions regarding infrastructure and civic amenities
alarming rates. Many arable lands have been converted in line with the population growth (See figure 8).
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The change in the skyline in peri-urban regions is visible of the city. When asked about land prices, developers
through analysing the spatio-temporal patterns of three- typically base the value of the land on the market price.
dimensional urban forms, especially building height. The But in the provision of farmland, the productivity of
building height mapping was conducted by recording land and future yield should be considered.
videos through the study area and then marking the
heights on satellite images. Correlating the building use Peri-urban residents: The growing urbanization has led
to building heights, one can understand that the new to an increase in home-seekers investing in Bhuagon.
residential development is not a small-scale farmhouse These migrant residents living in the new residential
anymore, but multi-storeyed residential buildings. It is societies are interviewed to understand their
evident from the research that the proportion of high- ideologies about farmlands. These peri-urban residents
rise buildings is lesser compared to ground and G+1 understand the importance of farmers, but they do not
structures, as shown in figure 8. But these lands under work in an approach that helps farmers. They tend to
high-rise buildings display higher density leading to exploit farmers by buying imported products over local
transformation which is neither completely rural nor produce. Dumping the waste on the boundaries of the
urban. These transitional spaces are undergoing gradual farmlands and contaminating water bodies add to the
but continuous changes regarding social systems, problems. If these residents who are more literate and
population characteristics and land use. economically stable, planned on supporting farmers
by holding farmer's markets, agro-tourism and social
5.3. Social study drives for clean-ups, these would be of great support.
In the course of the loss of farmland, different actors
like farmers, developers/ builders, local residents and Experts/ Architects: According to the experts,
experts/ architects are involved. In-depth interviews construction in the outskirts has its repercussion since
and meetings were conducted to better understand the resources, water and energy that were previously
their viewpoint. Most of these were scheduled, while available to the locals will be now be diverted for the
some were chance encounters. Following are the construction work resulting in water shortage and
findings from the interviews with different stalk power failure. Construction work not only impacts the
holders: site but also damages 30-40% of the surroundings due
to the building of roads, power stations, sewage plants
Farmers: When asked about their views on farming and services. The answer to all problems is a sustainable
as a profession, they stated that it is passed down development of the site.
through families, but the younger generation prefers
a more profitable, stable and respectable career Taking into account the above, the urban planners from
29 29
path. They claim that the cause is the decline in Pune also held that the loss of farmland would create
agricultural output over time, the degradation of the heat islands. Farmlands mitigate carbon footprints and
water supply and the significant impact of climate help in reducing pollution. Increasing urbanisation will
change. In further discussions, it was noticed that the create the situation of a decreasing percentage of food
productivity of the farmland is not taken into account producers and food consumers. The large-scale import
when determining compensation. Agriculture land is is the consequence of the increase in food demand.
a lifelong earnings source for farmers- whereas the Some urban planners also suggested that agricultural
compensation received for the land provides no long- land use should be identified as separate land use
term financial benefit to the farmers. As the farmers rather than demarcated as a green zone. And a bottom-
are not good at finance management the money up approach should be adopted while formulating
received is utilized for buying homes, cars, or other the policies for protecting agricultural land. This
liabilities. Hence to sustain themselves, most farmers methodology has proven to offer a framework that
are working in small-scale industries or construction may help policymakers, urban and regional planners,
sites at low wages. Government initiatives do not and researchers working in developing countries to
help them much as they don’t work in the sync with understand the dynamics of urban growth in the peri-
growing economy and lifestyle. When questioned urban area.
about the reason for selling the land, the answer
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was simply ‘the need of the time’. The root problem 6. Conclusions: Towards Alternative Approaches JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
encountered by the local farmers remains that they With physical and social implications of farmland loss,
are not given the recognition they deserve. it is imperative to examine urbanization in fast-growing
agglomerations like Pune holistically. The findings of
Developers/ Builders: According to developers, they this research are based on the synthesis of remotely
don’t see any problem in construction in the peri- sensed data with the interviews of key informants. In
urban region, whereas according to them they boost the research area, there is now a noticeable increase in
the economy by providing employment and houses to unplanned residential and commercial buildings. The
stay. For builders, a vast tract of agricultural lands is pace at which the number of developers are investing
available for the development of gated communities. in the area is faster than the way local authority is
The home-seekers are also showing major interest in planning the expansion of utilities, services and
such projects because of their proximity to the city recreational facilities. There are no specific rules and
and affordability. But the developers tend to get the regulations that have been laid on the development of
amenities and services onto their land parcel which urban form. This need-based expansion is the cause of
leads to the haphazard and directionless development haphazard expansion.
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AUGUST 2022 Moreover, they need to have an integrated approach

where the farmlands are a distinguishing feature of the
city’s growth rather than a barrier. This may help in
changing the trend of development. Such development
would not just create change physically but also
integrate the people socially. Land use planners and
policymakers can use this model of urban growth to
Figure 9: Strategies for integrated urban development (a) Efficient
connectivity (b) Balanced land uses (c) New activities anticipate and plan for future spatial expansion to
(Source: Author) ensure growth along the lines of city development
plans and enabling infrastructure. It is also necessary
There has also been a shift in perception of framers for to strictly enforce agricultural land conversion laws,
agricultural land, such that it has gone from being a which may encourage farmers to continue farming
source of livelihood to merely a commodity for income, activities. Hence, the author advocates not only policy-
which has led to a significant transformation. The level intervention but also an on-the-ground physical
amount of fallow land has increased as landowners’ intervention that aims to rethink urban sprawl rather
anticipation of increased land values as urban than cease it. In a country where farmland is being lost
development expands. Subsequently, negative at an alarming rate in the name of development, smart
externalities in terms of traffic congestion, parking, and inclusive planning is critical for future growth.
pollution, water supply, sanitation problems, solid
waste disposal and lack of open space will emerge in
time. The river is now encroached upon and is used for
the disposal of garbage and waste. In a broader view,
they have to acknowledge the fact that this would lead
to food security issues in the future. This process will REFERENCES 7. Pandey, Bhartendu K.C.
continue in the absence of proper intervention and (2014). Urbanization and
strict planning measures, and it will have an adverse 1. Squareyards.com. (2017). Agricultural Land loss in India:
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effect on the quality of life of urban and peri-urban in Pune. Retrieved on 22 August Environmental Management, 1-14.
dwellers (see figure 9). 2018 from: https://www.squar-
eyards.com/blog/bhugaon-be- 8. Pune Municipal Corporation.
comes-major-hotspot-in-pune (2013). Draft Development Plan
Finally, although urban expansion cannot be ceased,
for Old Pune City (2007-2027).
with proper management and planning it can be 2. Dutta, V. (2012). Land Use Retrieved on 28 October 2018
restricted and directed in a desirable and sustainable Dynamics and Peri-urban Growth fFrom: https://www.pmc.gov.
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way, protecting fertile agricultural lands. However, to Characteristics: Reflections on in/Draft_Plan_Old_Village/
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achieve this the author recommends three key strategies ty from a Sprawling North Indian
which include efficient connectivity, balanced land City. Environment and Urbaniza- 9. Pune Municipal Corporation.
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Plan for Pune- 2041. Retrieved
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better access to each land parcel. This would result Cconsequences of Agricultural https://www.pmc.gov.in/
in proper service distribution and, eventually Land Losses of Rajshahi District, Draft_Plan_Old_Village/Fi-
Bangladesh. IOSR Journal Of nal_DP_Report_New.pdf
support no haphazard development. Environmental Science, 58-65.
ii) Balanced land use signifies that rather than 10. Sami, N. (2013). From
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Urban Sprawl: A Temporal Study Urban Coalitions in Pune, India.
may decide based on the productivity which land of the Impact of the IT Parks in International Journal of Urban and
should be preserved or utilized for other purposes. Pune using Remote Sensing. Regional Research, 151-164.
Land productivity mapping would help the Transactions of the Institute of
planning authority to achieve the optimal balance Indian Geographers, 25-38. 11. Patil, Sheetal, D.B. (2018).
Urbanisation and New Agroecol-
development. 5. Koul, R. (2017). India’s ogies : The Story of Bengaluru’s
iii) Finally to boost the economy by preserving the Shrinking Agriculture Space: Can Peripheries. Economic & Political
agricultural land the authority may come up with we turn it around? Retrieved Weekly, 75-77.
JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

on 18 August 2018 From:

efficient schemes for farmers, developers, and https://www.biovoicenews. 12. TOI. (18 Dec. 2020). Ball in
migrated residents. Giving incentives to developers com/indias-shrinking-agricul- PMC’s court as govt approves
for perceiving urban agriculture practices like ture-space-can-turn-around/ merger proposal of 23 villages.
Retrieved on 15 January 2022
hydroponic farming, vertical or terrace farming, or 6. Mundhe, Nitin N.R.G. (2017). from : https://timesofindia.
small kitchen gardens within plot limit. Chronological Development of indiatimes.com/city/pune/
Pune from 758-2014 AD. Inter- ball-in-pmcs-court-as-govt-ap-
national Journal of Environment, proves-merger-proposal/article-
Other proposals may include community farming, Ecology, 33-50. show/79785017.cms
farmers markets, agro-tourism, farm-to-plate
restaurants, and small-scale industries. Also promoting Ar. Megha Gaikwad is working as an
agriculture training and education would encourage Assistant Professor at Indira College of
the new generation to consider farming as a career. Architecture and Design, Pune. She received
her Master's degree in Urban Design from
An inclusive model that integrates employment the Kamla Raheja Institute, Mumbai. Her
opportunities with a variety of residential services, research focuses on delayering the urban-
promoting a less reliant and more sustainable lifestyle. rural interface, gaps in urban policies, and
urban place-making.