PLANNING STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF SHIMLA CITY

Abstract

The concept of Sustainable Development was first time brought by World Commission on Environment & Development in 1987. After this, various organizations, groups started advocating the concept of sustainable development for the overall well being of earth and its inhabitants. In the field of planning also sustainable development assumed a significant importance, as cities all over the world were facing many problems due to unsustainable practices. Similarly, the concept also gained momentum in hilly areas and various organizations were formed at national and international levels for sustainable development of hilly areas. Present study also deals with the sustainable development of the Shimla city which is one of the fastest growing hill city of the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region. Shimla was planned by Britishers in 1865 for the population of 20000-25000 but today the population has increased to 174,789. Present day, Shimla is in great contrast to its glorious past. Shimla is a capital of Himachal Pradesh, which came into being on 25January 1971. Being the state capital of a relatively young state, it is pulsating with tremendous pressure of activities, due to large number of development programmes, numerous departmental and administrative functions of a capital, leading to the problems of governance and management. The city is suffering from many problems due to unsustainable practices. Considering the limited resources in the vicinity, sustainability of the city is being constantly challenged. In this study various parameters were identified for the settlement level sustainable- development and study has been conducted on the lines of only three broad and influencing parameters as following �â� � iv 1. Economy 2. Ecology & Environment 3. Physical Infrastructure In Shimla, water availability and its management is one of the prime area of concern, which could inhibit the growth of the city in future. Considering this fact Water Supply based Carrying Capacity Analysis has been carried out and maximum carrying capacity of the city has been suggested. Finally, a comprehensive set of strategies have been proposed for the improvements in Economy, Ecology and Physical Infrastructure, so that sustainable development is achieved. Simultaneously, general recommendations have been given to further strengthen the goal of sustainability of the city.