Role of Indicators in Monitoring Growing Urban Regions The Case of Planning in India's National Capital Region

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of indicators in planning, using planning currently underway in India's National Capital Region (Delhi and its hinterland) as a case in point. It argues that judicious use of indicators can indeed make the planning process better informed. The paper demonstrates how various indicators based on data easily obtained can offer useful intelligence in making strategic choices for directing and managing future growth. The paper has three parts: (a) a discussion of the background of the NCR (National Capital Region) planning efforts, and the particular assumptions driving the planning for this mega-city region; (b) an analysis of the dynamics and implications of population change in the NCR system of cities, and the effectiveness of established indicators; and (c) a case for using indicators of infrastructure stress when evaluating the capacity of individual settlements to absorb future growth.