The rapid pace of Urbanization in developing in developing countries owing to the concomitant population explosion and non-uniform economic and industrial growth tends to raise multifarious questions and non-uniform, economic and industrial growth tends to raise multifarious questions regarding sustainability. 74^th constitutional amendment puts more responsibilities in the Urban Local Government side. However, it is difficult to ignore the fact that very often these local Government lack not only adequately trine4d personal but also the requisite financial base and autonomy to provide effective and efficient service, which resulted incrementally increase in gap of demand and supply of Urban Infrastructure services. Most strange thing in this , they do not have idea about the gap due to lack of existence of any integrated plan. In Gujarat, an exercise in form of the Development Plan also traditionally governed. The Development Plan based on development trends and potential sets out the land use and related controls. The Plan set for 20 years , does provide an indicative assessment of service requirements. However, economic development inputs are carried out by state agencies, an aspect the city planner has no control over. Similarly, Local Self Govt., draws detailed plans for component of city facilities and those are prepared at different time period.

            The situation is all over the same in all urban areas of developing country, which was thoroughly observed by UNCHS (Habitat) and guided them to prepare City Development strategy (CDS).

            The CDS is a tool that engages principal stakeholders and donor assistance groups in the formulation and implementation of a development strategy for a city as a whole, prioritizing investments and building consensus for and   participation in actions undertaken to realize this consensual strategy.

            The goals of a City Development Strategy include a collective city vision and action plan aimed at improving urban governance and management, increasing investment to expand employment and services, and systematic and sustained reductions in urban poverty. City Development Strategies (CDS) are action plans for equitable growth in cities, developed and sustained through participation, to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

            Rajkot is one of the fastest developing city located on the western part of India. Rajkot city spread over 104.86 sq.kms. area and has one million population ( Census, 2001). Rajkot Municipal Corporation ( RMC) looks after the city and it is very well known for the managing the city by using private sector participation as well as for new innovation in city managements to serve people in efficient way. City has prepared different plan for improving services and to nullifying gap between services and demand. 

Some of such plans are_

1. Feasibility for over-bridges and under bridges at different location by STUP consultant, Bombay
2. Blue Print for water augmentation and management in Rajkot by INTACH- New Delhi
3. Infrastructure facilities plan for newly merged area by ENVIROCARE, Ahmedabad
4. Modernization of Solid Waste Management in the city by Mr. P U Asnani, USAID
5. GIS for Rajkot city, PAM consultant, Ahmedabad
6. Need of double –entry accounting system in the Municipal finance and budget, Kirloskar Co. Pune and A Fergusions and Co.,Baroda
7. City Forestary Action Plan by RMC
8. Development of Medium size Zoo and amusement park at Pradhuman Park, Central Zoo Authority of India
9. Short-term Comprehensive traffic  & Transportation Plan, CES, New Delhi
10. Use re-cycling water Racecourse area, ENVIROCARE, Ahmedabad.
11. Redevelopment of Kalawad road, by EPC , Ahmedabad
12. Energy auditing report by SAKET, Ahmedabad
13. Augmentation capacity of Nyari-1 dam, by Kharod & co., Baroda

Different well-known consultants of India prepare all these palns. However, there is no integrated plan in existence. During 1999-2000 Rajkot city also made with the help of USAID, Urban Development & Urban Housing Department (Govt. of Gujarat) and school of Planning, CEPT, Ahmedabad. An exercise was made to formulate the CDS for Rajkot city. It was as integrated approach made by these agencies by using stack-holder analysis. Various Community based Organization ( CBO), Non- Govt. Organization ( NGO), leading city personalities etc., were called for their view and opinions. Unfortunately, work could not be completed.

The work of prepared of city Corporate Plan may be extension of the earlier CDS preparation for the city.

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Last modified: July 26, 2002