You are on page 1of 15

PLANNING APPROACHES FOR

URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
Dr Ranjith Perera
Urban Environmental Management Field of Study

Asian Institute of Technology

Why planning is needed?


Planning is a resource allocation,
control and strategy formulation
process;
Resources are limited, and sometimes
scarce;
While Human needs and expectations
are not limited;
In contrary they are always increasing.

Urban Planning and


Infrastructure Development
Land is the most essential resource for
urban development
Land is very scarce and expensive in
many countries/cities
Unless this scarce resource is developed
with adequate backing of infrastructure,
problems such as pollution, congestion,
under-service can occur

Urban Infrastructure

Urban Infrastructure falls into three


categories:
Physical Infrastructure;
Social Infrastructure;
Environmental Infrastructure.

Physical Infrastructure
Although most infrastructure facilities are
physical in nature, only the types of
infrastructure facilities, which do not fall
into the other two categories, are included
in this category;
(e.g., roads, railways, bridges, transport
terminals, irrigation systems,
telecommunication networks, electricity
networks etc.)

Social Infrastructure
Types of infrastructure services, which
perform civic functions, and operated by
the local government or other government
authorities fall into this category.
(e.g., libraries, community centers,
schools, shopping centers, public markets,
vocational training centers, health centers
and clinics, etc.)

Environmental Infrastructure
With the growing concerns on the
conditions of peoples living environment,
some of the infrastructure facilities, which
were previously fall under the above two
categories are included here.
(e.g., water supply networks, waste water,
drainage and sewerage networks, waste
dumps and sanitary landfills, treatment
plants, etc.)

Shape of cities and Infrastructure


networks
Common shape:
Circular
Linear
Square
Others

Urban infrastructure configuration will be


dictated by the shape of the city.

Shapes of Cities

Example of City Shapes

A Comparison of Water Supply Infrastructure


(in Different CITY SHAPE but about same Number of Pop)

COMPONENTS

LINEAR-SHAPE
CITY

SQUARE-SHAPE
CITY

Primary distribution pipe

Shorter and simple

Longer and more loops

Head losses

Smaller, because of lesser Larger, because of more


junction and shorter route loops, junction, and longer
route

Network configuration

Simple

Complicated

Installation and Maintenance

Simple

More difficult

Number of valve, water tower


or pumps to compensate
head losses

Fewer

More

Factors to be considered in
Infrastructure Planning

Size of serviced area (city)


Threshold population
Shape of the city
Topography and other natural features
Soil type
Climate
Flooding, fire, odor, noise, vibration and other
environmental nuisances
Land costs
Associated regulations

Typical urban development


Process
Rural Land

Infrastructure
and
Amenities

Urban
Functions

Urban
Areas

Development refers to change of physical status


change of function

The process takes different forms in actual practice

Typical land development scenarios


Development of vacant land in inner city and
middle city areas
Redevelopment of land in inner city areas
Conversion of fringe areas from rural
functions to urban functions
Development of isolated pockets outside cities
For efficient and functional urban planning,
land development should be accompanied
with infrastructure development

Infrastructure development is incorporated


in Urban Planning in two ways
1. The common instance is to introduce
infrastructure facilities in order to solve some
problems of existing urban areas
(e.g., introduction of a new road system as a solution for
the traffic problems)

2.

The second instance is to introduce infrastructure


facilities first in areas to be developed for urban uses
and then invite developers to come in

e.g.,
- Planned industrial estates in locations outside city limits
-New road networks running through previously
inaccessible areas

3.
The third instance is to redevelop already builtup areas with new infrastructure facilities
e.g.,
- Land pooling and readjustment projects, land sharing

projects

Minburi Land Pooling Project

Before

After

Lad Prao Land Sharing Project

Before

After

10

Essential Infrastructure for


Urban Development
Vary according to the level of urban center
Example;
Major city - Integrated solid-waste management system
Regional city - Sanitary landfill
District town - Controlled landfill
Service center Garbage dump

Four Most Basic Urban


Environmental Infrastructure

Water Supply

Road/Circulation

Liquid/Solid Waste Management

Lighting

11

Hierarchy of Infrastructure Systems


Urban
Water
Area
supply
Major
city
Regional
city
District
town
Service
center

Solidwaste

Road

Lighting

Water Supply Infrastructure


Factors

Conditions

Objective

To provide an adequate supply of safe, potable water


for drinking, cooking, personal hygiene and sanitary
purposes.

Standard Level (SL)

Full supply of water within the dwelling

Minimum Level (ML)

Limited supply of water at a maximum distance of 100


m from dwellings

Data required for


planning

Layout of service area, maximum expected average


density, total design population, water consumption
per person, peak hourly demand, minimum pressure,
acceptable head losses, piping used, network design

Basic Criteria

Distribution network is gridiron (follows road network),


pipe sizes follow local availability, # of valve is
minimized, hydrants provided along the main street
(minimum level), pipes for individual lots and 1 for
communal facilities, Roof-tank 1 m3 per family.

12

Sewage Disposal Infrastructure


Factors

Conditions

Objective

To dispose of human waste to prevent pollution, disease and


contamination of drinking water. The sewage is disposed of
through a waterborne collection system connected to an
urban area network, with all pipe located in public land.

Standard Level (SL)

Disposal facilities are within the dwelling

Minimum Level (ML)

Disposal facilities are in lot and at a maximum distance of


100 m

Data required for


planning

Layout of service area, area of lots, number of lots, maximum


expected density, total design population, assume: sewage
disposal network is not interconnected with the storm
drainage network

Basic Criteria

Layout: the primary collection lines were located in public


areas (streets) to facilitate access for maintenance and
installation. Choice of material is dictated by local availability,
Manholes are located at all intersections.

Circulation/Road
Factors

Conditions

Objective

To provide adequate and safe means of vehicular and


pedestrian circulation, tree planting space, and where
necessary, on-street parking of vehicles

Standard Level (SL)

Improvement of the minimum level of the level established by


local codes in terms of traffic load

Minimum Level (ML)

Basic treatment of the soil to provide a wearing surface for


circulation and drainage; to minimize erosion, dust, mud,
maintenance; to provide a subgrade for future surfacing and
paving

Data required for


planning

Layout of service area, traffic load; for storm drainage: rainfall


intensity, runoff coefficient, urban network connection

Basic Criteria

Right-of-way, # of lanes, wide etc depend on local codes;


They should serve unlimited # of people, street for through
circulation should be on public land, lines of circulation are
long and generally connected at both ends with different
circulation lines

13

Lighting
Factors

Conditions

Objective

To provide for: power in each household and for the utility


services; lighting in street for night security and activities; and
communication through telephone, television, radio etc

Standard Level (SL)

Activity lighting for extension of activity at night. Lamps are


placed at all poles for a minimum lighting of 0.2 0.5 footcandles

Minimum Level (ML)

Safety lighting for crime reduction and traffic safety. Lamps


are placed at street intersections

Data required for


planning

Layout of the area to be served, average lot area, diversity


factor at transformers, urban network connections

Basic Criteria

All primary high tension lines and transformers are in


perimeter streets to facilitate access. Total load divided by
the capacity of transformer determines # of transformer
needed. 240 V single-phase three-wire system is
recommended (depends on local code). Poles are
determined by the load to be carried. Consumption is
measured by meters which can be used individually.

Essential Environmental Infrastructure


for Low-income housing
1. Drainage to permit both storm water and household waste water
to drain away without creating stagnant pools.
2. Access and roads to define a site layout with clear boundaries for
plots, access routes, rights of way and emergency vehicle access.
3. Water supply to provide clean water in adequate quantities to
cope with basic needs
4. Sanitation to remove and dispose safely of human wastes, this is
an essential component of environmental health
5. Solid waste management to ensure that refuse, which is
generated on the site is collected and disposed of.
6. Power supply for cooking and lighting

14

Infrastructure options for


Low-Income Housing
SERVICE

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

Ground Condition

Leveled and marked

Marked only

Storm Drains

Lined drain

Road as the drain

Sanitation

Sewerage Line

Latrine and soakage pit

Water Supply

House Connection

Public stand point

Wastewater Disposal

Sewerage Line

Lined drain

Access Road

5m wide paved road

2.5m unpaved road

Power

Overhead line

Overhead line

Discussion
What is the organizational set-up of your city that is
responsible for planning and implementation of urban
infrastructure systems?

What are the inherent strengths and weaknesses of


this organizational set-up in terms of identifying
infrastructure needs of communities?

15

You might also like