Inclusive Planning and Social Infrastructure

DETAILS : 

• Author : A. K. Jain
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bookwell Publications
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 30 January 2010
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 317 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9380574037
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9380574035
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 650 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Inclusive Planning and Social Infrastructure is a critical resource for urban planners, architects, and policymakers navigating the challenges of 21st-century urbanization. A.K. Jain addresses the stark reality of "divided cities" and proposes a framework for urban development that ensures no citizen is left behind.

The book focuses on several core pillars of equitable growth:

• Social Infrastructure: A deep dive into the planning and spatial requirements for essential services like healthcare, education, community centers, and sports facilities.
• Inclusivity & Equity: Strategies for integrating the "informal city"—slums and squatter settlements—into the formal urban fabric, ensuring access to land and basic amenities for the urban poor.
• Sustainable Urbanism: Aligning urban growth with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on environmental resilience and social cohesion.
• Governance and Policy: An analysis of Indian urban policies (like the Master Plans and Housing for All) and how they can be reformed to be more participatory and pro-poor.

It is particularly valuable for its "people-centric" approach, arguing that a city's success should be measured by the quality of life of its most vulnerable residents rather than just its skyline.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A.K. Jain is one of India's most respected urban planners and the former Commissioner (Planning) of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). With decades of experience in shaping the physical and social landscape of India’s capital, he brings a unique "insider" perspective to the complexities of land use and municipal administration.

He has been a key figure in the preparation of the Master Plan for Delhi and has served as a consultant to several international organizations, including the UN-Habitat. A prolific writer, Jain has authored over 30 books on town planning, housing, and heritage. His work is characterized by a commitment to "smart" growth that remains deeply rooted in social justice and environmental sustainability.