CMA

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority

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Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority

சென்னைப் பெருநகர் வளர்ச்சிக் குழுமம்

சென்னைப் பெருநகர் வளர்ச்சிக் குழுமம்

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40,000+

Citizens & stakeholders

Filled the survey

Frequently asked questions

  • The Master Plan is a statutory1 document that outlines a city’s strategy and direction for its spatial, economic, social and environmental growth.
  • One of the functions of the master plan is to create a land-use plan for the city limits. The land use plan describes the type of development that is permitted for a parcel of land.
  • In India, Master Plans are prepared for a period of twenty years.
  • As the Master Plan is the document that prescribes land use, development control and building regulations, and policy recommendations that are adopted by different government departments, it plays a crucial role in defining the direction of growth of the city.
  • The Master Plan is important for investors and businesses to identify priority areas of interest and ensure that the development is in line with the government’s vision.
  • More importantly, the Master Plan is important to every citizen as the city’s growth affects everyday matters like the use of natural resources, transport, health, inclusivity, safety, quality of life, access to green spaces, vibrant public spaces, etc
  • The preparation of the Master Plan is described in the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.
  • According to the Act, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is the appropriate planning authority for preparing the master plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
  • Predominant land use categorisations for Chennai as per the Mater Plan Rules2 are i) residential (ii) commercial (iii) industrial (iv) institutional (v) transport (vi)
    services and utilities (vii) open space and recreation (viii) agriculture and (ix) nonurban and (x) other uses such as undeveloped areas, water bodies, waste and rocky lands3
  • The Master Plan also details the development control and building regulations to be followed for any new construction in the city.
  • Previously, two master plans have been in effect
  • First Master Plan, 1976 to 2001 (in effect till August 2008)
  • Second Master Plan, the current master plan (in effect from Sep 20084)
  • As the 20-year term of the second master plan comes to a close in 2026, the Third Master Plan for the city (2027 – 2046) is to be prepared.
  • Chennai is at a pivotal stage in its position as a top Indian metropolis
  • As per a 2018 ANAROCK report: “Chennai has a well-balanced and diversified economy between manufacturing and service sectors. Chennai’s economy is currently fourth5 largest economy in India and is forecasted to grow to 100 million dollars (which is 2.5 times the current rate) by the year 2025. Chennai is one among the top 10 fastest growing cities in the world’s according to Forbes Magazine. The city ranked at 4th position, boasts of hosting a vast number of Fortune 500 companies in India.”6
  • The approach to urban planning has seen a paradigm shift in the last twenty years from land-use planning to an emphasis on the environment, climate change, gender inclusivity, sustainable practices for the built environment, participatory planning, and technology-led evidence-based decision-making.
  • The Third Master Plan is an opportunity to include current, relevant urban planning dialogue to transform Chennai into a premier Indian and global metropolis
  • The Master Plan is a broad, strategic document that outlines the vision andstrategy for a city and is not meant to be a blueprint.
  • Using the Master Plan as a guide, Detailed Development Plans (DDPs) and Local Area Plans (LAPs) are made.
  • The visioning exercise for the Third Master Plan is a move that is a first of its kind to establish, with the citizens and all involved stakeholders, high-level ideas that will guide the preparation of the Third Master Plan.
  • The visioning exercise aims to establish the groundwork for the Third Master Plan by presenting the current scenario of Chennai and analysing the existing gaps.
  • Importantly, the vision strives to understand the aspirations and priorities of the citizens of Chennai to set goals, objectives and strategies for a future that is collectively imagined.
  • Master Plans and urban planning are usually top-down processes as the enabling capacity rests with the government.
  • In an effort to be more participatory in its approach, the visioning exercise hopes to open the doors to the citizens to actively hear their hopes and dreams for creating their city.
  • Ultimately, Master Plans and cities are made for the people who live in it. Citizens’ input is important for the visioning exercise to ensure that the goals for the Third Master Plan are aligned with citizens’ expectations for the city
  • We want citizens to connect with the Third Master Plan and look at it as their own
  • We believe that participation in the process will foster that connection and enable citizens to feel a sense of ownership over the plan
  • Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has engaged a consultant to engage the public and stakeholders in the visioning exercise.
  • Citizens will have the opportunity to participate over the course of the next months through
  • In-person public consultations of each zone of CMA
  • Digitally through the citizens’ survey questionnaires, emails and WhatsApp as on www.cmavision.in.
  • Workshops and focus group discussions with identified stakeholders from government, academic and professional associations.
  • It is important to remember that these engagements with the public and various stakeholders are not a forum for grievances and complaints
  • We urge you to read our resources to equip yourself with a basic understanding of the intention behind a Master Plan and tailor your contributions to positively impact the process and the outcomes.
    1. About Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
    2. What is Master Planning? – World Bank
    3. Second Master Plan 2008 – 2026;
    4. What is a vision?
    5. Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India
    6. Coverage on Delhi Master Plan 2041
    7. Mein Bhi Dilli Campaign-MainBhiDilli is a people’s campaign to make planning in Delhi more representative and inclusive by engaging citizens in the 2041 Master Plan process.
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