Bio-aesthetic planning

The term bio-aesthetic planning was proposed by Prof. Lancelot Hogben, which means proper
utilization of the available flora and fauna in the beautification of surroundings. In India, this
concept was popularized by Dr. M.S. Randhawa (who contributed in planning of Chandigarh
alongwith Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret).

The aim of this concept is to plant ornamental flowering trees along the roads, in parks,
residential compounds, public places and to develop national parks where animals and birds can
find sanctuary. The term bio-aesthetic is recognized as the planned ecology of living organisms
from artistic and aesthetic point of view. Bio-aesthetic planning should go hand in hand with
town’s planning. The roads should be broad and planted with flowering and shade trees. There
should also be spacious parks in the city. People’s participation through Park Management
committees, Kitchen garden Societies, Eco-clubs, etc. is very essential at all the stages i.e. from
planning to management for making the country beautiful as a whole.

Bio-aesthetic planning can play important role in environmental amelioration of urban

and industrial areas along with their beautification. Congested older cities and towns can be
rectified through bio-aesthetic planning. This can be done by acquiring unpleasant areas in a
central location and converting them into parks. The displaced population should be
accommodated in multi-storey buildings which occupy less land. In heavily populated cities like
Kolkata, Kanpur, Mumbai, etc it is very difficult to get land in the heart of the city for bio-
aesthetic planning. In such places garden suburbs should be developed in the outskirts of the city
which should be easily approachable. The real estate value of well-planned properties and
planted with trees are very high.

Advantages

Apart from beautification of the environment it makes it more livable and ecologically
stable. It improves microclimate, mitigates pollution, reduces noise pollution, creates habitat for
many animal species, add variety of form, colour and texture to the environment and brings
about positive changes in human behavior.

Areas for bio-aesthetic planning

1. Public places such as hospitals, banks, courts, post offices, university campuses, schools,
colleges
2. National, state, district, block and village roads.
3. Airport, railway station and bus stands
4. Religious places such as temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras
5. Burning ghats and cemeteries
6. Private hotels, shopping complexes, residential colonies