Types of survey used in urban planning

ASSIGNMENT NO 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

ASHITHA THAHA & CHRISTY DESINI | M22MUP009 & M22MUP010 | S1 M.PLAN |DoA | TKMCE
 ● Surveys are research methods used for collecting data from a
predefined group of respondents to gain information and insights
into various topics of interest.
● They can have multiple purposes, and researchers can conduct them
in many ways depending on the methodology chosen and the study’s
What is a goal.

survey ? ● The surveys establish ultimately the present state of the town and
indicate the measures for its improvements.
● The chief objects of surveys for the Urban planning are as follow
1. The people, their interests and occupations and how they follow
them
2. The land and buildings and how they serve their interests
Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.
 The two main advantages of a fully documented survey is as
follows :
1. The survey helps to find the relationship between

Necessity complicated activities of a town life.

2. It helps to give solution towards the local requirements.
of a The role played by survey in the science of town planning is

survey as follows :
● To evaluate the effects of development
● To present detailed reasoned reports;
● To study the situation objectively and factually

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

 Based on the purpose (for which surveying is being conducted),
Surveying has been classified into:
• Control surveying : To establish horizontal and vertical positions
of control points.
• Land surveying : To determine the boundaries and areas of parcels
Major of land, also known as property survey, boundary survey or cadastral
survey.
Types of • Topographic survey : To prepare a plan/ map of a region which
survey includes natural as well as and man-made features including
elevation.
• Engineering survey : To collect requisite data for planning, design
and execution of engineering projects.

Source : Ghosh, D. J. (n.d.). archive.nptel.ac.in. Retrieved

1) Reconnaissance survey : To explore site conditions and
from National programme on technology
availability of infrastructures.
 2) Preliminary survey : To collect adequate data to prepare
plan / map of area to be used for planning and design.
3) Location survey : To set out work on the ground for actual
construction / execution of the project.
● Route survey : To plan, design, and laying out of route such as
Major highways, railways, canals, pipelines, and other linear projects.

Types of ● Construction surveys : Surveys which are required for

establishment of points, lines, grades, and for staking out
survey engineering works (after the plans have been prepared and the
structural design has been done).
● Astronomic surveys : To determine the latitude, longitude (of
the observation station) and azimuth (of a line through
Source : Ghosh, D. J. (n.d.). archive.nptel.ac.in. Retrieved observation station) from astronomical observation.
from National programme on technology
enhanced learning.
 ● A reconnaissance survey is the preliminary survey of a
site to determine its feasibility for project.
● The reconnaissance survey is typically conducted by
surveyor and includes topographic surveys, site
inspections, and preliminary estimates of the project
costs.
Reconnaisanc ● The reconnaissance survey helps to determine if a
proposed project is feasible and if it is worth further
e survey & investment.

Pilot survey ● A pilot survey, usually on a small scale, carried out prior
to the main survey, primarily to gain information to
improve the efficiency of the main survey. For example,
it may be used to test a questionnaire, to ascertain the
time taken by field procedure or to determine the most
effective size of sampling unit.

Source : Glossary of statistical terms. (2002).

Retrieved from OECD: stats.oecd.org
 Types of surveys in town planning are mainly classified into 2 on
the basis of

FOR
PREPARATION
COLLECTION OF TOWN
OF DATA PLANNING
Types of SCHEMES

survey in 1 Functional Survey 1 Preliminary Survey

Urban
2 Social Survey 2 National Survey
Planning
3 Territorial Survey 3 Civic Survey

4 Vital Survey 4 Regional Survey

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.
 The functional aspects of a town life are studied under this survey.
Collection of data The type of information collected in the functional survey can be
enlisted as follows:

· Roads including history of roads, traffic survey, details of width of

roads and tree planting,

· Railways with positions of level-crossings, passenger stations and

1. Functional goods sheds,
Survey · Airports and seaports, waterways and canals,routes of bus, tram, ferry,
Our company suburban railways,

· Local industries, mines and their classification and location

· Availability of raw materials and type of labour employed,

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

· Probable cost of planning scheme and sources of raising funds
 The social aspects of a town life are studied under this survey.
Collection of data The type of information collected in the social survey can be enlisted as
given below:
· Ancient ruins, architectural character of the locality,
· History of growth from the study of old maps,
· Conditions favorable for preservation of wild life,
· Preservation of natural beauty,
2. Social Survey · Birth rates, death rates and charts of diseases,

Our company · Residential areas, types of buildings, slums and suburban

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.
development,
· Historical buildings and public buildings, their location and
classification,
· Parks and playgrounds, their size, Public services comprising of water
supply, sewerage, drainage, electricity, telephone facilities.
 Collection of data The physical aspects of territory are studied under this survey.
The type of information collected in the territorial survey can be
enlisted as follows:
· Geological features showing rocks and method responsible for
formation of topography,
· Contours of the land surface showing actual heights and variations
3. Territorial
of surface,
Survey · Rivers, oceans, streams and lakes,
Our company · Climatic conditions including temperature range, rainfall and
direction and intensity of winds,
· Types of soil including areas of first class agricultural soil,
· Forests and other natural vegetation
Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.
 Collection of data

The population aspects of the town under consideration are

studied under this survey.
The type of information collected in the vital survey can be enlisted
as follows:
4. Vital Survey · History of past growth of population,
· Characteristics of present population,

Our company · Density of population,

· Factors which may influence the future rate of growth of the town
such as migration, development of local industries, etc.

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

Urban planning schemes The data collected in the preliminary survey are of fairly general
nature and it is the usual practice to conduct preliminary survey
before conducting national, regional or civic surveys.
The main objective of the preliminary survey is to decide
approximate boundary of area to be planned. The topics which are
usually covered in the preliminary survey are as follows:

Preliminary Electric power - Source and distribution of power and location

of supply units.
Survey Water supply and sewerage - The existing facilities as well as
the future requirements.
General amenities - Study of civic arts, parks and playgrounds,
etc.
Highways- Conditions of existing roads with respect to their
construction and maintenance problem.
Railway- The existing routes and volume of goods traffic.

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

Urban planning schemes

Waterways- Highest water level, yearly, seasonal

variations, etc.
Housing- Study of existing housing conditions with
Preliminary respect to lighting, ventilation, sanitation, etc.
Industries- Arrangement and classification of various
Survey industries, location and distribution of the
manufacturing units, etc.
Land use- The density and character of structures,
divisions and uses of land, etc. are studied.

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

 The study of national resource gives a broad vision for the
requirements of urban planning schemes. The policy and procedure
Urban planning schemes
adopted by nation as a whole affect considerably the proposals of
town planning schemes. The topics that are usually covered are as
follows
Administration - The aspects of land ownership and general
administration of the country are considered.
Agriculture - It includes the study of types of agricultural soil,
crops, and number of crops per year.
National Communication facilities - The existing modes of transport
such as roads, railways, waterways and air routes are studied.
Survey Economic development - The overall situation of economic
conditions of the nation including availability, etc. are
considered.
Geography - The geological conditions, the extent of sea coast,
etc. are considered.
Natural resources - The availability of natural resources in the
form of oil, minerals, gas, water, etc. are studied.
Urban settlement - It includes the study of distribution and
density of population.
Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.
Urban planning schemes Civic survey: The civic or town survey is conducted with special
reference to the conditions prevailing in and around the town to be
planned. This survey is done at a much smaller scale.The topics
covered in civic survey are as follows:

Communication amenities - The means of communication such

as roads, railways, airways, and waterways are studied together
Civic with their inter-relationship.
Contour - The study of contour of the area helps in deciding the
gradients of roads, location of waterworks and sewage plants,
survey etc.
Land uses and land values - It includes the study of agricultural
lands, residential and commercial areas, parks, open spaces,
location of airports, etc. The study of land values is useful to get
an idea of the compensation required to be paid to private owners
for the acquisition of land for public purposes.

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

Urban planning schemes Historical background - It includes the study of general
historical development of town, present policy of
administration , physical and social aspects of the area, etc.
Housing - The characteristics of houses, distribution and relation
of people to houses, etc. are studied.
Industries - The character, distribution, types, and special
requirement of the local industries are studied.
Civic Population - It includes the study of present and future
population to be served by the town planning scheme, family
survey structure, density of population, migration tendencies, etc.
Natural features - The building, open spaces and spots of natural
beauty, which are to be preserved, are considered.
Public health - A study is made of general health of inhabitants,
death rates, causes of special diseases, etc.
Topography - The topography of the area is studied with
reference to climatic conditions, locations of rivers and streams,
etc.

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

Urban planning
It is conducted on a slightly bigger scale as compared to the civic
schemes survey. The purpose of regional survey and civic survey is the same,
namely, to investigate the economical, physical, and social conditions
of the area to be covered under the town planning schemes. The
investigations made under regional survey are of general nature and
as same as those of civic survey.

Regional
Physical factors - like topography. physically difficult land,
survey geology, landscape etc.
Physical economic factors - like agricultural value of the land,
mineral resources and water gathering lands. areas with public
services, transportation linkages etc.
Social economic factors - like areas of influence of towns and
villages. employment, population changes etc

Source : Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.

 • The survey draws attention to the inter-relation between various
complicated activities of a town life.

• The survey stresses the local requirements and appropriate

treatment to be given socially, conveniently and artistically.
‘Survey before Plan’ the principle advocated by Sir Patrick
Advantages of Geddes

surveys in • It is the ‘Diagnosis before treatment’ or ‘Diagnostic approach’

without which no adequate planning scheme can be prepared for a
urban planning town.

• The survey data so collected can be analysed and will be

represented in the form of maps, charts, tables and models. Such a
fully illustrated and clearly documented survey is helpful and
advantageous.
Source :Vishwanath, H. (2014). Town Planning text
book. Sapna book house
References :
• Rangwala, S. (2013). Town Planning. Charotar.
• Vishwanath, H. (2014). Town Planning text book. Sapna book
house.
• Ghosh, D. J. (n.d.). archive.nptel.ac.in. Retrieved from National
programme on technology enhanced learning.
• Glossary of statistical terms. (2002). Retrieved from OECD:
stats.oecd.org