MANGALORE CITY VISION PLAN 2025

MANGALORE CITY VISION PLAN 2025

VISION STATEMENT

To create a sustainable, Tier-II city with the best infrastructure facilities resulting in a most powerful center for all round growth.

To make Mangalore City, India’s most desirable place to live, work, visit and be entertained ensuring excellent quality of life.

To retain its literate products and make the city a magnet for global talent and investment.

STRATEGIC VISION

In 2025 we are looking to maintain the Mangalore City region as a dynamic and prosperous part of the Coastal Karnataka, a viable economic and social entity, working as a network to offer attractive and inclusive places in which to live, invest and work. This will be achieved by;

Enhancing Mangalore’s role as a strong regional centre and major city in India including promoting an integrated approach to the City’s development.

Promoting and enhancing the identity, quality and prosperity of the close network of towns and villages in the surrounding Travel to Work area.

Supporting development which sustains viable communities, protects and improves the countryside, and maintains the

quality of valued landscapes and the natural and built heritage.

THE SITUATION

Mangalore is at crossroads, not surprisingly since the entire country is. The development of not-so-prominent cities like Mangalore is in fact inevitable for the cumulative effect to run the engine of growth throughout India. In converting a city like Mangalore from being merely a place to live to a powerful center of growth, there is an opportunity to compete on economic fronts globally. The time is ripe to identify our strengths to do so and hence to put an effective infrastructure in place to facilitate the change.

Mangalore has been a successful trading and banking center with its high level of literacy and awareness of social and global issues. Blessed with a natural setting for a city, the citizens have not faced most problems other cities are facing today. The standard of living and ‘quality of life’ in the city has been generally on the higher side. The city has produced eminent personalities and of recent, reasons for leading new-economy businesses to set shop here. For a service led economy that is presently driving the country, it is imperative that Mangalore seizes the opportunity to change its mindset, and attract investments in sectors not tapped before. There are new challenges to be faced in view of extensive investments in the services, industrial and infrastructure sectors, which in a conservatively estimate, is pegged at an additional population of 100,000 with an additional 50,000 floating population in the next 2 years. This will have a noticable impact on the city’s existing housing, commercial, infrastructure and related facilities like leisure.

Proactive citizens and professionals have always made sure that a state of the art technology and techniques are implemented in the city’s infrastructure development process. The city has the best roads to boast of in

the region, and if this endeavour is incomplete, its is merely because of the lack of resources to do so. The city has in the past tapped non-conventional funds, namely the Critical Infrastructure Balancing Scheme, of the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, to construct a road to link the airport to the city. With an ADB assisted water supply and drainage project for the city underway, the city is all set to

take on additional growth. The airport also is presently in the process of being upgraded to an international status with an additional runway. Even at neighbourhood level a lot has been done to ensure that community facilities are revitalised to match the best world-wide.

In urban planning terms, Mangalore is an expansive city and is multi-nodal. When other cities are affected by urban sprawl and have to identify centers to serve as satellite towns, Mangalore already has established nodes of activity, which can be easily improved to serve as satellite towns. The existing transport system which is run by private enterprises, may have to be upgraded keeping in mind the envisaged growth. A detailed planning study is the need of the hour to assess the demands of housing, industry and infrastructure and a system like GIS will serve the city in its management.

Tourism is a sector which has been consistently neglected even though the region offers excellent potential. Mangalore offers a unique combination of heritage, beaches, hill-resorts,

eco-tourism, religious destinations, medical (both conventional and traditional). Urban leisure nodes already exist in Pilukula, Tanneerbhavi and Panambur and they need to be linked up and upgraded. Mangalore can also serve as a regional node and offer a value added service to pilgrimage centers like Kollur, Udupi, Karkala, and Dharmastala, nature tourism and hill-stations in neighbouring districts of Chikmagalur, Coorg and Hassan, and to already developed coastal tourism centers like Gokarna and north Kerala.

The stage is set for a change. The city and the region is characterized by harmonious co-existence of different culture, linguistic groups and religions. It has one lowest densities compared to cities of similar size, with little or none of the congestion. It also offers a situation which is rarely seen in country, it has no slums; it has a very little disparity and gaps between economic classes resulting in a evenly distributed and desired per-capita-income. The out-migration rate has always been a trend given the high level of education which needs to be corrected.

REGIONAL CONTEXT

Mangalore and its hinterland comprise a expansive and diverse part of the coastal Karnataka offering a high quality of life with easy access to a range of environments equal to any in the country and beyond.

The area is characterised by:

The City of Mangalore which continues to undergo economic and environmental restructuring, aimed at community regeneration and renewal, including supporting a level and range of services commensurate with the City’s role as the Regional Centre.

The close network of surrounding towns and villages, which together offer a range of opportunities for development balanced alongside the strong local identity of each town and its capacity to successfully absorb change without the loss of amenity or individual character.

The geographic setting and the climate makes Mangalore an ideal place to live. Historically, for socio-cultural reasons and literacy rate, the level of hygiene, cleanliness and civic sense has always been very high.

Mangalore and its hinterland complement one another providing a range of urban and rural qualities and opportunities which extends beyond the sum of the individual parts. This synergy can be harnessed for the benefit of the area as a whole. Sustaining the economic, social and environmental well being of local communities across the Mangalore Urban Development boundaries, and is therefore a common interest and strategic development priority.

Mangalore city and the region is well connected by road with the NH17 passing through it and NH 48 and NH13B originating from it. It has an excellent rail network being a terminus of the Southern Railway and an important station of the Konkan Railway. Air connectivity to Bangalore and Mumbai are soon going to be augmented with additional services once the airport gets upgraded to international status once the runway and the new terminal works of AAI are complete. New Mangalore Port has an important role to play in the country and has in the recent past attracted passenger liners and cruise traffic.

The key inter-linked objectives for the Mangalore City Region are;

To respond positively to changing employment patterns and opportunities where, despite generally rising living standards, the area does not rank among the more prosperous parts of Karnataka.

In economic terms the City Region has been characterised by considerable degrees of change, and the trend continues, with the movement from trade, manufacturing employment focus towards service industries and education related employment.

To capitalise on the strong attributes of the area as a good place in which to live, where continued population loss of qualified personnel in Mangalore and in some rural areas may damage the wider community of interests.

To ensure that, within an area encompassing both Mangalore City Corporation limits and surrounding centers including the rural countryside, access to services and facilities is widely available.

The promotion of a pattern of development and land use which encourages sustainable methods of transport and reduces the need to travel remains a major challenge to any city where accessibility rather than congestion is the key problem. This includes the vital role of town, district and city centres in providing accessible locations offering a wide range of services and facilities.

To reinforce the advantages of an attractive location between Goa and Kerala states. The changing pattern of global influences on technology, markets and the provision of services and activities provides both a threat and an opportunity for the area. A careful balance based on extensive urban studies to result in a Strategic Development Plan.

To protect and enhance the diversity and quality of both the natural and built heritage of the Mangalore and surrounding areas while encouraging new development that can contribute to economic and cultural sustainability.

The environmental assets and resources of the region have long been recognised as important in local terms. However, the capacity of both the natural and built environment to accept changes and absorb development varies from area to area. Balancing sometimes competing pressures for change to maintain and improve the quality of life remains a major challenge.

CHALLENGES FACING THE CITY:

New Economic Activity resulting in influx of population. Conservative estimate of additional population is about 100,000 with an additional 50,000 floating population in the next 2 years in the following sectors:

Services Sector: Including IT, Tourism, Healthcare and Educational facilites.

Industrial Sector: New investments in companies like ONGC, MRPL, BASF and NMPT (Port) related developments.

Coastal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a unprecedented investment of Rs.23,000 crores by ONGC and Rs. 10,000 crores by other agencies.

Infrastructure Sector: Airport upgradation, additional routes and links by the railways and state transport corporation, NMPT upgradation, 4-laning of NH17, NH48 and other state highways in the vicinity of the city.

Coastal Erosion if not addressed in time, can lead to a host of environmental problems.

Comprehensive approach towards provision of infrastructure is crucial for the above mentioned trends. Issues to be addressed on a priority basis include:

Airport upgradation to international status, and its accessibility to the city’s network and facilities.

Railways: Mangalore – Bangalore Broadguage railway line to be completed to ease passenger and freight traffic on the road network.

4-laning of the NH17 and NH48 under NHAI’s Port Connectivity Scheme to the Golden Quadrilateral.

Sea Port to be upgraded to cater to better handling of freight and additional facilities to cater to cruise based tourism, including a passenger terminus.

OUR KEY VISIONARY THEMES

To help explain our vision, we have identified seven strategic themes that will help us to focus on the really important priorities for people in Mangalore. All of these themes are extremely important individually. Clearly they all overlap and influence each other, but in particular it is our aim to consider social inclusion and sustainability in relation to everything we do in pursuing our Vision for Mangalore. In our themes we have tried to be careful not to describe everything that can and is being done to address each theme. Instead we have concentrated on the biggest priorities and the areas where we intend to make the biggest difference.

An Enterprising CityMangalore needs a thriving economy where prosperity, job opportunities

and employability are developed across the city for its already enterprising and highly educated citizens.

A Learning CityMangalore needs learning opportunities which prepare people for life,

employment and learning for its own sake, given the presence of World-class institutions

An Inclusive CityMangalore needs to ensure that regardless of social or

economic background, everyone has the chance to play a full part in the life of the city.

A Sustainable CityMangalore needs to develop in ways that safeguard the future

of the environment in the city.

A Healthy & Caring CityMangalore needs to promote and protect the physical and mental health of

communities and to provide effective care for those who need it and to serve and expand its much talked about expertise in the field the entire

country and the world by means of medical tourism.

A Safe CityMangalore needs to deliver the right services to keep the crime rate low so

that people are safe and feel safe. Linguistic & cultural and religious harmony is a matter of pride of its citizens.

A Whole CityMangalore’s status as India’s foremost newly talked about city needs to be

reflected in its scope of governance and funding

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Our vision will only be meaningful if it leads to real improvements on the ground in the key areas of the city

Land use and zoning: continuing land use documentation and enforcement, monitoring and citywide urban renewal; Implementation of a “Structure Plan”, incorporating zones for ‘planned unit development” to cater for futuristic needs.

Multi Nodal Development Approach: To capitalise on the existing scenario of the city and its surrounding towns to function as satellite towns and alternative work centers.

Encourage ‘Urban Infill” to make infrastructure projects viable to be implemented by zoning and landuse changes to facilitate increase in holding capacity without compromising to congestion factors.

Detailed Roads and transport infrastructure improvements: road network framework plan and road maintenance, pedestrianization, and traffic management programs. Transportation Strategy including Hierarchy of Road Network, identification of roads to be concretised given the extremes of climatic effect on bitumen surfaced ones in line with work already completed and underway. Policies such as TDR to be properly and effectively implemented to attain standards of width and quality.

Linking of the existing network to the proposed ONGC led, SEZ

Development and integration of storm water drainage and flood control system to link with the Road System and existing drains and recharge pools.

Development of a key action area project, namely the Mangala Corniche to act as a urban space to give a new identity to the city’s relevance to the waterfront and also to act as a ring road to ease traffic. This project is envisaged to release much needed urban land for development and for leisure.

Augment the sewage and water supply system under implementation with reworked connection to the proposed trunk and main lines of the ADB assisted project to increase efficiency and reduce losses and eliminate contamination.

Implement Rain Water Harvesting and other techniques to conserve water.

Solid waste management: implementation of ecological waste management program, dumpsite rehabilitation, and waste disposal facility development.

Implementation of GIS (Geographic Information System) to bring about more speed, responsiveness and transparency to the entire process of urban governance.

Taxation to be revolutionised to make the system transparent and accountable. SAS ( Self – Assessment Scheme) of the state government to be studied and implemented in a more suitable manner to the land form and nature of development of the city.

River protection and conservation: waterway improvements, open space development, and green lung network and greenbelt development program linked to natural drain patterns. Water based tourism and transport activity to be encouraged.

Housing policy to be showcased to attract private sector to cater for fundamental housing needs. General improvement of housing sectors and neighbourhoods.

New vented dam at Thumbe to augment the storage of water to cater to the increasing population.

TOURISM INITIATIVE

It is proposed to create leisure corridor from Pilikula to Thannir Bhavi, situated near Mangalore, enhancing and supporting tourist infrastructure at Pilikula, already recognized as an urban leisure destination, housing a specialty theme park, golf course, animal park, Pilikula lake and other features.

Water Transport along Gurpur, Pavenje and Shambhavi rivers with regulations regarding the height of bridges to facilitate water navigation and connectivity to independent islands nearby in and around Mangalore such as Arkula, Mulki and others.

As part of heritage tourism, car streets of Mangalore, Udupi,

and Moodabidri have to be developed with appropriate infrastructure, identified heritage villages at Manipal and Pilikula have to be further developed.

Heritage monuments such as St. Aloysius Chapel, Gokarnatha Temple, Ullal Dargha, Kateel, Mangaldevi and Kadri Temples have to be maintained regularly.

Art and craft village is proposed to promote and showcase local folk art and culture like Yakshagana, Thalamaddale, Baila, Atikoranchi, Padanna and such others.

Trekking trails near Nellitheertha, Gurpur, Kottachadri, along identified natural terrain and existing pathways to be developed as tourist treks.

Development of Ullal, Someshwar, Mulki, Surathkal, Kaup beaches and their connectivity to Murudeshear, Malpe, Gokarna, Maravanthe and such other beaches along the coast to be prioritized.

Industry and Commerce which are the prime beneficiaries through promotion of local crafts such as weaving, blacksmith, making of grinding stone, toddy tapping, jaggery making,

fisheries, earthen pot making and such others. This initiative helps rural development.

Health tourism is to be promoted by bringing together famous Hospitals and highly qualified doctors towards brand forming and promoting local talent as well as ayurveda.

Mangalore known for its Temples, Churches and Mosques, attracting heavy floating population during all seasons calls for additional provision of infrastructure in terms of accommodation, connectivity, water supply and sewage, hotels etc. with least inconvenience caused to local community. Areas identified are Gokarna Temple precincts, Murudeshwar etc.

Preserving the local peacock population in their natural

habitat ensuring that the National birds do not become prey to human and canine exploitation. At present peacock population is shifting towards human settlements from hilly areas of Sita Nadi.

Traffic and Parking to be regulated in tourist spots where additional infrastructure could cause congestion.

Restriction and augmentation of water supply, sewage, solid waste and energy are the priority areas to improve carrying capacity and efficiency of tourist spots.

NGO’s to be involved in the participatory development of tourism.

Local community organization and groups are proposed to monitor the environmental, cultural as well as economic impacts of tourism at the local level.

All tourism infrastructures and land use plans to be planned with sustainability as priority.