Town planners use a variety of techniques at various stages of planning

process.
These techniques can be related to surveys for collection of data,
assessment of existing conditions in a town.
It can be related to projections and analysis of future requirements in
respect of various activities with in town.
With rapid growth of towns, for planners there is necessity of simplified
and quick techniques for analysis and preparation of plans.
The basic presumption of simplified information gathering methodologies
is that there is always a certain of amount of uncertainty attached to
any set of data.
A good decision maker is one who makes intelligent use of imaginative

guesses with the help of collected data in good time by using the

application of simplified and sustainable survey techniques.

Methods of collection of rapid information rely mostly on direct
observations. It makes use of checklists and semi-structured dialogues

instead of lengthy and costly questionnaire-based surveys.

It is very difficult to measure socio economic information directly. Hence

Rapid survey techniques use proxy indicators to trace rankings, trends and
shifts.
To understand the existing levels of development in the area, a flexible and
intelligent use of these methods are more helpful.
These rapid methods must not be substitute to specialist investigations.
1) CHECKLIST-

It is a precise and exhaustive listing of topics/ issues and subtopics/issues

related to information need.
It is not a list of questions.
The checklist approach is flexible. It allows the surveyor to adapt and
improvise in the field.
The methods used are- documentation, observation, proxy observation
and dialogue.

The checklist can be accessible to all team members. The subsidiary

checklists can be reported in team briefing/debriefing sessions.
In the preparation of checklist following steps are followed precisely-
• List major needs and indicate how each will be used for the analysis.
• List topics and agree about their priority.
• Break down each topic into sub-topics

• Indicate the likely information such as- document, observation, proxy

and dialogue.
SURVEY TYPES-
i) Visual surveys ii) Key indicators surveys
iii) Documentations iv) Diagramming

v) Dialogue
i) VISUAL SURVEYS-
These are direct inspection surveys.
These are performed by survey teams moving in an automobile, riding a
bicycle or just walking.

For the purpose of speed and need of covering the entire area, the survey
team can use fast moving vehicles in the peripheral areas of the city
being surveyed.
For intermediate areas, use of bicycles can be advisable.
In the inner city areas pedestrian mode can be preferred.
It is used in the initial stages of investigation.
It is often conducted immediately after the preparation of checklist.
It performs variety of functions. It can-
a) Familiarize all the team members with the city or area.

b) Give initial impressions of the physical and human state of an area.

c) Identify selected areas for further investigation
d) Spark ideas for development of checklists.

ii) KEY INDICATORS -

It substantiates findings of initial survey.
It is specific to the objectives of the analysis.

It relies on visual information. It can be undertaken on foot, bicycle or

riding in a fast moving vehicle. It depends on type of area to be
surveyed.
It relates to important subtopics like landuse, density, house type,
environmental conditions, traffic conditions or incidences of
encroachments.
A certain amount of preparation is required before start of these two
types of survey in the field. It will be as below-
a) Decision about mode of survey.
b) How would various undertake the survey?
c) How would the team members take note?
d) How and about what points would they be debriefed?
Before start of survey above mentioned issue should be sorted out.
Surveyors rely on observing approximations to key indicators as
proxies, instead of getting direct information on key indicators.
Proxy is used where observation of the key indicator itself is very
difficult.
Possible proxy indicators-
TOPIC POSSIBLE PROXY ADD YOUR OWN PROXIES
ECONOMIC GROWTH HOUSING CONSTRUCTION
DWELLING EXTENSIONS
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (KWHS)
SALE OF NEW BIKES/ VEHICLES
PROSPERITY NUMBER OF PETROL PUMPS
SALFE OF FURNISHINGS
ROOF TYPE
CHAIN STORES
TOPIC POSSIBLE PROXY ADD YOUR OWN
PROXIES

SERVICE LEVELS NUMBER OF STANDPIPES

PRIVATE WATER CARRIERS
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (KW)
USE OF PUBLIC LATRINES
ON STREET GARBAGE

WEALTH DISTRIBUTION DIFFERING NEW HOUSE

CONSTRUCTION
PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP
IMPORTED GOODS
CONSUMPTION

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION RATIO OF GIRLS IN 12+EDUCATION

HAND PUMPS OF WATER

MUNICIPAL EFFICIENCY FREQUENCY OF GARBAGE

REMOVAL OF STREET LIGHTS
A proxy is something that can inform the investigator about a variable
abut which is easier to investigate than the variable itself.
Generation proxies required imagination.
Good proxies are those which can be easily investigated and the best are
those which can be observed.
Proxies can often be misleading and must be used with care.
Generating proxies requires knowledge about the relationship between
the proxy and variable it is trying to assess.
This relationship is often area specific.
People of the area should be associated with the process of proxy
generation.
iii) DIAGRAMMING-
It can structure and present information in a readily understandable
visual form.
It can be used as a substitute for dialogue to elicit information from
repondents.
This participatory process.
Some diagrams ( e.g. sketches, and maps) can be prepared without the
assistance of informants, but they reflect the way the investigator
perceives the environment.
This method can be practised only in situations where respondents are
willing participants in the investigating activity.
DIALOGUE-
Semi structured dialogue is a flexible two way process. It is used where
some initial topics are investigated.
Semi structured dialogue is an informal process but it needs to be
managed expertly.

Following aspects are listed below-

Behavioural factors
Questioning
Probing answers
Judging responses

Cross checking
Managing the conversation
Recording the interview
Avoiding errors and biases

Non verbal communication is important to any dialogue. It consists of –

messages coming from respondents, change in tone, modulation of the
voice, attitude, and body posture.
Certain strict behavioural guidelines should be observed to minimise
impact of the investigator’s behaviour on the answers given by the
respondents. These are as below-
Maintain a comfortable social distance
Do not sit at a level above that of the observer
Do not distaste/disapproval about surrounding conditions.
Do not indicate contempt or disbelief in the answers given.
Do not refuse local hospitality.

Do not look and act too official.

Loaded and ambiguous questions should not be asked.
Contradictions and arguments should be avoided.

Probing is an impression to the informant that he/she is being cross-

examined.
Classify the information given into the following categories-

Fact Opinion
Hearsay Rumour
Keep the conversation on track.
The dialogue should be recorded immediately after it and while
recording care should be taken that a proper noting is made to
distinguish between what was actually said by the informant and what
was felt and interpreted by the investigator.
There are four common baises in conducting interview. These are-
Elite Bias
Hypothesis confirmation Bias
Concreteness Bias
Consistency Bias
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLANNING SURVEYS
No proper planning will be possible unless it is based on careful study of
the existing physical, social and economic conditions of the area for
which the plan is to be prepared.
Such study is known as “survey” in connection with regional and town
planning.
The survey is carried out by collecting data from concerned authorities,
institutions and original field work and investigation on the spot.
Census and other reports, official statistics, books, journals, maps and
charts are very useful sources for collecting data on social and economic
activities.
The following are some of essential surveys-
Mapping Physical factors
Climatology Existing land use

Population Housing
Open spaces and parks Social and utility services
Industry Trade and commerce

Traffic and transportation Agricultural and forests

Instructions for carrying out different kinds of planning surveys as
contained in Government of Maharashtra Urban Development , Public
Health and Housing Department Circular No. TPS 3664-N, dated 23rd
March 1965.