Planning Theory and Survey Techniques – Physical Development Planning

30 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture on physical development planning processes in Malawi.

National Physical Development Plan (NPDP)

A national-level spatial framework that coordinates and guides development programs, establishes an ordered hierarchy of settlements, and is prepared and reviewed by the Commissioner for Physical Planning every 10 years.

District Physical Development Plan (DPDP)

A regional or district-scale plan that elaborates NPDP principles, surveys local conditions, identifies growth centers and major investments, and provides a general land-use plan for the district/region.

Local Physical Development Plan (LPDP)

A statutory plan prepared by a local government authority showing present and future land and transport uses, used to guide decisions on development applications within its jurisdiction.

Background Studies Report

The analytical component of a physical development plan that compiles survey data, socio-economic findings, and their planning implications before policies are drafted.

Planning Policies and Proposals Document

The section of a physical development plan that sets out adopted policies, zoning, and recommended actions for future development.

Commissioner for Physical Planning

The national official responsible for preparing, approving, and periodically reviewing the NPDP and other statutory physical development plans.

Urban Structure Plan

A comprehensive land-use or outline zoning scheme covering an entire urban area, broadly allocating land for housing, commerce, industry, institutions, and infrastructure.

Detailed Layout Plan

A fine-scale land-use plan for part of an urban area showing individual plots, access roads, and detailed arrangements for development, redevelopment, or upgrading.

Urban Civic Plan

An elaborate design plan focusing on special civic areas of a city, detailing building siting, infrastructure, architectural, engineering, and landscaping features.

Subject Physical Development Plan

A sector-specific plan addressing one subject—e.g., transport, water, housing, environment, tourism—within the broader planning framework.

Land Use Plan

A map or document outlining how land within an area is allocated for various uses such as residential, commercial, industrial, and open space.

Hierarchy of Settlements

An ordered system of urban and rural centers ranked by size and function to promote equitable spatial development, emphasized in the NPDP.

Stakeholder Consultation

Meetings and engagement activities with community representatives and other parties to gather input during preparation and revision of plans.

Base Map

The foundational map (often topographic) showing existing physical features on which planners draw new proposals and updates.

Existing Land Use Map

A map that records the current uses of land in the planning area, serving as a baseline for zoning and future development decisions.

Socio-economic Survey

Field data collection on population, livelihoods, and social conditions used to inform the Background Studies Report of a plan.

Zoning Proposals

Draft allocations of land for specific uses or intensity levels presented during plan preparation for review and refinement.

Public Display

The statutory period—typically 60 days—during which draft plans are exhibited for public review and comment.

Town Planning Committee

The local council body that reviews, endorses, and adopts physical development plans before they are submitted to the Commissioner.

Legal Adoption (of Plan)

The formal approval of a physical development plan, after which its provisions become legally binding on all stakeholders and developers.

Wayleave

A reserved strip of land designated for utility networks such as electricity lines, water supply, or telecommunications.

Topographic Map

A detailed representation of natural and man-made land features, including contours, often used as a preferred base map at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale.

Participatory Planning

A planning approach that actively involves community members and stakeholders in identifying needs and shaping development plans.

Sectoral Plan

Another term for a subject physical development plan focusing on a single development sector like forestry, sanitation, or tourism.

Implementation Phasing

The practice of rolling out plan proposals in stages according to need or forecast demand for different land uses.

Perimeter Survey

A field exercise mapping the outer boundary of the area to be planned and noting physical changes and key features.

Layout Plan Approval

The formal endorsement of a detailed layout plan by the Planning Committee after both internal and external reviews.

Physical Development Plan Monitoring

Ongoing tracking of the implementation of approved plans, subdivisions, and development applications to ensure compliance.

Plan Revision

The periodic update of an existing plan—such as the NPDP’s 10-year review—to adapt to new social, economic, or political conditions.

Land Allocation

The process of assigning specific plots, as shown on a layout plan, to developers or users for development.