District Spatial Plan - Thrissur GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Department of Town & Country Planning, KeralaDepartment of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

Chapter – 13GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In this chapter, the development goals evolved

for District Spatial Plan and the development objec-

tives set to achieve the goals based on the findings of

analysis are discussed. The development goals

emerged reflects the thrust areas where planning in-

tervention is required and the objectives clearly spell

out how the goals can be achieved in a real to ground

scenario.

13.1. DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The findings derived from the sector wise stud-

ies and settlement studies evolve following facts:

The Thrissur – Kochi corridor exhibits spatial con-

centration of secondary as well as tertiary activities and

is developing into a vibrant region of development

which acts as a major generator of economic momen-

tum. Analysis reveal that Thrissur district has potential

for rural activities whereas it ranks 6th with respect to

urban content among the districts in the state indicat-

ing the strength of the district in the case of urban ac-

tivities as well. At the same time primary sector too has

a considerable role in the district’s economy with nearly

25% of the total area of the district under agricultural

land use. Most of the agricultural areas are concentrated

in the mid land and high land regions of the district.

Also the general character of settlements shows that

most of them are rural in nature, indicating that there

is scope for developing the agriculture sector as one of

the economic bases of the District.

Work participation rate of the district (32%) equals

that of the state. At the same time it is well below the

desirable WPR of a developed economy. This indicates

idling of certain portion of potential work force of the

district. The situation needs change through genera-

tion of more employment opportunities for the people

of Thrissur. Diversification of economic activity to the

secondary and tertiary activity to create better job op-

portunities with due regard to ways and measures to

increasing productivity, value addition, optimum utili-

zation of resource and scientific intervention in primary

sector may therefore be resorted to promote local eco-

nomic growth.

Even though there exists Urban-Rural continuum,

the activity pattern evolved based on the land use con-

centration pattern, future urban profile and functional

classification shows that there is a clear demarcation of

areas of concentration of urban activity, agricultural

activity, agriculture and allied activity and agriculture

activity non detrimental to forests in the district, mak-

ing it possible to assign definite development charac-

ter to each region. This has to be viewed as a potential

for the overall development of the district.

The district is blessed with potential resources

such as tourism potential spots, minerals, lengthy

coastal stretch with potential for fishing, number of

religious centres with archaeological & historic impor-

tance, presence of world famous pilgrim centre

‘Guruvayoor’, four major river basins and connected

drainage network covering entire district. The analysis

of the secondary sector reveals the potential for clay

based industries, diamond & gold based industries, agro

based industries, handloom industries, book making

industries and wood based industries with in the dis-

trict. Co-ordination and inter linkage between few key

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

Department of Town & Country Planning, KeralaDepartment of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

thrust areas is essential to have a sustained develop-

ment.

Thrissur district having many higher level educa-

tional institutions and health facilities caters not only

the District but a wider influence region. Thrissur

Municpal Corporation acts as the first order settlement

in the district serving the entire district. Further there

are some centers of economic development to cater

second order functions in the other parts of the district

as well. Provision of equitable distribution of facilities

(physical & social) in a planned manner and planned

connectivity to ensure speed & safe commutation for

the entire population of the district is a concern.

The analysis of environmental sector shows the

need for protection of major ecological and environ-

mental sensitive areas of the district namely the re-

serve forest areas in the eastern high land region and

the ‘kole lands’ in between low land and mid land re-

gions of the district. The coastal belt of the district is

also another area of environmental concern.

Another aspect of concern is that Thrissur Dis-

trict with its rich history, heritage and cultural, religious

and archaeological wealth, acts as the cultural capital

of the state and this status need to be sustained through

concerted efforts.

THUS THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT GOALS FOR THEDISTRICT SPATIAL PLAN ARE,

To Develop Thrissur district as an eco-friendly

and economically vibrant region in the state

To utilize resources for economic

development with social justice in a

sustainable manner.

To Enhance and ensure local economic growth

and to create better opportunities to the

people.

To attain a certain level of self-sufficiency in

production (primary and secondary) sectors.

To attain balanced development through

equitable spatial distribution of facilities.

To conserve cultural and heritage fabrics of

the district so as to sustain the status of

cultural capital of the State.

To attain Ecological conservation and

environmental protection.

13.2. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

In order to achieve the development goals set

above, development objectives have to be set through

synthesis of the findings evolved from the sectoral and

settlement analysis and general planning parameters.

Developing Thrissur district as an eco-friendly and

economically vibrant region in the state is one of the

development goal of District Spatial Plan Thrissur.

Thrissur district contributes 9.87 % of the GDP of the

state and is ranked third in the state in this respect. As

per Economic Review-2009, during the period 2008-09

(at constant price of 1999-2000), 62.58 % of the GDP of

the district is contributed by tertiary sector and is ranked

third in the state. Whereas the contribution of second-

ary sector is also comparatively high with 25.02% and is

ranked third in the state. Thrissur district, with per capita

income of Rs 42316/- ranks fourth among districts of the

state and shows second highest growth rate in this re-

gard. All the above points to the potential of the dis-

trict in developing into a vibrant region of economic

development in the state. As stated earlier, the Thrissur

– Kochi corridor exhibits spatial concentration of sec-

ondary as well as tertiary activities and is developing

into a vibrant region of development which acts as a

major generator of economic momentum. Measures

for providing impetus to development of this region

are required.

The analysis of the occupational structure of the

district points to a disturbing situation about the eco-

nomic base of the district. The number of workers in

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District Spatial Plan - Thrissur GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Department of Town & Country Planning, KeralaDepartment of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

primary sector of production namely cultivators and

agricultural labourers show declining trend. Among the

total workers only 17% of workers constitute agricul-

ture laborers and cultivators, indicating decline in agri-

culture activity and in turn the rural nature of the Dis-

trict. The occupational structure of the district shows

that more than 75% of the total workers engage in non

agricultural pursuits. Even in rural areas of the district,

more than 50% of workers belong to non primary sec-

tors, mainly service or tertiary sector. Number of work-

ers in service sector is on the increase. Number of in-

dustrial workers shows a slight increase. It is observed

that rural areas of the district are slowly withdrawing

from primary sector and depends more on service sec-

tor and on industrial sector to a certain extent. Thus a

shift (mainly towards service sector and slightly to sec-

ondary sector) in the occupational structure of the dis-

trict (even in rural areas) resulting in the possible de-

struction of the rural character of rural areas is taking

place. There is dilution in the rural nature of the rural

areas of the district as far as the occupational structure

is considered. At the same time industrial activity in

the urban areas is also on the decrease and the share of

other workers category in the work force is increasing.

This has resulted in narrowing down of the boundary

distinguishing the character of rural and urban areas in

terms occupational structure. Besides, the rate of in-

crease in number of main workers shows a decreasing

trend within the district indicating disturbing picture

about employment generation, resource utilization and

economic base which in turn point to low economic

growth.

Comparing industrial and commercial land uses, it

is seen that land under commercial use is higher,

indicating domination of tertiary sector over secondary

sector. Also, in 2008-2009, 62.58 % of NSDP of the district

is from tertiary sector compared to 25.02% from the

secondary sector, supporting the same. Another

important aspect to be noted that 25 % of total area of

the district is still under agricultural use. This indicates

that agricultural development is still having a potential

in the district.

The population growth rate pattern among LSGs of

the District shows that growth rate is highest in those

LSGs adjacent to Thrissur Municipal Corporation and

other Municipal Councils. It can be presumed that

migrants to the district prefer to live in the periphery

of urban areas rather than within. If this tendency is

continued, it will result in the undesirable spread of

urban areas and conversion of agricultural land in rural

areas for residential and other nonagricultural purposes

resulting in the destruction of the economic base of

rural areas. Thrissur District shows even more level of

urbanization when compared to the State average. And

also, the level of urbanization shows an increasing

trend within the District pointing out the fact that

significant change in the urban profile of the district.

In brief, there is need to ensure appropriate forward

and backward linkages i. between urban areas of the

district and its rural hinter lands and ii. between

primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of production

so as revitalize the urban as well as rural areas of the

district to enhance socio-economic growth. This

necessitates planned intervention, such that selective

concentration of urban and rural economic activities is

made possible in the district in designated spatial

regions.

The analysis clearly bring out the fact that the district

is blessed with its rich cultural resources, heritage value,

art institutions, religious monuments etc… which in fact

played a crucial role in the evolution of the district as

‘cultural capital’ of the state. The analysis also shows

that In addition to its traditional status of cultural

capital; at present Thrissur District also act as an

educational and health hub. But the serious efforts

towards effective and sustainable utilization of the

above mentioned cultural and heritage resources are

not emerged out from the analysis. Hence any planning

attempt should address the conservation and effective

utilization of these cultural and heritage fabric of the

district. In this context, one should think of how these

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES District Spatial Plan - Thrissur

Department of Town & Country Planning, KeralaDepartment of Town & Country Planning, Kerala

cultural and heritage fabric can be effectively utilized

to enhance the tourism potential of the district. Thrissur

district has got potential to develop the tourism spots

in connection with eco tourism, adventure tourism,

religious tourism and heritage tourism.

The district is endowed with abundant natural

resources also. Mining activities especially of clay and

granite and black sand has got immense potential within

the district; the potential areas are lower part of the

mid land areas and lower part of the up land areas in

the southern part of the district. Coastal belt is suitable

for marine fishing. Areas surrounding the inland water

bodies in north-west and south-west regions of the

district are found suitable for developing inland fishing

on a commercial basis. Forest area within the district

has got economic potential. Also it is one of the main

environmentally sensitive areas of the district.

From the study of existing hierarchy of settlements,

it is seen that there is uneven distribution of higher

order settlements. The existing pattern of higher order

settlements do not follow the population distribution

creating a distorted spatial structure. This necessitates

reorganizing of the spatial structure of the district so as

to arrive at a planned settlement hierarchy to attain

equitable distribution of facilities and balanced

development.

Although the district has fairly good network of

roads, the existing connectivity pattern is not sufficient

to distribute smoothly the movements of people,

goods and services. The future requirements in this

connection shall also be taken into account. Therefore

it is essential to develop a proper road network based

on spatial structure of the district.

The analysis of environmental sector shows the

concentration ecological and environmental sensitive

areas of the district mainly in two areas; the reserve

forest area in the eastern high land region and the ‘kole

lands’ in between low land and mid land regions of the

district. Even though the ecological conservation of

forests is showing positive trend, considering the

pressures for revitalization of forest economy and

tourism there has to be definite conservation

perspectives for this area. Obviously, the already

disturbed ‘kole land’ areas, watershed based drainage

channels, etc... also needs to be conserved and

whatever pollution generated in the urban centers

needs to be brought down. The coastal stretch of the

district is another area of environmental concern.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

1. To take all possible measures for providing

impetus to development of the Thrissur- Kochi

corridor as a generator of economic momentum.

2. To selectively concentrate urban and rural

economic activities and diversify the economic

base mainly through strengthening production

sectors

3. To attain a certain level of self-sufficiency in

production (primary and secondary) sectors and

deliberate planning intervention in service

sector so that service sector enhances the

production sectors.

4. To develop the key sectors of development of

the district so that the integration of these

sectors can ensure and trigger the socio-

economic development of the district.

5. To conserve the existing cultural and heritage

fabrics of the district in a planned manner and to

utilize them effectively and sustainably for

developing tourism sector.

6. To achieve equitable spatial distribution of

facilities through a network of regional/sub

regional and service centers which are linked to

the service region through rational

transportation network

7. To conserve the ecologically sensitive areas and

to minimize environmental pollution so as to

ensure sustainable development.

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