Digital and statutory: GIS-based Master Plans in Indian cities

4th Digital Geographies Conference, Instituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território (IGOT), University of Lisbon, 3–4 November 2025

This talk examined how the introduction of GIS-based Master Plans in Indian cities has been reshaping urban planning and decision-making. It brought together three perspectives: urbanization and digitalization in the Global Majority, digital technologies in planning, and the role of the Master Plan in framing urban decision-making. Drawing on these perspectives, the talk explored three questions: whether GIS-based Master Plans were opening planning to more inclusive interests or reproducing existing priorities; whether digital technologies were transforming the Master Plan itself or simply transferring existing planning practices into a digital format; and whether the reform was strengthening statutory planning and reshaping the balance between state and central governments.

More information
https://www.igot.ulisboa.pt/eventos/4th-digital-geographies-conference