Research and planning inputs to metropolitan development system

The paper emphasizes the need of developing countries like India for organizing information, research and perspective planning requirements of the Metropolitan Development System (MDS) in an integrated manner. This MDS is viewed as consisting of special agencies that are concerned with development in the various sectors, linked into a system by an appropriate organization of the information, research and planning inputs. The paper lists specific items of input required for well-informed decision making. The role of a data bank as the key element in the integrated system is stressed. It is advocated that the information, research and perspective planning inputs should be provided by the Metropolitan Development Authorities (MDA) which are being formed to coordinate metropolitan development.