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Current affairs of 9 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams
News
World Town Planning Day (World Urbanism Day) is observed every 8 November to raise awareness among the public and decision-makers about the value of planning. It was started in 1949 by Professor Carlos María della Paolera of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is now observed in more than 30 countries and promoted by the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. Early concerns were regenerating run-down areas, reducing overcrowding, building parks and cleaning up air and water. No global official theme for 2026 was confirmed; the American Planning Association held a virtual conference on 6 November titled 'Great Communities are Built on Planning'. It is distinct from the UN's World Cities Day on 31 October.
Key facts for the exam
Point
Details
Date
8 November (annual)
Founder
Prof. Carlos María della Paolera
Year / place
1949, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Emblem
Blue top (air), green bottom (land), gold sun in centre
History of planning: Ebenezer Howard proposed the 'Garden City' in 1898 – self-contained small towns ringed by a green belt. Scotland's Patrick Geddes was invited to Madras in 1914 and worked in India for about ten years; seeing Madras Presidency towns he coined the term 'temple city' (Modern Review, 1919). Chandigarh was designed by Le Corbusier.
Constitution: the 74th Amendment (1992) added Part IXA (Municipalities) and the 12th Schedule. The first of its 18 subjects is 'urban planning including town planning'; the second, 'regulation of land use and construction of buildings'. Article 243ZE provides for the Metropolitan Planning Committee.
Geography/economy: planning coordinates land-use zoning, road networks, public transport, open space and flood drainage. Unplanned growth leads to congestion, flooding, slums and pollution; good planning raises investment and quality of life.
Tamil Nadu link: Tamil Nadu: under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) handles planning across the State; for the Chennai Metropolitan Area, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) – set up as an ad hoc body in 1972 and made statutory under this Act in 1974 – prepares the Master Plan, Detailed Development Plans and new-town plans. Patrick Geddes urged Madurai to revive its car (chariot) streets and to link temple authorities with municipal planning; he admired Srirangam's concentric walls.
Frequently asked questions
What is this news about?
World Town Planning Day (World Urbanism Day) is observed every 8 November to raise awareness among the public and decision-makers about the value of planning. It was started in 1949 by Professor Carlos María della Paolera of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
What are the key facts to remember for the exam?
Date: 8 November (annual); Founder: Prof. Carlos María della Paolera; Year / place: 1949, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Emblem: Blue top (air), green bottom (land), gold sun in centre.
What is the background to this news?
History of planning: Ebenezer Howard proposed the 'Garden City' in 1898 – self-contained small towns ringed by a green belt.
