Urban Development and Metropolitan Management in India and Other developing countries, has so far been an exercise in 'crisis management' with ad-hoc policies and place-meal programmes without anticipating or diagnosing the Impact of this management system on the vital functions in urban areas. This is often attributed to lack of appropriate technical tools to address the problems in a comprehensive manner to find out short-term and long-term solutions.

This research study attempts to fulfill this gap by formulating an appropriate systems dynamics model comprising an appropriate systems dynamics model comprising four major sectors, namely, the population, economic activity, environmental facility and urban developments programmes. The computer programming is done using 'Dynamo' computer language first developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), U.S.A. The functional validity of the model was tested for Madras Metropolitan Area by simulating the model with three different development scenarios.
The systems model projected here has been formulated with reference to the developing countries and is perhaps the only one of its kind in this area of urban development.

This large-size volume is the outcome of extensive research carried out by the author in Urban Development and Management in Japan. The book also deals with the background study in order to focus attention on the process of urbanisation and the stages at which policy Interventions should have been applied to reverse deteriorating trends in Urban Development. This large-size volume is the outcome of extensive research carried out by the author in Urban Development and Management in Japan. The book also deals with the background study in order to focus attention on the process of urbanisation and the stages at which policy interventions should have been applied to reverse deteriorating trends in Urban Development.

Dr. Thirumurthy's urban development model, using systems approach, and programmed on the 'Dynamo' Computer Language explains every component in detail with the help of Charts and Graphs. The basic framework formulated in the model can be applied to any urban area with change in values only rather than the principles governing the model. The Principle language is gaining more and more Importance in the Field of planning, engineering and research.
This comprehensive essential reference volume is Intended to be used as a Consultancy aid by the wide range of National and State level Urban Development Agencies Including City Development Authorities, Municipal Corporations and the wide range of vocational groups who work in this field. The book would be highly useful to teachers 8 students of urban and regional planning and management.

The book comprises 6 major chapters.

The first chapter deals with urban problems in the developing countries, their causes and effects, and need for a comprehensive technical tool to address the problems to bring about meaningful changes in the urban development policies and programmes.

The second chapter is addressed to the literature background of the text : the type of studies that were done for advanced countries using systems dynamics approach for urban systems in developing country like India ; the need to orient the conventional systems dynamics approach to suit the developing country's need ; and, the approach that can be used for short-term and long-term urban development policies and programmes with major emphasis on " Improvement to the Economic Affordability Level", particularly the environmental living standard.

The third chapter attempts to bring out the urbanisation trends in India, and the problems and prospects. The study methodology that is adopted for a developing country is Illustrated exclusively. Four major sectors relating to population, Economic Activity, Environmental Facilities, and Urban Development, Programmes, have been explained in detail to form the basis for the model have also been elaborated.

The fourth chapter revolves around the actual model building methodology taking the Madras urban area for this case-study. The process of urbanisation, the problems, the social-economic activities' status, the essential environment, facility levels and the urban development, finance and management programmes, have been detailed out to a very large extent.

Chapter five essentially deals with the model behavior, the urban development policy determinants, the sequence of simulation and the results of three simulation runs with different urban development perspectives.

Chapter six deals with the conclusions drawn from three simulation exercises and the suggestions for future modeling efforts. A wide range of tables, diagrams, flow-charts and graphs, Including the entire computer programme using "Dynamo" language, are given with appropriate and detailed explanations.

This exhaustive and critical appraisal of urban problems, and trade offs particularly, with reference to urban services in the form of Dynamic Modeling should be of great importance and interest to Urban Managers, Professionals, Researchers and Scholars.

E.F.N. Ribeiro,
Director,
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.

Applying the Principles of Systems and the " Dynamo Computer Language " Dr. Thirumurthy has been able to successfully cover a wide range of urban problems and put forth a new doctrine towards urban development in developing countries.

Etsuo Yamamura,
Professor and Chairman,
The Graduate School of Environmental Science,
Hokkaido University, Japan. 

The urban development modeling and the model structure described in this volume amply provide for the necessary direction and scope for practical application and evaluation. This book, I am sure, will be a very useful reference for all those who are engaged in urban development policy making, management, research, teaching and pursuit.

Prof. S.K. Khanna,
Vice Chairman,
University Grants Commission,
Government of India, New Delhi

A Study of this dimension certainly speaks of the vast professional and academic experience of the author. The basic concept and the systems model has a vast scope for application in various disciplines of urban management.

Prof. M. Anandakrishnan
Vice Chancellor,
Anna University, Madras.