Abstract
This paper describes the experience of an NGO, the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), with participatory town planning in one small and one medium-sized urban centre in the state of Chhattisgarh in India. Taking on the challenging task of reforming urban governance within the framework of development where people matter, PRIA initiated a participatory process in each of the urban centres, bringing together civil society groups and local politicians and civil servants as well as officials from state-level institutions. This sought to strike a balance between inclusive town planning and working within the legal framework. This paper explains how the various stakeholders in urban planning, including state government, municipal staff, elected representatives and citizens and civil society groups drawn from all sections of society were brought together to decide on the future of their towns. There is also a discussion of the methodology that was adopted and the challenges that were faced. This is perhaps the first time in India that an NGO has sought to address issues of equitable and integrated urban development at city level, focusing on technical issues of town planning and backed by public participation. Similar initiatives have since been launched in other urban centres.