Abstract

This chapter uses the notion of ‘periphery’ in two ways: first, as a positionality to reassess planning practices within a relational milieu of power; and second, there is a focus on geographic peripheries of cities, or peri-urban areas, where presumptions regarding territorial powers of state are disrupted, by jurisdictions of multiple government bodies, as well as interests of land owners and investors. It discusses Kolkata and Hyderabad’s peri-urban experiences and examines the extent to which city-level planning authorities and planners in these authorities were able to direct, exercise control and participate in place-making. The state-governments’ place-making efforts to attract external investors and gain greater financial autonomy became locationally focused on state capitals such as Kolkata and Hyderabad; particularly their peri-urban areas. The chapter argues that planning is shaped by urban power geographies and there is a need for planning practice to be analysed through frames that go beyond spatial and normative outcomes and binaries such as success/failure and rule/exception.