Decoding Zoning Colours For Land Mapping
Usually, development authorities use land maps in which they use different colours to notify the usage pattern. These colours are used for graphically displaying land uses, roads, public infrastructure, and community facilities.Â
In this article, we try to simplify the pattern for homebuyers and property owners.Â
Colour | Land use |
Light Yellow | Main/mixed residential use land |
Dark Yellow | Mixed residential use properties. Essential services such as grocery store, doctor’s clinic can be permitted. Around 33 per cent commercial activity is permitted in yellow zone. |
Green | For maintaining greenery or agricultural land. The shades of green can be used for signifying forest, lake, valley, pond, garden or cemetery |
Red | Public and semi-public use area for temple, educational institutes. |
Light Blue | For commercial purpose such as Central Business District, Offices etc |
Dark Blue | For retail purpose such as eateries, hotels, malls, cinema halls |
Purple/Violet- Light shade | For industrial purpose and establishment |
Purple/Violet- Dark shade | For high tech industries |
Gray | For heavy industries |
The Black-White Codes
At times, planners use monochrome colors for land mapping and to differentiate land use categories. While the hatched patterns indicate denser land uses with heavier patterns, open space or recreational areas are left blank or lightly patterned.
| Â Pattern | Â Land use |
Cross hatches with darker patterns | Residential |
Slanted lines, darker patterns | Commercial |
Points, diamonds, stars | Industrial, transportation and utilities |
Vertical lines | Public use |
Stipple patterns | Parks and recreation |
Curved lines | Agricultural |
Land zoning in India
Land use zoning in India is Euclidean-based, meaning it creates land use classifications (i.e. residential, multi-family, commercial) by geographic area. However, now the land uses are taken up with a more integrated approach.
For instance, a mixed residential zone allows everything that was allowed in primary residential, as well as banks, restaurants, shops, bakeries, etc. The commercial land use zone allows everything in primary residential and mixed residential.