1. TDC Restructuring Project Outcomes, March 2017
This project has produced three outputs, two of which are for ratification and review by the community (May 13 – June 10).
The outputs for ratification are:
Planning Principles,
Revised structure for TDC/L’avenir.
The third output is the draft Terms of Reference, which is an ongoing, amendable document.
Please do the following:
Read through the slides and the documentation below, and
Send your questions and suggestions to the RAS by Thursday, April 20, 5 pm either by to or in the comments section of the website

2. Part 1 - Draft Terms of Reference (ToR) and Planning Principles

3. Detail Development Plan
1. Planning Principles: express the principles and immediate goals
for the manifestation of Auroville township
2. Terms of Reference (ToR): detail guidelines for urban
planning, regional co-development, environment,
socioeconomic aspects, bio-region, resource and
waste management. Process road map
for consultation, outputs, evaluation,
implementation regulations and
success indicators.
Detail Development Plan
(DDP): Translate the
development priorities
guided by the ToR
into time bound
development
program

4. Click here to view the draft ToR
Draft Terms of Reference and Planning Principles (2 of 4)
Terms of Reference:
Terms of Reference (ToR) defines the intent for the planning of Auroville, including:
underlying guiding principles (known as Planning Principles) that will shape the development plans, and
how residents can participate in defining the priorities for development to ensure an accountable, balanced and responsible growth.   
The ToR will be used:
As a referral document by the TDC in preparing the DDP’s, appointing of consultants, initiation of projects and allocation of funds, facilitation and implementation of the DDP.
To guide the selection and functioning of the Interface group that will be delegated to represent the residents of Auroville, as the interface for participatory planning through delegation to identify the development priorities, preparing of the DDPs and evaluation of the outputs of the TDC.
To help the various working groups in Auroville who are directly or indirectly involved in the development, management and administration of Auroville to align existing and new projects and policies to ensure interrelated and coherent development.
To facilitate the liaison with local administrative bodies; panchayat, district, state level.
To help the Governing Board of Auroville and the advisory committee to the TDC to facilitate the development of Auroville by using their good offices to garner necessary support.
Click here to view the draft ToR

5. Click here to view the Planning Principles
Draft Terms of Reference and Planning Principles (3 of 4)
Overview of Planning Principles:
vision &
av. charter
Planning principles integrate the Auroville vision and charter with key features of the galaxy and the needs of the community.
The planning principles are expressed in 5 areas, namely:
Environment
Galaxy concept
Urban Planning and Design
Socio-Economic
Bio-Region
Planning Principles
city the earth needs
key features of the galaxy
Click here to view the Planning Principles

6. Draft Terms of Reference and Planning Principles (4 of 4)
Question for Residents to respond to with regard to Planning Principles:
Do the Planning Principles express the principles and the immediate goals needed for the manifestation of Auroville township?
Do you have anything to add in terms of the main topics:
Key Features of the Galaxy?
Environment?
Urban Planning and Design?
Socio-Economic?
Bio-Region?
Process and timeline needed to ensure that questions and inputs are responded to

7. Part 2- Proposal for restructuring the TDC-L‘Avenir

8. Why the need to change the current structure of L’Avenir / TDC?
Community representation and technical function are presently merged under one body
There is a need for one group that provides INPUT from the community and another group that provides technical OUTPUT. Having two groups enables clear division of responsibilities between community consultation and delivering of technical work.
Some of the tasks within TDC are presently a duplication of existing working groups
This can lead to conflicts with inputs / outputs of overlapping areas in working groups, duplication of effort and human resource.
Disproportionate allocation of human resources considering the work load in comparison to the tasks to be undertaken
By seperating client body and technical teams it is possible to ensure that the client group is composed of people with the capacity to represent the community and a vision of the long term goals while the technical team is populated with persons with capacity to deliver the expected task.

9. Proposed revised structure of L’Avenir / TDC
Residents Assembly
Planning Principles
Endorses and ratifies
TDC/ L’Avenir D’Auroville
Terms of Reference (ToR)
Interface
Continues the work on the draft TOR for RA ratification
Selects Technical and Planning office, development brief & priorities
Prepares DDP in consultation with Client Group
Detail Development Plan (DDP)
Technical

10. TDC/L’Avenir D’Auroville
Roles of the Groups:
Selects the members of the Interface group using Participatory Selection Process
Communication & evaluation
Residents Assembly
Responsible for functional areas of work such as town planning, urban design, resource mobilisation etc, together with accountability and delivery towards the community
Strong emphasis on constructive and active participation and engagement of residents through work teams, workshops and other events
TDC/L’Avenir D’Auroville
Interface
Performs technical function
Implements planning and development decisions
Prepares DDP based on ToR and development priorities
Technical

11. 1 x Governing Board nomimee* 1 x Working Committee nominee*
Interface Group
Composition
13 members selected by RA and responsible for the following Functional Areas of work:
Town Planning
Urban Design
Physical infrastructure
Social infrastructure
Economic Development
Applied research on sustainable development
Resource mobilisation
Implementation and monitoring
Green belt/zone and parks
Communication
1 x Governing Board nomimee*
1 x Working Committee nominee*
Roles & Responsibilities
Selection of the technical group
Ensure the planning and development of the Auroville Township by:
Undertaking the completion and ratification of the draft ToR
Overseeing the preparation of the DDP
Identifying the development priorities including infrastructure needs in consultation with the community
Consultation / communication / reporting to the community, GB and relevant authorities
Coordinating the funding / fund allocation and out-sourcing of works
Selection
Selected by community through Participatory Selection Process (2014)
Candidates should have experience in fields they are selected for, some basic technical knowledge of the field for liaison with the community, and be able to work as a team. Probation period of 3 months recommended.
* Not appointed through TDC participatory selection process

12. Administrative / management skills Policy and strategic planning
Technical Group
Skills Required
Administrative / management skills
Policy and strategic planning
Urban planners / architects / GIS / environmental planners
Technical (engineers) and financial skills
Legal and political skills to liaise with local / state orgs
Roles and Responsibilities
To prepare the DDP based on the inputs received from the TDC
To prepare and approve development proposals
To manage the office operations, administrative process, budgets, tenders, project monitoring, hire and employing technical, administrative and supportive staff & resources for the regular work implementation 
To liaise with the local authorities in coordination with WC for matter related to land protection
To create sub-group, task force and appoint facilitators, resources people for the implementation of the above task after getting endorsement from the TDC as required.
To short list & help appoint external consultants, as and when required, as per the scope of work approved the TDC
Selection Process
Nominated by the Interface Team

13. Agreement on the Planning Principles Revised Structure of the TDC
The ratification of this proposal as a package by the RA ✔  

14. FAQ’s
What is the difference between the Planning Principles and the ToR?
The planning principles integrate the Auroville vision & charter, the key features of the galaxy concept and the needs of the residents of Auroville.
The ToR provides detailed guidelines based on the planning principles and will be used as a process road map for outputs.
What is the difference between the proposed TDC structure and the existing structure?
Proposed TDC structure separates Technical and Representative functions and creates one body that interacts with the community (Interface Group) and another that is free to concentrate on planning function (Technical Group). This helps to create clear accountabilities making implementation and monitoring easier.
How has the community been involved in the development of these documents and this proposal?
Various working groups have been consulted throughout the project duration. Residents were invited to a workshop held in April 2016 which gave input to formulating the ToR & work on restructuring, Further work sessions were held with residents in November 2017 which helped evolve the ToR & Planning Principles. Two GM’s have been held on this topic thus far, one in September 2016 and another in March The final GM is planned for April 2017.