GIS happens to be the most suitable tool for preparation of Development Plans for a town or a city. Normally while RFPs are floated by Town Planning Authorities for selection of consultants for preparation of GIS based Development plans, zonal plans etc. such expertise and experience are asked for. 

GIS data is more reliable and substantiates field visit data on finance and technical aspects, which can have a real value addition to 

• Municipal capacity enhancement
• Urban infrastructure investment 
• Project management support

Governments are under pressure to deliver a range of services such as land records, health, education and municipal services in a manner that is timely, efficient, economical, equitable and transparent. Information Technology (IT) comes as an excellent tool to the governments which are keen to respond to these demands and to hasten the pace of development, The application of IT in the developmental process of the government, e-governance in short, can have a profound impact on the efficiency, responsiveness and accountability of the governments and on the quality of life and productivity of citizens, especially the poor and ultimately on the economic output and growth of the country as a whole.

The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to encourage sustainable urban development in the country, including the recently declared national incentive-linked fund, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The reforms agenda defined under the JNNURM initiative, emphasizes on the need for introducing e-governance, using IT applications like, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Management Information System (MIS) for various services provided by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Further, it has been envisaged to bring property tax reforms by adopting GIS, so that property tax realization efficiency increases and the ULBs can make arrangements on its own for effective implementation of developmental programs.

Respondents should address the need for verification of data by owners of land /property to prevent fraud and also to ensure boundaries are being measured correctly. GIS is an updated electronic  mapping tool which in the old days depended on updates of hand drawn cartographic maps, and allows for fraud/ prevention of fraud to be ensured in the process of sale /purchase/change of property ownership

GIS is the basic tool, which  will help to understand ground realities and ensures further development hence is very much needed for town planning proposal

Watetown has an internet-based mapping interface for accessing GIS data. The MapsOnline map application allows anyone to access GIS data, create custom maps for areas of interest, and look up information like tax parcel data. The online map can be used to search for specific areas of town and can also be used to look at specific layers of data within these zoomed in areas. The application is designed for creating custom maps which can then be downloaded (to PDF) or printed directly from the web appliction.

http://www.watertown-ma.gov/index.aspx?NID=664

At the RFP stage and before floating the RFP, GIS assessments are not required. That should be included in the TORs of consultant to conduct the same after their selection. The idea is to own the overall assignment by the selected consultant.

At the RFP stage and before floating the RFP, GIS assessments are not required. That should be included in the TORs of consultant to conduct the same after their selection. The idea is to own the overall assignment by the selected consultant.

I believe so

I totally agree with the colleagues who made above comments. From my point of view, GI technology (GIS and RS) plays a facilitating role for spatial planning and development. To give you some inspiration about the topic, I wish to share some of my articles. In addition to the text, the refrences will be helpful. Enjoy your reading:)

Conference Paper The Role of SDI in the Spatial Planning Process of Turkey

Conference Paper A DISASTER RESILIENCE MODEL FOR URBAN SETTLEMENTS WITH A BEN...

Article A Landscape Project Approach of the Corridor of the Imrahor ...

I totally agree with the colleagues who made above comments. From my point of view, GI technology (GIS and RS) plays a facilitating role for spatial planning and development. To give you some inspiration about the topic, I wish to share some of my articles. In addition to the text, the refrences will be helpful. Enjoy your reading:)

Conference Paper The Role of SDI in the Spatial Planning Process of Turkey

Conference Paper A DISASTER RESILIENCE MODEL FOR URBAN SETTLEMENTS WITH A BEN...

Article A Landscape Project Approach of the Corridor of the Imrahor ...