Passage

Today, if we consider cities such as New York, London and Paris as some of the most iconic cities in the world, it is because plans carrying a heavy systems approach were imposed on their precincts. The backbone of the systems theory is the process of translating social, spatial and cultural desirables into mathematical models using computing, statistics, optimization and an algorithmic way of formulating and solving problems. The early universities of the West which began to train professionals in planning, spawned some of the most ingenious planners, who were experts in these domains. This was because these very subjects were absorbed into the planning curriculum that had its roots in the social sciences, geography and architecture. Planning in India, and its education differ from the West.

QUESTION

CSAT

Easy

Comprehension

Prelims 2024

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

The passage highlights that iconic cities like New York, London, and Paris have succeeded in urban planning by using a "systems approach," involving mathematical models, algorithms, and optimization techniques derived from social sciences, geography, and architecture. It also contrasts the planning and education methods in the West with those in India, implying that India's approach might lack the same interdisciplinary rigor.

Option A is correct: suggests that urban planning curricula should include a diverse, interdisciplinary approach, aligning well with the passage's emphasis on the need for a well-rounded curriculum (mathematics, social sciences, geography, etc.). This is the best inference based on the passage.

Option B is incorrect: discusses bureaucracy and lack of formal training but isn’t directly supported by the passage.

Option C is incorrect: mentions local management and funding issues, which aren't discussed in the passage.

Option D is correct: refers to population density and poverty, but the passage doesn’t address these as obstacles to planning.