The Area Planning Zones (APZs) are areas where urban development is permitted subject to certain regulations. Interstitial Zones (IZs) are the areas lying between the APZs; here, urban activities are restricted, giving more emphasis to environmental issues like conservation of forested areas, agriculture, etc. For planned urban growth, local planning areas under Karnataka Town & Country Planning Act, 1961, are declared in the five APZs and IZs 1 & 2. The following are the planning/ development authorities functioning in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (BMR):[3]