Before going any further, you must evaluate and find out for yourself, which is the approving authority (Municipal Corporation, etc.) for developments in the locality that you are interested in. In certain areas and towns this could even take the form of a Panchayat (for e.g. Sylvan County at Mahindra World City is in an area where the local body is a Panchayat). Knowing the local body concerned is important as it could give you an idea of the likely infra-structure at the location, for e.g., water, electricity, sewage disposal, etc. Needless to add, at times developers themselves take on the onus of providing some of the infra-structure requirements (like is being done in the case of Sylvan County in Mahindra World City). Most local bodies also have a development plan for the entire area under their jurisdiction. Examining this plan (it is readily available at the office of the local body) could give you insights into the developmental activities planned by the local bodies around the location you are interested in. In a development plan typically local bodies concerned give the details of the zoning of the entire area under their jurisdiction. This would include zones for commercial development (offices, etc.), housing, open spaces and other amenities like schools, colleges, etc. Roads, bridges, already existing and proposed are also clearly indicated in the plan. Most municipal authorities also have a website which should give other information on taxes, etc. For e.g. B.M.C. in Mumbai has a site namely:- www.mcgm.gov.in Similarly, the Pune Municipal Corporation has a site called :- www.egovpmc.com The site address of the Pune-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation is http://209.235.195.56 The Town Planning Department of Tamil Nadu has a website http://www.tn.gov.in/citizen/ctdp.htm