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Master Plan

Operation planning

Tuesday, 07 December 2010 09:24 administrator
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The New Indian Express  07.12.2010

Operation planning

KOCHI: Planning approach

The Kochi Master Plan, in its planning approach, has divided the Kochi City Region into 11 planning divisions. The planning divisions one, two and three are Fort Kochi and Mattanchery, Willingdon Island and Ernakulam. The other divisions include Chellanam, Kumbalangi, Maradu and Kumabalam, Tripunithura and Thiruvankulam, Vadavukode-Puthenkurissu, Kalamassery and Thrikkakara, Eloor, Cheranallur and Varappuzha.

The eleventh planning division includes Elamkunnappuzha, Mulavukadu, Njarakkal and Kadamakkudy. The master plan further says that a strategy for these 11 divisions has to be planned and developed to make them ‘self-contained.’ Considering the population size and intensity of development, each area can be further divided into sub-divisions.

Tasks ahead

Experts say that the Plan employs planning divisions and planning sub-divisions as major planning tools which is a good move. This brings in some sort of flexibility into the Plan. The strategy of bringing in inclusive land-use categories is also welcome. These initiatives and the departure from regular rigid, exclusive land-use zoning are also appreciable, they pointed out.

Each planning sub-division is around 5 sq km area of intense urban development. Hence, preparation of detailed town planning schemes are essential. The challenge lies in implementing the urban renewal projects in a participatory mode involving all stakeholders.

“Within the 13 planning sub-divisions of Planning Division 3 in Ernakulam Mainland, it is noted that almost all major roads have been marked for widening. Along with the widening, as a fallout of the same, the Development Control Regulations (DCR) allows higher intensity of development on its immediate sides of varying widths ranging from 75 m to 150 m each,” said urban designer Ajith Vyas.

He said that the DCR also limits the total built up area of non-residential buildings under regular R1, R2 and C1 zones within 150, 300 and 500 sq m. “This would mean that all large projects will be implemented within the 75 m or 150 m boundary.

The impact of this decision needs to be explored in detail on a sample area and the final urban form derived for a horizon year of 2031 would show dramatic congestion in the 3D form generated.

It is suggested that this approach may be reconsidered while the planning sub-divisions are being designed in detail,” said Ajith Vyas.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 December 2010 09:26
 

Awareness programme on master plan proposed

Monday, 06 December 2010 04:54 administrator
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The Hindu     06.12.2010

Awareness programme on master plan proposed

Staff Reporter
Master plan would be notified in a fortnight

11 panchayats and 5 municipalities are also in master plan

Draft proposals put on website of the Chief Town planner

KOCHI: With the draft master plan for Kochi region to be notified shortly, the Kochi Corporation is planning to undertake an awareness campaign on the document.

Widespread awareness needs to be created on the proposals as they are going to decide the development course of Kochi and adjoining civic bodies for the next two decades, said K. J. Sohan, chairman of the Town Planning Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation.

As the master plan will decide on the future course of development of the Kochi region, the Town Planning Standing committee hopes to lay emphasis on the creation of awareness and finalising the views of the civic body on the issue. Discussions at various levels need to be organised for eliciting the views of the general public and experts, he said.

Besides Kochi, 11 panchayats and five municipalities are covered by the master plan. The office of the Chief Town Planner is expected to notify it within a fortnight and a specific period would be allowed for the stakeholders to file their views and complaints regarding the proposals. Once the plan document is finalised, it will not be an easy task to revise. Hence, learned views, which should be consolidated after going through the details, have to be submitted within the stipulated time, he said.

Each of the civic bodies will have to deliberate on the proposals and submit its views to the authorities separately. Kochi Corporation will also have to shape up its views and detailed discussions will have to be held for the purpose. There is also the need for creating awareness among the elected representatives of the stakeholder civic bodies. Face-to-face sessions should be organised by involving the officials from the office of the Chief Town Planner and civic representatives, Mr. Sohan said.

The draft proposals have been posted on the website of the Chief Town Planner. It would soon be uploaded to the website of the Kochi Corporation so that people can submit their views online. There is also the need for change in perceptions about development. Kochi city-centric development patterns are not going to work anymore. Development projects should go to the city suburbs and outskirts, he pointed out.

 

Mission without vision

Thursday, 02 December 2010 10:56 administrator
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The New Indian Express  02.12.2010

Mission without vision

The draft master plan for Kochi does not have a complete vision. ENS

KOCHI: The draft master plan for the city has been prepared by the Department of Town and Country Planning, Government of Kerala. The development plan for Kochi city region 2031 mainly consists of development concepts, strategies, proposals and control regulations. The draft plan includes major development issues of Kochi city region, strength, weakness, opportunities and threat (SWOT) analysis and development concepts and strategies.

The second volume of the master plan has seven main chapters — major observations from the studies and analysis, brief outline of development concepts and strategies, proposed land use, urban environment of Kochi, identity and character as part of urban design, conservation of natural and manmade heritage and implementation plan.

Lack of vision

The draft plan, which was unveiled in a hurry before the local body polls, is yet to be notified. Though the master plan touches some of the development aspects for the city, lack of vision is evident in each page.  Claiming specific flaws with the Kochi draft master plan, Kochi 2031, people from all walks of life had raised objections. They are unanimous in their opinion about the lack of vision and feel that this could spoil the purpose of the plan. The critics also alleged that in the preparation of the plan the suggestions from citizens and experts were not taken.

Public participation

Experienced town planners pointed out that it is important to see how the mechanism for public participatory process evolves to reflect the aspirations of the citizen in the formulation of urban development plans or perspective plans.

The draft plan places itself as ‘a set of guidelines’ and intends to be responsive as a ‘living document’ to the natural forces within the participatory planning mechanism.

Experts said that many primary institutional mechanisms that are needed for effective development plan preparation through public participation are still not in place, the lack of which could create roadblocks in the plan delivery.

To be continued

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 December 2010 10:58
 
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