Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Slum Development / Housing

Slums first, heritage later: Grade III no longer untouchable

Friday, 11 September 2009 11:55 administrator
Print PDF

Indian Express 11.09.2009

Slums first, heritage later: Grade III no longer untouchable

Heritage structures listed as Grade-III can now be redeveloped if a slum scheme demands it, following a dilution of the norms for preservation of less prominent heritage buildings and precincts.

A notification issued by the state urban development department on September 4 removes such structures from the purview of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, clearing the decks for redevelopment under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority. This means slum redevelopment in heritage precincts will not face any height or building restrictions, so far considered necessary for the aesthetic appeal of such areas.

The new rule could herald extensive changes in the skyline of unique settlements like Hindu Colony, Parsi Colony, Banganga, Khotachiwadi, the East Indian village of Mathar Pakadi and many more, each characterised by uniform building heights and street lines.

The new notification says heritage precincts/Grade III buildings under development control rules 33/7 (dilapidated cessed buildings), DCR 33/8 (housing for dishoused), DCR 33/9 (urban renewal schemes) and 33/10 (SRA schemes) no longer need require any screening by the heritage committee. Even projects where the height of the reconstructed building exceeds 24 m can bypass the heritage committee and go ahead with “special permission from the municipal commissioner”.

Grade III structures are defined as those of importance to townscape. So far, reconstruction was allowed only if it is structurally weak or unsafe. Redevelopment was allowed only on such buildings under DCR 33/7, DCR 33/8 and DCR 33/9, that too after screening by the heritage committee. That provision has been removed entirely.

“Sixty per cent of the existing 633 heritage structures come under the category of Grade III structures and precincts. The historical fabric of these neighborhoods as well as many local landmarks will be completely destroyed now,” said Pankaj Joshi, former heritage committee member and executive director of the Urban Design Research Institute.

Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari termed this move “the slow death of the heritage movement in the city”. Less than two weeks ago, the Grade III YWCA Hostel in Colaba, a structure restored by Dilawari, won an honourable mention at the UNESCO Heritage Awards.

“We have to cater to growth but not without a masterplan in mind. Heritage precincts and Grade III structures are like grains of a tapestry. If these are eroded, heritage landmarks by themselves will lose importance. For instance, if a 24-storey building comes up right next to the Grade I CST building, the structure will fail to stand out like it does today,” Dilawari said.

Last Updated on Friday, 11 September 2009 11:59
 

9,791 houses being built under phase two of IHSDP

Thursday, 10 September 2009 00:48 administrator
Print PDF

The Hindu 10.09.2009

9,791 houses being built under phase two of IHSDP

 

Staff Reporter

Some 15,389 beneficiaries will get shelter under the scheme

Photo: S. Rambabu

The G+ two houses built under IHSDP for poor ready for ‘grihapravesam’ at Brodipet in Rajahmundry. —

Rajahmundry: The district housing department has been entrusted with the Integrated Housing Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) along with Indiramma houses and other construction works.

The works under IHSDP are going on briskly in Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Samalkot, Ramachandrapuram and Peddapuram urban areas. The programme is aimed at giving shelter to 15,389 beneficiaries in the district with an estimated cost of Rs. 185 crores.

“As the bankers are not coming forward to extend loan facility to VAMBAY housing of ground plus two floors scheme, the Central government came forward to give 60 to 70 percent as grant, 30 percent state government’s share and beneficiary has to bear 10 percent,” said G. Nookaraju, Deputy Engineer, Rajahmundry Urban Housing, and A.E. Satyanarayana.

Under first phase in Rajahmundry 3,192 G+2 houses, in Kakinada 720, Samalkot 912 and in Ramachandrapuram 768 houses were being built. Under second phase 9,791 houses are being constructed. They include 1,831 houses in Peddapuram, 2,832 houses in Rajahmundry, 3,120 in Kakinada and 2,008 in Samalkota. In phase-II some of the houses which are going to come up near AP Paper Mill here are being designed with 305 sft. On an average, the cost of each G plus two house varies between Rs.1.40 lakhs and Rs.1.60 lakhs.

According to Mr. Nookaraju, in Simhachalamnagar of Rajahmundry quarry area, 769 individual houses will be constructed with Rs.80,000 per house similar to Indiramma houses.

Almost 60 percent construction work was over under first phase. G. Satyanarayana, District Manager, Housing, has been supervising the works.

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 September 2009 00:53
 

Slum development project in limbo

Wednesday, 09 September 2009 12:40 administrator
Print PDF

The New Indian Express 09.09.2009

Slum development project in limbo
Express News Service


KOCHI: Lack of adequate fund is creating hurdles before the Corporation in implementing the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) project under the Kerala Sustainable Rural Development Plan (KSUDP) with Asian Development Bank (ADB) aid. The CIF project was proposed for slum development in the select colonies under the jurisdiction of Kochi Corporation.

“The total amount allotted for implementing the CIF in five Corporations is Rs 45 crore. As per the plan, Kochi’s share out of this amount is Rs 9 crore, which is insufficient to carry out the project,” sources said.

As a first step, 71 colonies were identified for community infrastructure development work. The plan was to execute the development works of 37 colonies in the first phase, 14 colonies in the second phase and 19 colonies in the third phase. The DPR for 66 colonies was prepared and submitted by WAPCOS, out of which works were allotted for 41 colonies. Still the project is in its initial stage and work hardly completed only in 5 colonies.

Meanwhile, a senior official said though the implementation of the project was going on, the hurdle in front of the authorities was the lack of funds.

“Work of the footpath, drainage, toilet and community centre in Karingathuruthy, Vyasapuram, Maliyekkal Parambu, Kochuparambu and Mooppan Colony have been completed. Work is on in 19 colonies also. The tender evaluation is going on for another 14 colonies,” the official said. “Construction and repair of drainage, construction of community centre and new toilets are a bit expensive. Since the conditions of many of these colonies are worse, the allotted fund of Rs 9 crore would not be sufficient enough for a City like Kochi,” the official said.

“We are planning to borrow the surplus fund from the neighbouring Corporations where the work would be completed within the stipulated budget. But it also has certain practical difficulties,” he said.

However, sources said the conditions of these colonies, where the work was carried out in the initial stage, still remain the same.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 September 2009 12:44
 
More Articles...


Page 108 of 118