The hue and cry raised all over India and probably the world is that the fertile agricultural lands are vanishing and buildings, gated communities, neighbourhoods etc are taking shape in those places. Meanwhile the cityscape shifts in different directions, because of growth and advancements in different fields like IT and people wanting to own the latest and most modern homes and a lifestyle to go with it. On the otherside the existing localities and townships die a slow death, because of the seeming impossibility of these townships to adopt to the latest developments. Narrow roads, pollution, the old and the dilapidated buildings all contribute to the decay of the locality. Over the time the locality may become unbearable and yet on, the locality will be in ruins one day. Examples in Chennai where I live are Parry's and Triplicane.
It is time that we redesign these localities to become the latest self contained, technologically and ecologically advanced green localities that improve the cityscape tremondously and contribute in no simple measure to the infrastructure of the city. The Government, the urban planners, the competent designers and builders, the financial institutions and all such bodies shall be pooled together to shape these localities.
1. Take the locality, and get the survey done on the total population that occupies it, how much area and built up area each one of them or his/her family owns, the value of each individual's/individual family's property and all such relevant details. Tabulate them, and ascribe to each individual/family his/her/the family's worth in money value or property.
2. Make it conditional that the locality will be redesigned. The idea shall be made acceptable to its occupants in that the redesign is going to benefit the occupants and the people in the near and long run.
3. Make note of Hertage buildings and of other important features that are going to stay in the locality. These shall be incorporated in the redesign.
4. Make a scientific study of the the total number of the buildings, the total number of residences and the total population the locality can hold, depending on various factors like the soil bearing capacity of the land, water, drainage facilities and other infrastructure needed like wide roads, electricity, parking, schools and colleges, hospitals, malls and entertainment areas, parks and ponds/waterways and the like. The floor area ratio need not be limited to just two, but can and should be increased to 4,5,6, or ten, the figure being arrived at through the scientific study. The land occupancy rate shall be minimum so that huge ground area is available for landscaping. We may adopt high rise structures.
5. Offer each original occupant/family a coupen value that is commensurate with the value of his/her/its property. He,she or the family can be accommodated in the locality accordingly. During the development period the occupants must be compensated in suitable and proper manner so that they can live elsewhere during the period and come back to the locality after the development is completed.
The remaining area in excess can be sold to the outsiders, and the money acquired can finance the development.
6. Demolish what is to be demolished as per the design. See that the latest technologies are adopted for the development, so that quick and quality execution takes place. The technology may adopt methods so that a structure may be dismantled in future and recycled if needed in future. The development shall reflect the latest advancements made in ecological and environment preservation, pollution control, green buildings and energy savings, etc.
7. Compartmentalize the execution of the development into different sections, so that these sections can be executed causing least difficulties to the people. It also facilitates to take up those developments where the occupants are prepared. The developments can also be executed simultaneously.
8. Ther shall be a overseeing authority to supervise and see that everything goes according to plans and schedule. Most important, the original occupants shall find their place back, come what may, such as the loss of coupens and the like. Utmost care shall be exercised to see that unwanted elements don't hijack the scheme or part of it.
When the development is complete it will become the pride of the city. We shall be saving on the precious agricultural lands and other lands. The localities will find a new meaning in relating to the city, and its occupants will enjoy the same facilities as the newly developed areas of the city.
