Kerala - Kochi   

HUDCO team to study urban design

Staff Reporter

Presentation on study methodology at corporation today

TOWERING HEIGHTS: A HUDCO study will evaluate the floor area ratio, which decides the maximum height to which buildings can be constructed, in the city. — Photo: H. Vibhu

KOCHI: A study on urban design of the city — its looks, structural growth, built form and visual identity — will be undertaken soon.

An expert team of urban designers and architects from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) will make a preliminary presentation on the proposed methodology of the study at the Kochi Corporation Council Hall on Monday. The study is being undertaken as part of the development of a master-plan for the city.

The HUDCO team, led by its Executive Director, Design and Development, will study the salient features of the city and propose a design for its future development. The proposals of the study will be in conformity with the vision of the master-plan, says an urban planner.

The corporation has decided to entrust the task of completing the urban design to HUDCO, considering its expertise in the sector, says E.M. Sunilkumar, Chairman of the Town Planning Standing Committee of the civic body.

The HUDCO team toured the old city and west Kochi areas on Sunday.

The team will visit other parts of the city on Monday after the presentation at the corporation office.

The trip to west Kochi is of significance as architects are expected to draw up an urban development concept for the area, which will receive funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission project.

As west Kochi is steeped in history and heritage and it being one of the most densely populated areas, a fine balance between urban development and maintenance of the traditional charms of the old town will be required, it is said.

Classification of zones in the city, assessment of floor area ratio (FAR), the crucial index of vertical structural growth, and landscaping the city will be there in the urban design. These aspects are being considered integral components of city master plans.

The FAR index of Kochi, now between 3 and 4, is high compared with other major cities in the country. The index of the State is between 1.5 and 1.75, whereas Chennai's is between 1.5 and 2. Based on the index, height of buildings is decided in a city.

The FAR proposed will have to be in tune with the Coastal Regulation Zone Act and seismic zoning of the area, experts say.

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