The economics of low-cost housing
|
K. Rajeevan, a Ph.D. from Calicut University, in a chat with Biju Govind
|
Enhancing the beauty: Low cost construction of houses will benefit different sections of the people in the future.
Many believe that the recent hike in the interest of housing loans coupled with the skyrocketing prices of land is a double whammy, which is likely to affect the prospective house builders. One of the possible solutions in this context is to cut down on expenditure on construction of housing projects.
The Hindu-Propertyplus has been devoting reasonable space highlighting the need for judicious planning on housing budgets. This time it is focusing on a successful researcher, K. Rajeevan, who was conferred Ph.D. by Calicut University
last week for his thesis: ‘Economy of Low Cost Housing in Kerala – A study with special reference of Nirmithi Kendra’.
Priority area
Mr. Rajeevan, who hails from Vadakara in Kozhikode district, says that one of the problems faced by the State economy is housing since it is one of the economic activities taking place in a large-scale. However, it can be solved if the construction of houses is done through effective techniques and environment-friendly technology.
In fact, his inspiration to choose the subject came from statements of many people who opt to construct a Nirmithi-style house but do not mind spending any amount of money on the construction of the house.
Many had weird ideas of beautifully designed low-cost housing pioneered by British-born Indian architect Laurie Baker, says Mr. Rajeevan, who completed the project under the supervision of A.K. Sarada, senior lecturer, of the Department of Commerce and Management Studies. His five-year study starting from 2001-2002 is said to be the first of its kind in the State.
Mr. Rajeevan, who earlier worked as an accounts officer with the Nirmithi Bhavan at Vadakara is now Finance Officer of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project in Kozhikode city. “My job with the Nirmithi Bhavan helped me to have a better understanding of the housing problems and the needs of society of the State,” he says.
Major finding
A major finding of his study is that locally available materials are chosen for enhancing the beauty of external appearance of houses and that loan facilities are the main indicators for the number and style of houses. Another finding is that many of the beneficiaries have no direct involvement in the construction of their own house.
He says that educational status is in no way related to opting for the low-cost technology. And there is no general trend to accept natural substances for flooring and other finishing work of houses. Most of the funding agencies are generous and do not consider the actual repayment capacity of the beneficiaries.
The craze and competition among people have led them to imitate others and spend all their earnings for construction of houses.
For his study, Mr. Rajeevan selected three categories of people based on their monthly income – low-income group (below Rs.5,000), middle-income group (below Rs.10,000) and high-income group (above Rs 10,000).
His secondary data collection was from sources such as State and regional offices of Nirmithi Kendra, Costford, Sanker’s Habitat, Hudco and the Centre for Development Studies.
The objective of his research was to identify the various technologies that are prominently practised in low-cost construction of houses, ascertain the extent of cost effectiveness achieved after adopting different steps of technology, evaluate the extent of benefit to beneficiaries, verify the mode of construction of houses and various loan schemes and finding out remedial measures to curtail the expenditure of house constructions.
Mr. Rajeevan, who is a postgraduate in law, also runs the Vadakara-based Kerala Eminent Mission Education Research and Technology. One of his suggestions is maintaining the harmony between theory and practice in the construction of houses.
During the course of his study he has attempted to find solutions to problems such as adopting expensive methods, which people cannot afford, frequent changes taking place in form, style and fashion of houses and using locally available materials.
Nodal agency
Making the Nirmithi Kendra the nodal agency of all construction activities of the Government, establishing Panchayat Nirmithi Kendra throughout the State to oversee construction activities, spreading the know-how of low-cost technology, constructing houses in sync with natural habitat, increasing taxes for luxury houses and encouraging non Government organisations in the field of housing and introducing low cost housing technology in the curriculum of schools and colleges are his other suggestions.
Mr. Rajeevan feels that low cost construction of houses in the State is a relevant subject and that his research would benefit different sections of the people in the future. The subject has links to our day-to-day life.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Property Plus
Coimbatore
