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(courtesy: COSTFORD)

New look: The layout and structure of buildings proposed at Karimadom colony.

Thanks to the work of social activists and political leaders, the colony witnessed the beginnings of a social change in the recent past. But the environment remained what it was, dirty and forbidding. The sight of dingy shacks clustered among stinking drains and overflowing was enough to put off most city dwellers from venturing in.

Most of the houses are dilapidated and barely inhabitable. Basic services are limited and the threat of epidemics looms large, especially during the rainy season when the entire area remains waterlogged for days.

But all that is set to change. The City Corporation is preparing to take up an integrated development project for the colony, including improvement of basic amenities, sanitation facilities and community services. Designed by the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD), it seeks to ensure the livelihood security of the residents through a participatory approach.

The Rs.14-crore project will be funded by the Central government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Spread over an area of 9.73 acres, the Karimadom colony is situated in a low-level area, making it flood-prone. There are 632 families, out of which 72 were provided with habitable houses 10 years ago. The remaining 560 families live in shacks and dilapidated houses. Most of the families depend on public taps for water. The majority of houses does not have adequate sanitary facilities. Toilet waste is diverted to the open sewage collection pond, resulting in unhygienic conditions.

A survey conducted by COSTFORD revealed that 89 per cent of the population do not have a permanent source of income. The student community lacked facilities for academic excellence.

The renewal project seeks to redevelop the entire colony by providing housing for 560 families and creating liveable spaces and a peaceful environment where people can reside with a sense of security. “It promises to be a model in urban renewal,” says Thiruvananthapuram East MLA V. Sivankutty. “It took some effort to convince the slum dwellers of the need for the project but the effort was worth it. The in-built community development schemes helped us win their approval.”

The redevelopment project was conceived by COSTFORD founder and the pioneer of low-cost housing technology, the late Laurie Baker. A team of architects at COSTFORD helped to fine-tune the design.

The layout focusses on a large central open space with several interactive community spaces. The 560 houses will be built in 28 blocks, with roads linking the blocks. The large open space at the centre of the colony will act as a landmark, providing a collective identity for the community.

Each of the 28 blocks features a ground-plus-three-floor design to accommodate 20 dwelling units, eight on the ground floor, six on the first floor, four on the second and two on the third.

As many as 18 blocks overlook the central open space, contributing to a feeling of openness. Each single-bedroom house measures 31 sq.m in area. The design provides each house with either ground or terrace area for extended activities and future expansion.

“The infrastructural facilities and services in this type of design are more economical than providing for individual units. The parks and open spaces facilitate better social interaction,” explains P.B. Sajan, executive director, COSTFORD.

The renovation of the sewage collection pond is a major component of the project. The pond will be cleaned, de-silted and provided with sidewalls and a drain to divert the overflow to the Thekkanmkara canal.

Two biogas plants equipped with power generators have been proposed to utilise the organic waste generated in the colony. The electricity generated by the plants will be used to power the streetlights in the open area.

The houses will be equipped with environment-friendly, smokeless chullas.

To solve the problem of water-logging during rain, it is proposed to raise the ground level by four feet.

All the houses are to be provided with connection to the sewerage network. Each house will be equipped with rainwater harvesting tanks made of ferro-cement.

The tanks will be provided on the ground for the bottom level of houses and the terrace for houses on the upper floors.

The open spaces will be landscaped and planted with trees to encourage outdoor activities. The project also envisages bio-fencing around the pond and along the periphery of the colony. Bougaenvilla creepers and vetiver will be spread out on barbed wires to add visual appeal.

“For the overall development of the colony, we have tried to address three main issues, namely empowerment of women, community development and livelihood security,” Mr. Sajan says.

The project includes the construction of four work centres for Kudumbasree units employing women in the manufacture of banana chips and bakery items. The design also provides for the construction of a market with kiosks for women vendors. Each kiosk will be in the form of a raised platform with storage space beneath.

One of the major community facilities is a study centre-cum- library where children can study at night. “In the initial phase, Costford will make arrangements to provide coaching for students up to the entrance examination for professional courses. In due course, it is expected to become a self-sustaining system,” Mr. Sajan says.

The project also includes four anganwadis for the social development of children.

“By the time the project is completed, we expect Karimadom to go up on the social ladder to the status of a middle income housing colony,” he says.

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