Cluster developers may have to BUILD MINI-TOWNS

If BMC Has Its Way, Builders For Cluster Redevpt Projects Will Have To Build Schools, Roads, Recreation Centres, Etc

Wide roads, pavements, cycling tracks, open spaces the size of Oval maidan, schools with playgrounds, theatres, art galleries, public swimming pools: all this and more could a part of your neighbourhood. Cluster redevelopment through town planning schemes in the island city may make this dream a reality with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) keen on ensuring that the developer's role in such projects is not limited to only revamping buildings. 

    If the BMC has its way, redevelopment through the town planning scheme will be incorporated in the Development Plan so that it is mandatory for builders to also develop facilities, open spaces and recreation centres for residents. "The cluster redevelopment policy is aimed at urban renewal and not just the redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings. Urban renewal means upgrading existing infrastructure and adding new ones that are absent," said officials. This is possible in larger areas earmarked for a makeover. 
    Incidentally, the state government has given its approval for five cluster redevelopment projects, but as the scheme is still in the planning stage, it is not yet mandatory for builders to develop the cluster along these lines. 
    Municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar has set up a subcommittee to draw up guidelines on how to incorporate the town planning scheme into Development Plan. The subcommittee comprises the Mumbai Transformation Support Unit (MTSU), the housing secretary, the Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (MHADA), the civic chief engineer Development Plan, and architect and town planner P K Das. Groupe SCE—a Franco-Indian consortium that is preparing the city's Development Plan—is also part of the committee. 
    The subcommittee, which has already held two meetings to discuss the issue, plans to take up a cluster as a pilot project and recommend various public amenities that can be incorporated when the area goes in for redevelopment, said sources. 
    Cluster redevelopment can only happen in phases, but with guidelines in place, developers will be able to incorporate the amenities as demanded by the Development Plan. "We are not looking at those clusters that have been carved out by developers for which they have obtained permission. Our clusters could be spread over two to three such redevelopment projects. So for instance, if we plan a cycling track for a cluster, all the developers whose projects are part of the cluster will have to provide space in their projects to incorporate the track or provide more space for a school etc," said sources. 
    Das said the aim was to assess the benefits in terms of amenities such as open spaces, transportation, and other such facilities. In the past, town planning schemes have been successfully implemented in areas such as Matunga Hindu Colony, Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Vile Parle, Juhu and Goregaon (West). The neighbourhoods have good infrastructure like schools and hospitals, a network of roads to increase inter-connectivity and so on.