FE had this, by an iim prof who has FSI and density
logic mixed up, though he notes the difference, in
passing. (planners fret about density vis-a-vis
capacity; FSI for plots can be flexi within density
limits). prof laments low FSI to argue for TDR (with
which planners have no quarrel as long as density
everywhere stays under control). the planner-bashing
is uncalled for by the arguments (which I recall from
first semester planning at SPA). the piece has an eml
id crying for a write-back; if anyone with scholarly
label writes, please cc.
---
The cost of town planning in India
It must recognise the differences and use parameters
relevant to the country
SEBASTIAN MORRIS
To an Indian town planner, the purpose of his task is
to ensure low densities. ... Most town planners being
from an architecture background, are ill-equipped to
question the parameters, such as floor space area or
index (FSI), road to built-up space, and public to
commercial space ratios... do not even appreciate that
there is a problem of contextualisation? would not
even see the connection between the overall population
density and the density of cities. ...We have been
planning with FSIs as low as 1 and 2... The result is
cities that are very large in area, and poorly served
by infrastructure... Housing for all, but the rich,
becomes too expensive to afford ... The natural
distribution of economic activities in a city are
grossly violated in such low densities ... low
densities makes mass rapid systems, like metro rail,
underground rail etc., quite unviable. ... the
over-ambitiousness inherent in low densities and
higher road space ratios result in viability, only
with violations and that results in rents to the
executive of the day; so, city planning becomes a tool
of oppression and generation of rents. That may still
be better than adherence to the plan... To rework the
current sprawls to organised cities is a challenge
that is well beyond the town planner. But the gains
are stupendously large and parts of the same are
appropriable. That would require the intelligent use
of economics, especially locational concepts, through
instruments like transfer of development rights...
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=103768
__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
http://mail.yahoo.com
logic mixed up, though he notes the difference, in
passing. (planners fret about density vis-a-vis
capacity; FSI for plots can be flexi within density
limits). prof laments low FSI to argue for TDR (with
which planners have no quarrel as long as density
everywhere stays under control). the planner-bashing
is uncalled for by the arguments (which I recall from
first semester planning at SPA). the piece has an eml
id crying for a write-back; if anyone with scholarly
label writes, please cc.
---
The cost of town planning in India
It must recognise the differences and use parameters
relevant to the country
SEBASTIAN MORRIS
To an Indian town planner, the purpose of his task is
to ensure low densities. ... Most town planners being
from an architecture background, are ill-equipped to
question the parameters, such as floor space area or
index (FSI), road to built-up space, and public to
commercial space ratios... do not even appreciate that
there is a problem of contextualisation? would not
even see the connection between the overall population
density and the density of cities. ...We have been
planning with FSIs as low as 1 and 2... The result is
cities that are very large in area, and poorly served
by infrastructure... Housing for all, but the rich,
becomes too expensive to afford ... The natural
distribution of economic activities in a city are
grossly violated in such low densities ... low
densities makes mass rapid systems, like metro rail,
underground rail etc., quite unviable. ... the
over-ambitiousness inherent in low densities and
higher road space ratios result in viability, only
with violations and that results in rents to the
executive of the day; so, city planning becomes a tool
of oppression and generation of rents. That may still
be better than adherence to the plan... To rework the
current sprawls to organised cities is a challenge
that is well beyond the town planner. But the gains
are stupendously large and parts of the same are
appropriable. That would require the intelligent use
of economics, especially locational concepts, through
instruments like transfer of development rights...
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=103768
__________________________________
Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
http://mail.yahoo.com