Planners body plea to create panel of eminent citizens to advise on sustainable development

Chennai:

Institute of Town Planners India, Tamil Nadu chapter has urged the state government to constitute a Technical Advisory Group of eminent citizens for Chennai Municipal Corporation and other corporation cities to advise on sustainable development.





ITPI secretary R Shivakumar told Express after the release of a newsletter ‘Planners’ that the recommendations were submitted to the government after a workshop was held to mark the golden jubilee of the institute.



In its recommendations, ITPI has urged that the state government should constitute professional Volunteer Technical Corps to assist in the orderly development of the corporation area. Interestingly, this comes in the wake of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission recommending the setting up of advisory groups for monitoring JNNURM funded projects.



“Considering that providing right and timely information in all crucial sectors to improve governance in Chennai, ITPI has also recommended that the city corporation in tandem with civil society organizations develop a comprehensive civic information system to promote equitable and inclusive development of the city,” he said.



The planners also have urged that detailed development plans including land use and infrastructure development be initiated jointly by CMDA and corporation in the 200 wards of Chennai Municipal corporation.



ITPI in its newsletter has also urged the need to formulate and implement regional plans for 10 secondary cities including smaller urban centres around them as the state is one of the fastest growing urbanized state.



ITPI has also urged the need for revamping affordable housing regulations which includes setting apart 10 per cent land for economic weaker sections, making the owner pay to affordable housing fund once the land is rezoned besides promoting economic weaker section housing on land owned or acquired by Tamil Nadu Housing Board.


ITPI has also urged the adoption of energy conservation building code be made mandatory in the design of new and large commercial buildings to optimize energy demand.