To:
Tejendra Khanna
Hon'ble Lt. Governor of Delhi
Raj Niwas, Civil lines, Delhi 110006
Copy to:
Ms. Sheila Dikshit
Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi
Delhi Secretariat, I P Estate, Delhi 110002
Dear Sir,
I am an architect, urban designer and planner from Delhi. I represent a group of enthusiastic architects and planners who have worked in India, US, China, Russia, Middle East and other countries for over 10 years and are now deeply interested in "making a difference" in our own country. I currently work with a global firm (Arup) which specializes in Urban Planning projects that integrate efficient land use, infrastructure efficiency, economics, micro-climate, sociology, ecology, hydrology and energy efficiency into design, besides other contextual issues.
http://www.pnyv.org/index.php?id=34&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=277&tx_ttnews[backPid]=8&cHash=c0c03521e4
QUESTIONS:
- How can we make Delhi BRT an exemplary transit system for India?
- How can we reap the maximum financial and social benefits from the Delhi Metro?
- How can we "turn-around" Delhi from being the "Crime capital" of India?
- How can we "root out" smog, pollution, traffic and road rage from the streets of Delhi?
- How can we save people from continuing to be killed on Delhi streets by blue-line/ DTC buses?
ANSWERS:
- Through technically sound, GIS-based - LANDUSE planning and integration with all of Delhi's public transit and infrastructure systems put together.
- Utlize the private investments flowing into Metro Station areas - for public and social good - through smart policies.
- Restructure Delhi's Public Realm and the DDA+NCR Master plan - to convert Delhi from an "Automobile City" to a world class "Transit City".
- The Streets of Delhi are currently designed for the 20% car-users! They need to be redesigned for people, for pedestrians and bikers... The Zoning Code of Delhi must be changed immediately, to prevent further damage.
- The clear interrelation between good urban design in solving issues like crime, traffic, pollution and social apathy - must be recognized - both by the public, and by the leaders.... and therefore - implemented.
Delhi is trying to solve its challenges at a micro level, in a piecemeal way - WITHOUT a holistic Vision and macro level Methodology and Framework for growth & planning of the city. Just levying higher taxes on big cars and "saying" that the city wants to encourage use of public transport is not going to help.
PROPOSAL:
A Paradigm shift is URGENTLY needed in Delhi to move from an "Auto-oriented" City to a "Transit Oriented Sustainable City". In this regard, I wish to help.
Note: Sustainability = Design integrating NaturalResource efficiencies; Environmental sensitivity, Economic viability and Social Amenities and Inclusion.
The proposed paradigm shift would include the following 5-Tier Approach:
Step 1: Develop a 20-Year Transit Oriented Regional Growth Vision for NCR
- Urban development types based on Integrated Public Transit Network
- Outline where infrastructure and development investments should be prioritized.
- Set framework for NCT and Zonal plans.
Step 2: Redevelop Delhi Development Masterplan (NCT) taking full Advantage of Delhi’s Integrated Public Transit Corridors:
- Refine Integrated Public Transport Plan prepared by DIMMTS; Categorize “Rapid” Transit; Transit and Feeder transit; Rectify BRT issues.
- Design High-density Mixed Use places near transit – STOP allocating single use Landuse colors to the Masterplan.
- Design “Places” of various density mixes - NOT single use land use districts; Change morphology from large car-oriented districts to circular transit-oriented nodes. (Use GIS for this)
- Integrate Energy, Water and Waste Efficiency Strategies at the city level.
- Cost benefits of TOD-Planning demonstrated through a Case Study (personal project)
Step 3: Develop a Station Area Planning Strategy with a Matrix of TOD Typologies - to capture full value of transit investments for economic, environmental & social benefit, while being sensitive to local contexts.
- Define TOD Typologies base don local area studies – to define role and needs of each TOD (Station Area) – and accordingly what uses/functions & densities should be planned for each.
- Create “Specific Plans” for each Station Area – outlining proportions of commercial, civic, housing and open spaces and also incorporating “below poverty line” populations within walking distance of transit.
- Define required street network and urban design guidelines for each TOD typology.
- Define design guidelines and “cheap + quick” construction strategies to rehabilitate and upgrade existing slum dwellings into respectable and integrated social communities.
- Integrate Energy, Water and Waste Efficiency Strategies at the station area community level.
Note: Station areas are not just for malls, but to create community and civic destinations for the city.
Step 4: Develop a Form Based Development Code for buildings, public spaces, and streets – which provides Control of Public Realm, but allows flexibility of landuses.
- Change three critical zoning laws:
o Remove setbacks and boundary walls to enhance safety and provide “eyes on the street”
o Regulate maximum allowable block widths – no block should be longer than 120 M without a public pedestrian+bike cut-through. This would make walking easier and faster than car-driving.
o Design a palette of Street Sections to incorporate multi-modal and pedestrian-rights - integration in the public right of way. This would ensure pedestrian safety.
- Street Sections should include well-designed pedestrian and bike facilities and Natural Storm water management facilities (like swales, etc.)
- Regulate building envelopes and proportions, not land uses.
Step 5: Develop an Implementation Strategy Plan (document) and a Regulatory Body:
- Form a TOD-Strategic Body (“Livable Delhi”) that has representatives from all public bodies: infrastructure, transportation, landuse and financial bodies into one monitoring body. (Similar to UTTIPEC)
- Devise a Strategic Plan to help jointly monitor projects, prioritize public funds, speed up approval processes, outline “value capture” mechanisms for funding TODs and provide an updating framework through feedback loops.
- Select “Test sites” for pilot projects and implement all the above ideas.
I have prepared a graphic PowerPoint where the Design and Execution Ideas for all the above strategies are explained. Also included are data and statistics from research work, as well as Modeling results for executed projects – which quantify comparative savings made on infrastructure costs, time-costs and land-development costs – made through transit oriented development (vs. auto oriented development). A summary checklist will summarize issues to be addressed immediately for:
- Short term Target: Commonwealth Games 2010, timeframe = 1 year:
- Long term Target: 5 years.
______________________________
I would like to share this with you in person if you can spare half an hour one day. My goal is to work with the City of Delhi to help achieve all its above goals, bringing back in all my technical expertise and international experience gained in the last 10 years.
I hope you will give me a chance to help transform my home city.
Thanks and best regards,
Romi Roy
architect . urban planner
http://www.linkedin.com/in/
"..be the change u wish to see in the world" – Gandhi
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