Category Archives: Completed Projects

JnNURM Projects

Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission – JnNURM

A massive city-modernization scheme launched by the Govt. Of India under the Ministry of Urban development, JnNURM, aims to improve the quality of life and infrastructure in the cities. This mission hugely relates to the development of the cities, aiming at creating economically productive, efficient, equitable and responsive Cities’ by a strategy of upgrading the social and economic infrastructure in cities.

As per the JnNURM guidelines 63 cities were identified as million plus city for the implementation of the program, wherein Cochin was one among the metropolitans. The c-hed had played an important role in the preparation of DPR for many projects under the JnNURM program. Many projects have been envisaged under this mission for the city of Cochin and are as follows :

14 Heritage Projects and 39 Tourism Projects have been identified under the JnNURM program and c-hed has been entrusted with the preparation of DPR for the same.

Heritage Projects:

Heritage Management Plan for Heritage Precincts of Cochin
Heritage Base Map Preparation Program
Heritage Master Plan Preparation
Broadway Urban Renewal
Mattancherry Spice Museum
Ernakulam Broadway Urban Renewal and Renewal of Pond and Waterway to the Pond
City Museum
Heritage forums – integrating heritage education in all schools mediating the subject & its relevance to the next generation
Conservtion plan for heritage water edge of Mattancherry
An Effective Management Programme for Cultural Institutions
Conservation of Venduruthy bridge & Mattancherry bridge as heritage relics
Total Management Heritage Scheme to Sub-Zonal Area
Urban renewal scheme for fort Vypeen heritage zone
Conservation and Urban Renewal Schemes for Thripunithura Heritage Zone

Tourism Projects:

Developing and maintaining public spaces for Cochin urban region
Renovation of DH Ground
Construction of Tourism complex at Edappally
Renovation of Bastian Bungalow at Fort Cochin
Landscape of Palm Avenue project from Thevara Junction to BOT Bridge
Integrated tourism proposal and management programme for Fort Kochi and Mattanchery tourism zone
Kunnara Park Improvement
P.J.Antony Memorial Cultural Centre Improvement
Pallath Raman Cultural Centre improvement
Water edge Walkway from Thoppumpady to Kamalakkadavu
Kannakatt-Veliakulam Tourism Project at Palluruthy
Nehru Park
Mehboob Park
Mahakavi G Memorial
Beautification of M.G. Road from Mattancherry bridge to north over bridge
Padmasarovaram landscape project
Queen of Arabian Sea project
Subhash Park Improvement
Establishing Kerala Village – Thanthonnithuruthu
Strengthening the Grahsthali Programme
Natural History Museum
Martial Arts Centre
A Cochin brand film festival
Water Sports Centre at Chilavannur Lake
Poonthuruthy Island Development
I-MAX Theatre
Organizing Festivals and fairs including Boat Races
Development of Planetarium & Science City
Mulavukadu village tourism
Kumbalam Tourism Project
Developing Chellanam as a tourist center
Introducing various projects and programmes to strengthen the model village tourism project at Kumbalanghi
Valanthu kadu Keraleeya Gramam
Backwater walkway from Valanthukadu – Chambakkara canal
Kunnarapallimattam improvement
Murikkal-Pulikapuram Tourism Development Project at Kadamakkudy
Development of Thanneerchal at Thiruvankulam
Ring road around Eloor Panchayat along the water front
Thoombunkal Thodu Improvement

Conservation and Development Plan – for the Heritage Zone of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery

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This is one of the biggest heritage conservation projects conceived to protect the rich cultural and natural heritage of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery. The project was initiated by the c-hed and the UNESCO has given full support and assistance in the preparation of DPR for the above and the implementation of the same. The experts from UNESCO has already started working on the same and a pilot project in this regard is already prepared.

The salient features of this venture are as follows:

Preservation of the delimitated territory of the heritage zone and its sustainable management.
Assessment and sharing of qualities and values of the heritage area.
Conservation of the historic fabric of the old town whilst improving and promoting the site as a bustling living and working city.
Ensuring development is achieved in a manner which enhances the overall value of the environment.
Improving the urban environment-streets and public space – the economy and housing. Pursuing the creative and compatible mix of functions.
Maintain and enhance the composite cultural diversity and social coherence of the historic city.

The project is in its initial stages and the Government of Kerala has agreed to sanction Rs 50 crore for the implementation of this project.

Cochin City Heritage Base Map

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The city of Cochin, well known for its rich heritage and pluralistic culture, has been influenced by various cultures and nationalities, leaving their impressions in the fields of architecture, arts, crafts, cultural and heritage institutions.

Tracking and documenting of heritage footprints of a city is an important task. Documentation and listing done in this regard is of great significance as it is from this platform that the heritage conservation efforts are built up.

The c-hed has been into such a project which would form the base for various major heritage conservation projects.

This project, initiated by c-hed, has been going on for the last couple of years. The project includes the detailed survey and documentation of heritage of Cochin including natural features and resources, cultural, environment and built heritage, cultural traditions and institutions.

Maps of Cochin in Portuguese Period & Dutch Period

British Period Plan for Willingdon Island

Project for Evolving a System for Managing Plastic Waste in the City of Cochin

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The popularity of plastic bags has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of bags found dumped in open grounds or water bodies. Apart from dumping, another method of disposal of plastics currently in vogue in the city is burning in open heaps which releases harmful dioxins into the atmosphere. The Kochi Municipal Corporation has been promoting awareness programmes in this regard among all sections of the society through workshops, seminars and training programmes.

c-hed has initiated a project in association with Cochin University of Science And Technology and St.Teresa’s College Ernakulam, for evolving a system for managing plastic waste in the city.

The project aims at assessing the quantum and type of plastic wastes generated in Cochin city, identifying the main sources/points of generation of such waste such as households, packaging industry, hospitals, hospitality industry, furnishing industry etc, tracing the prevailing systems and channels for recycling/disposal of such wastes in the city and assess its effectiveness and identifying feasible solutions to address lacunae in prevailing systems.

The project is ongoing.

Management of Libraries under the Kochi Municipal Corporation

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The only true equalizers in the world are books; the only treasure-house open to all comers is a library; the only wealth which will not decay is knowledge; the only jewel which you carry beyond the grave is wisdom.

– J.A. Langford

Libraries are heaven for students, teachers and simply to all those who love reading books. The history of libraries dates back to as early as 2600 BC and has evolved as an inseparable part of all developing cities, spreading knowledge, inculcating reading habits and also providing an unrestricted access to information. Public libraries are an important national resource with a vital role to play in imparting knowledge for the development and growth of a nation. The Kochi Municipal Corporation is at present administering 6 libraries.

M.K Raghavan Memorial Library, Chullikkal
L.G Pai Memorial Library, Amaravathi
K.J Herschel Memorial Library, Fort Cochin
c-hed Library, Kacheripady
Corporation Library, Vytilla
Corporation Library, Palluruthy

As per the Annual budget of 2012-2013 of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, c-hed was assigned the management of all six libraries under the city administration.

In this regard, c-hed had prepared a project proposal for entrusting this institution with management of public libraries under the Kochi Municipal Corporation. The proposal also focuses on appointing librarians, updating periodicals, magazines, newspapers, rebinding torn books along with other functional requirements.

Library c-hed1

Climate Change

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The climate is changing and the earth is warming up. Significant and lasting statistical change in distribution of weather patterns have been noticed and these changes in large are found to originate from human activities. Climate change has been recognized as a major concern for countries throughout the world, for both industrialized and developing. climatechange1

c-hed has been associating with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in a major project for assessing the impacts of climate change on the city of Cochin. The assignment is ongoing.

Earlier in this regard, c-hed had coordinated and successfully completed a major project – “Possible Vulnerabilities of Cochin, India, to Climate Change Impacts and Response Strategies to Increase Resilience” with the support of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.

Integrated Conservation and Development of Ernakulam Heritage Zone – Central Area

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This is one of the principal projects that the c-hed had undertaken to conserve and develop the Ernakulam Heritage Zone which is the heart of today’s City of Cochin. Most work places such as administrative and institutional centre and market places are located here. It is the central spine, identified as an area of intense cultural expression forming the base for the initial studies, documentation, conservation and integration to present development trends of the city.

The City’s widely used parks and public open spaces are located defining the landward edge of this zone, which connects the city to its natural heritage of backwaters. Many cultural and religious institutions with some of the oldest temples, churches, mosques and synagogues also become part of this heritage zone. Heritage structures, which represent many cultural and ethnic groups who have come and settled here during its history, are spread all over.

City level institutions such as the Kochi Municipal Corporation, GIDA etc culminate at the northern part with the High Court complex of the state and Mangalavanam – an ecological patch of land. Most of all, the city’s breathing spaces such as the Subhash Park, The walkway at Marine Drive and the Durbar Hall Ground etc are situated here.

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Quality of Water and Ground Water Level

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With a rise in population the demand for water is ever increasing. The ground water resources play an important role in meeting the drinking water purpose of a large populace. But these resources needs to be managed judiciously in order to en groundwater2 sure adequate supplies of dependable quantity, quality of ground water.

Reduction in rainfall and climate change has been enhancing the pollution level in ground water. Many studies show that the ground water level of the city is depleting on a rapid pace. Contamination of various modes also leaves the quality of water in a bad state.

Hence it is ground water1 imperative to have a proper assessment, development and management of these replenishable sources of water. The c-hed has commissioned a study on this aspect.

Impact of Development on Backwaters

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The costs of Kerala is bordered by 29 – backwaters running parallel to the shoreline. The water quality of these backwaters is deteriorating due to population explosion, rapid urbanization, industrialization, silting and agricultural activities.

images The city of Cochin has a good network of inland waterway system consisting of backwaters, canals and chain of lagoons. National waterway No. 3 connecting Kollam and Kottappuram pass through the region.

The rapid urbanization and encroachment has threatened the very existence of this fragile ecosystem. Environmental problems such as pollution, land reclamation, agricultural and industrial developments seriously threaten the backwaters. Human interference have contributed much to the serious alterations in the Cochin backwater system. Recognizing the importance of the significant role played by backwaters, the need to protect it emerges.

In order to understand the issues pertaining to the backwaters, the c-hed has initiated a study to identify the concern. The project is ongoing.

Study on Soil Erosion and Deposition

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A leading seaport since the 14th century, Cochin is the coastal city of Kerala with multi-cultural population. Being a dynamic coastal region, city’s coastal area is prone to erosion and deposition coast3 at different locations.

Many studies indicate that a major stretch of Kerala’s coast line is eroding.

The coastal areas of this city are experiencing intense and sustained environment pressures from a range of driving forces which have been increasing in their intensity over the decades.

As a result, there is an unprecedented coastal erosion and deposition taking place from the coastal area of Cochin. coast2 The c-hed is working on a project to identify the reasons for these phenomena, to come up with remedial measures.