Monthly Archives: February 2013

Broadway Urban Renewal, Ernakulam Market Urban Renewal and Renewal of Pond and Waterways to the Pond

One of the most important projects carried out by the c-hed is the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the above mentioned Broadway and Ernakulam Market Heritage Urban Renewal Project. The c-hed had been entrusted with the task of preparing the DPR of the aboveimage014 project by the Kochi Municipal Corporation. With the support of a dedicated team of Technical and Management experts the c-hed could complete this major work in a short span of one year.

The project area comprises of separate character zones namely; the Broadway, the Ernakulam Market, and a few indistinct smaller urban fabric patches that fail to qualify the entire zone into a consistent urban character district. The urban design agenda for the area is to integrate these sub-districts into a cohesive whole. This is being done by letting the people who use these spaces to come together in a new and contiguous spatial network. This new network is established by redesigning the two basic character districts within the zone (1) by creating a new urban place which is at the confluence of various streams of pedestrian flows, by reinforcing existing underutilized vehicular connections (2) by creating new pedestrian linkages to the core from surrounding areas of high pedestrian traffic.image015

These form the sub-projects or modules of the overall design intervention.  Along-with these physical design interventions, a management/policy based intervention strategy is also being put in place under the following head;

  • Heritage Conservation strategy
  • Waste Management strategy
  • Traffic and Circulation Management strategy
  • Vendor and Street hawkers management Strategy (based on National Policy on Urban Street Vendors)

Master Plan preparation of Cochin City

Under the c-hed’s initiative a national workshop on formulation of vision document and strategic plan for Cochin City with a vision period of 20 years was organized in the year 2003. The  recommendations of this seminar were the basis of the Vision Document prepared for Cochin City. image017On the basis of this vision document the Government of Kerala gave administrative sanction for the Kochi Municipal Corporation to prepare a master plan for the city on its own.

The Kochi Municipal Corporation entrusted c-hed to co-ordinate and facilitate the entire process of Preparation of the Master Plan for Cochin City.  The Master Plan for the city was prepared with a vision period of 20 years for the horizon year 2026.  The scope of the Master Plan was restricted to the Corporation limits, spanning an area of 94.88 sq. km.   The Master Plan was a multidimensional exercise and comprises studies on various aspects of the city viz. Regional Framework, Land Use Plan, Physical- Infrastructure, Population Projections & Occupational Pattern, Shelter, Industry, Environment, Built Heritage, Tourism, Urban Design, Transportation, Social Infrastructure and Resource Mobilization for implementation of the projects identified.

From the year 2005 January onwards up to December 2008 c-hed had been fully involved in the process of the preparation of the master plan. After completing a major portion of the work, the entire process and products were handed over to the Regional Town Planning Department for further work.

Heritage Study for the Master Plan

The c-hed had carried out a comprehensive Heritage study to be included as a chapter in the master plan.

 

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

image031This 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.image030

The salient features of this venture are as follows:

      1. Preservation of the de-limitated territory of the heritage zone and its sustainable management.
      2. Assessment and sharing of qualities and values of the heritage area.
      3. Conservation of the historic fabric of the old town whilst improving and promoting the site as a bustling living and working city.
      4. Ensuring development is achieved in a manner which enhances the overall value of the environment.
      5. Improving the urban environment-streets and public space – the economy and housing. Pursuing the creative and compatible mix of functions.
      6. 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.

Broadway Urban Renewal, Ernakulam Market Urban Renewal and Renewal of Pond and Waterways to the Pond

One of the most important projects carried out by the c-hed is the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the above mentioned Broadway and Ernakulam Market Heritage Urban Renewal Project. The c-hed had been entrusted with the task of preparing the DPR of the aboveimage014 project by the Kochi Municipal Corporation. With the support of a dedicated team of Technical and Management experts the c-hed could complete this major work in a short span of one year.

The project area comprises of separate character zones namely; the Broadway, the Ernakulam Market, and a few indistinct smaller urban fabric patches that fail to qualify the entire zone into a consistent urban character district. The urban design agenda for the area is to integrate these sub-districts into a cohesive whole. This is being done by letting the people who use these spaces to come together in a new and contiguous spatial network. This new network is established by redesigning the two basic character districts within the zone (1) by creating a new urban place which is at the confluence of various streams of pedestrian flows, by reinforcing existing underutilized vehicular connections (2) by creating new pedestrian linkages to the core from surrounding areas of high pedestrian traffic.image015

These form the sub-projects or modules of the overall design intervention.  Along-with these physical design interventions, a management/policy based intervention strategy is also being put in place under the following head;

  • Heritage Conservation strategy
  • Waste Management strategy
  • Traffic and Circulation Management strategy
  • Vendor and Street hawkers management Strategy (based on National Policy on Urban Street Vendors)

Modern City of Cochin

Cochin is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country’. Rightly called as The Queen of the Arabian Sea, it is the biggest  city in Kerala by volume of trade. It revels in being a choice destination for a wide range of industries from Tourism, Shipping and Information Technology to International trade and Bio-technology.This metropolitan in the recent years has been witnessing heavy investments, making it one of the fastest growing second-tier metro cities in India.

A combination of various factors works to the advantage of the city. The strategic location of the city with a long coastline, backwaters, presence of a major port, container trans-shipment terminal, harbor terminal, an international air terminal and special rules for facilitating foreign investments, has accelerated the industrial growth in the city.

Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India. The city has many developments in her lap.

  • Vallarpadam Terminal : India’s first International Container Transshipment terminal (ICTT) in the Special Economic Zone at nearby Vallarpadam Island, Cochin designed to handle the largest container ships. Vallarpadam ICTT- Photo 1The country’s first global hub terminal, the ICTT is in strategic proximity to international sea routes. Vallarpadam Terminal is the largest single operator container terminal in India and the first in the country to operate in a special economic zone.The terminal makes Cochin a key center in the shipping world reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports to handle transshipment.

  • Cruise Terminal : Now Cochin has another feather on her cap — a cruise-passenger facilitation centre. While the marina hosts yachts, the cruise facilitation centre will help tourists who travel across the oceans in cruise ships. The cruise-passenger facilitation centre covers an area of 1,500 sq m and has dedicated Customs and Immigration counters.CRUISE_THDVR_1238115g It has x-ray scanning machines for baggage, metal detectors, rest rooms, prayer room, and feeding room. The disabled-friendly terminal also has an acre of parking space for luxury coaches, tourist taxis and auto rickshaws. Cochin is the most-preferred cruise destination in India because of her proximity to the international shipping route.

 

  • Metro Rail : The Kochi Metro Rail Project is the long cherished dream of citizens of Cochin city. The project is envisaged to increase citizens’ mobility that will in turn boost the economic growth as well as increase quality of life for thekochi metro2 citizens by providing them an alternate mode of public transport to access jobs, business, education, livelihood, entertainment and other social activities. The project is planned keeping in view the cultural heritage and commercial significance of the city. The Metro Rail is safe, eco-friendly, and economical. Apart from providing connectivity, the project will bring about a more equitable allocation of road space by encouraging greater use of public transport.
  •  Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory : Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi is one of the major Research & Development laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It was setup in 1952 as an in-house laboratory of the Indian Navy, then called as Indian Naval Physical Laboratory (INPL), for providing scientific support to the armed services. npol_mainLater it got re-christened as NPOL after the formation of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) under Ministry of Defence in 1958. Today NPOL stands out with great pride for its outstanding achievements and contributions in the areas of SONAR research and development for Navy.

  • Vytilla Mobility Hub : Vyttila Mobility Hub is a state of the art transportation system planned to decongest Cochin, the fast growing commercial capital of Kerala. The primary aim is to set up a state-of-the-art mobility hub at Vytilla so as to avoid the entry of long distance buses to Cochin city, the commercial and trade hub, the roads of which are even otherwise teeming with vehicles. Vytilla-Mobility-Hub-Kochi1Vyttila mobility hub project has evolved as a natural remedy and is envisioned as a long-term solution to Cochin’s transporting problems, by providing connectivity with the western and eastern parts of the city and also regional hubs. By basing operations in Vytilla bus terminal, the KSRTC and private buses would be able to save huge amounts on fuel, apart from the time saved in not entering the city.
  • Infopark – Smart Space in Cochin : Infopark located at Cochin, is the new IT Park being developed by the Government of Kerala. It is a home for many IT/ITES companies and all the majors in the industry like Wipro, TCS etc have set up their own campus here. kochi1_imageInfopark has ambitious plans to become one of the major IT Parks in the country. With this vision, it has been growing fast ever since its inception in 2004, and within a short period of time, has attracted investments from IT majors like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Affiliated Computer Services, OPI Global, IBS Software Services and US Technology.
  • Cochin Port : Cochin Port is a major port on the Arabian Sea – Indian Ocean sea-route and is one of the largest ports in India. VBK-KOCHI_108588fThe port lies on two islands in the Lake of Cochin –  Willingdon  Island and Vallarpadam, towards the Fort Cochin river mouth opening onto the Arabian Sea. The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), part of the Cochin Port, is the largest container transshipment facility in India. The Cochin Port is one of a line of maritime-related facilities based in the port-city of Cochin.
  • Cochin as IT Hub : Cochin enjoys a special place in the global IT map for being the landing point of two submarine telecom cables that forms the gatewaytuncha2 to international connectivity. Now Kakkanad has become the million dollar answer to the IT aspirations of countless professionals who bask under the glory of the most prestigious addresses in the city of Cochin. Easy accessibility of national highways, international airport and seaport has made this erstwhile tranquil locale into a hot seat of activities.
  • LNG Terminal : Construction of LNG Receiving, Storage and Regasification Terminal at Cochin is in full swing.  lngThe terminal at Cochin will help in meeting enormous demand of natural gas for Power, Fertilizers, Petrochemicals and various other industries in the Southern States. The Company will also supply LNG through road tankers to consumers.

 

 

  • International Bunkering Terminal : An international bunkering terminal to supply fuel for vessels is planned by Cochin Port Trust. Bunkering industry point out that major transshipment trade is going to shift to Cochin from Colombo. bunkering-terminal2This will in turn attract a higher volume of vessel traffic including a greater number of coastal feeder vessels. Besides, the port’s strategic location given its close proximity to international sea route will attract mother vessels to Cochin.

 

  • Shopping Malls : Cochin has opened her doors to the Mall concept. The Mall brings to the city of Cochin, leading national and The Deira City Center mall is one of Dubai's oldest, but still one of the largest.international brands in retail, food and entertainment, all under one roof with ample car and two wheeler parking. Cochin city now have many Malls in her lap such as : Oberon Mall, Gold Souk, Lulu Mall, Abad Nucleus Mall, Bay Pride Mall etc.

 

  • Cochin International Airport : Cochin International Airport is one of the country’s youngest Airports with modern facilities and conveniences. Cochin_International_AirportLocated at Nedumbassery, which is about 30 kms off Cochin city. It is the busiest and largest airport in the state of Kerala. Cochin International Airport is the first airport in India developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

 

  • Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium : With a capacity to hold 75,000 spectators, the stadium was built in 1996. The stadium in Cochin is considered to be the fifth largest in India and the third largest cricket stadium in India. 235966-jawaharlal-nehru-international-stadiumThe extensive grounds of the stadium serve as venue for important exhibitions, cinema events and political rallies in the city.The stadium is quipped with floodlights for night play.

 

  • Goshri Bridge : A system of bridges that link the mainland side of the city of Cochin to the islands lying to the north of the backwaters. It provides the vital road connectivity to the islands of Bolgatty and Vallarpadam and also links Goshree_bridge_kochithe western island of Vypin to the mainland. It also provides direct road connectivity to the city for the Vypin island and the suburbs to the northwest, which was relying upon ferry services earlier.

 

 

  • CSEZ : Cochin SEZ is a Special Economic Zone in Cochin, set up for export- oriented ventures.imagesCAJJYBSZThe Special Economic Zone is a foreign territory within India with special rules for facilitating foreign direct investment. Cochin SEZ is a multi-product Zone.

 

 

  • Cochin Refineries : Company which operates an oil refinery located at Cochin. Cochin Refinery is engaged in refining and marketing of petroleum products. It supplies specialty niche petroleum products to the global market. These products include any grade fuel oil (both 180 cst and 380 cst) and low aromatic Naphtha (High Paraffinic). TH24_KOCHI_REFINERY_872766fThe fuel oil has been widely accepted and bench-marked in the Singapore and Dubai Fuel Oil Markets. Cochin Refineries Limited (KRL) has earned an enviable reputation as a reliable player in the International petro trade by virtue of superior product quality and client service.

 

 

  • High Court of Kerala : The High Court of Kerala is the highest court in the Indian State of Kerala, headquartered at Cochin. Kerala-High-Court-2The High Court has the power to issue directions, orders and writs including the writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari for ensuring the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution to citizens or for other specified purposes.
  • Cochin Marina : The Kochi Marina is the only marina in India. The marina provides berthing facility for yachts and also offers services like fuel, water, Kochi marina (6)electricity and sewage pump-outs for boats. The marina is close to the international maritime route at the south west coast of the Indian Peninsula, with favorable conditions and minimum tidal variations throughout the year.

 

 

  • Cochin Stock Exchange : One of the premier Stock Exchanges in India, located in Cochin.The exchange had a humble beginning with just 5 companies listed in 1978 -79, and had only 14 members. IMG_2012Today the Exchange has more than 508 members and 240 listed companies. With the enforcement of efficient margin system and surveillance, CSE has successfully prevented defaults.

 

 

  • Vembanad Rail Bridge : Rail connecting Edapally and Vallarpadam in Cochin. It is the longest rail bridge in India. The line is dedicated only for goods traffic. 40761The link from Edapally to Vallarpadam start from Edapally running 3 km parallel to an existing track until it reaches Vaduthala. The rail line then passes through the Vembanad Bridge through 3 small islands, including the Idyakkara and Mulavukadu islands,Vembanad Lake to reach Vallarpadam. 80% of the bridge is constructed over water.

Cochin City Heritage Base Map

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.

image020                                                 image021

               Maps of Cochin in Portuguese Period & Dutch Period

image022                                               image023

                   British Period Plan for Willingdon Island

Master Plan preparation of Cochin City

Under the c-hed’s initiative a national workshop on formulation of vision document and strategic plan for Cochin City with a vision period of 20 years was organized in the year 2003. The  recommendations of this seminar were the basis of the Vision Document prepared for Cochin City. image017On the basis of this vision document the Government of Kerala gave administrative sanction for the Kochi Municipal Corporation to prepare a master plan for the city on its own.

The Kochi Municipal Corporation entrusted c-hed to co-ordinate and facilitate the entire process of Preparation of the Master Plan for Cochin City.  The Master Plan for the city was prepared with a vision period of 20 years for the horizon year 2026.  The scope of the Master Plan was restricted to the Corporation limits, spanning an area of 94.88 sq. km.   The Master Plan was a multidimensional exercise and comprises studies on various aspects of the city viz. Regional Framework, Land Use Plan, Physical- Infrastructure, Population Projections & Occupational Pattern, Shelter, Industry, Environment, Built Heritage, Tourism, Urban Design, Transportation, Social Infrastructure and Resource Mobilization for implementation of the projects identified.

From the year 2005 January onwards up to December 2008 c-hed had been fully involved in the process of the preparation of the master plan. After completing a major portion of the work, the entire process and products were handed over to the Regional Town Planning Department for further work.

Heritage Study for the Master Plan

The c-hed had carried out a comprehensive Heritage study to be included as a chapter in the master plan.

Management of Cultural Institutions

Cochin has a spectacular heritage of cultural expressions across many art forms and customs. The city has a secular, multicultural and diverse community. Amidst all major developments, the need for preserving, promoting and propagating the rich culture, tradition and heritage of the city is necessary. The role played by cultural institutions in this regard is worth mentionipallath-raman-cultural-centreng.

The c-hed has been given the mandate to manage various cultural institutions under the Kochi Municipal Corporation which includes the Pallath Raman Cultural centre, Veli, Fort Cochin, P.J Antony Memorial Centre, Pachalam, Vylopilly Samskarika Kendram, Kaloor etc. At Pallath Raman Cultural Centre, a performing arts centre called ‘Kalagramam’ is functioning well and a proposal for building a world class performance centre is being planned at Pachalam.

 

Preparation of City Development Plan for Cochin City

Cities are rightly called the economic generators of a country. For sustaining their growth the cities have to be efficient and competitive. In order to equip the cochin1city face the challenges of urbanization, proper and efficient system needs to be introduced.

Cochin, the commercial capital of the state of Kerala has been growing rapidly. It revels in being a choice destination for a wide range of industries from tourism, Shipping and Information Technology to International trade and Bio-technology.This metropolitan in the recent years has been witnessing major developments, making it one of the fastest growing second-tier metro cities in India.

The City Development Plan for Cochin, aims at improving urban governance and management, increasing investments to ensure employment potential and expand services including systematic and sustained urban poverty reduction.

The c-hed had played an important role in the preparation of the City Development Plan (CDP) for Cochin City as part of the JnNURM programme. Besides coordinating the entire process, the  c-hed had also provided academic support. Tourism and Heritage, the two major chapters in the CDP, were prepared exclusively by the c-hed.