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(ARCHIVE) Vol. XX No. 3, may 16-31, 2010
Our Readers Write

Is this the way to turn round T’Nagar?

There is an urban hellhole called T’Nagar in the metropolis that is Chennai. An initiative has recently been kickstarted to convert this most congested and chaotic part of the city as a ‘commercial paradise’. Madras Musings (April 16th) described the recent ‘consultation’ on this subject and expressed apprehensions about keeping away Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) from the initiative.

In fact, the ‘Consultation Workshop’ on April 6th was titled ‘Urban Redevelopment Project for T’Nagar’ for which invitations to a select few were served barely 24 hours before the event by Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure and Financial Services Ltd. (TNUIFSL)! The invitation led you to believe that the prime thrust of the proposal to be presented by the Consultants – M/s. Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj and Townland Consultants Private Limited, Hong Kong – was to be “Segregation of formal and informal activities to be achieved through a plan and associated area-specific development controls, including facade control and urban design principles”. There were some other pious objectives also stated.

Segregation of formal and informal activities runs counter to the core philosophy of Chennai Master Plan-2008 and the Revised Chennai Development Plan-2009, prepared and submitted at the request of Chennai Corporation. Both documents advocate seamless blending of the two activities in order to achieve equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Segregation would tear them apart and result in removing informal settlements and activities from T’Nagar and dumping them in some marsh or god-forsaken place as has been the recent practice. This can trigger a social crisis.

The ‘Consultation’ had about 50-60 participants, excluding the organisers. There were a couple of representatives of hawkers’ associations and a few from residents’ associations. A collection of individuals – professionals and academics, urban planners, architects, engineers, and others – was also present. The consultation was not advertised for benefit of the public, though it was supposed to be an ‘open house’ event. Obviously it was a rush affair with a pre-set agenda.

The meeting was opened by a panel comprising Mayor Subramaniam, Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, and M.B. Nirmal of Exnora, who all acclaimed the project without clearly outlining what it was all about. There was no trace of CMDA anywhere. On enquiry, a TNUIFSL official said, “We had sent invitations to them. But it is very unfortunate that no representative from CMDA turned up.” There was a general feeling among the organisers that there was no need to involve CMDA in this ‘Redevelopment project’ since CMDA has delegated the authority and implementation function to the Chennai Corporation which in turn has handed this task over to TNUIFSL, a grant-cum-debt intermediary of the State Government. All of which raise several questions.

Be that as it may, the vision statement laid down at the Workshop was “to develop T’Nagar as a sustainable world-class shopping destination which will function harmoniously with the residential, cultural and environmental characteristics of the neighbourhood.” Accordingly, most of the redevelopment thrust was on supporting the commercial centre of T’Nagar, including Panagal Park, Pondy Bazaar, Ranganathan Street, etc., with malls atop flyovers, elevated areas, demarcated pedestrian walkways and traffic-calm localities. There was NO talk of the residential aspects, not to mention slums and low-income housing. 

A few interventionists representing civil society raised a number of issues that included the mandate for the consultation, role of CMDA, “segregation of formal and informal activities”, focus on “facade”, and the lack of inclusiveness. Excessive focus on commercial aspects in the vision statement was also objected to. Participants also observed that the consultation group was pretty inexperienced and had not done its homework. It had basically downloaded a slew of pictures of European cities and showed them as its plans for arcades and plazas and pedestrian precincts along with some simulations of possible new traffic arrangements, with no consideration of population, densities, street-width and other ground realities of T’Nagar!

Consultants stated that though their plans would be socially inclusive, they would emphasise separate spaces for the informal sector. There also appeared to be moves to promote the Manhattan model of very high FSI (12+) development, which seem to have captured the imagination of some bright, young officials! This will take care of the huge violations committed by almost all commercial buildings in T’Nagar. This is also an extension of the ‘global city’ dream that envisages miles and miles of fancy flyovers and underpasses, high-speed, multi-storied and elevated corridors, Metro Rail, international airports, sprawling malls and Special Economic Zones, glass edifices as workplaces, and skyscrapers and gated communities for residences. T’Nagar ‘Aerial City’ is part of this mega dream. In such a scheme of things, the poor, low income and the working class have no place and will have to be ‘segregated’ and shipped out!

No wonder, the CMDA has to be kept at arm’s length because, both institutionally and policy-wise, there is no scope for such mindless and unsustainable urbanisation. But ostracising CMDA is legally untenable, given the stringent provisions in the Tamil Nadu Town & Country Planning Act regarding Master Plans, Detailed Development Plans, and Development Control Regulations. Though the local government body can initiate a sub-area plan, it has to be facilitated and finally approved by the CMDA.

Even if the CMDA is willing to bend in the ongoing plans for T’Nagar, it cannot ignore the order of the Madras High Court dated 23-8-06 in the ‘Regularisation matter’ and the mandate given to the Monitoring Committee constituted as a consequence. This is what Para 32 (xii) of the High Court order says, inter alia:

“… The Monitoring Committee shall also be consulted for changes in the Master Plan and Development Control Rules, which affect construction activity in the city.”

In a low/middle income metropolis like Chennai, ‘urbanism’ should drive ‘re-development’ and not neo-liberal global fantasies. Urbanism in T’Nagar would mean that builders, users and residents co-design, co-build, co-govern and combine their activities to support ways of production and living that develop their shared advantage. This is what needs to be planned and not an artificial and alien ‘aerial city’!

Besides, in a metropolis where regulatory and governance institutions are very weak, damaging whatever is there would be a great disservice to sustainable urbanisation.

M.G. Devasahayam

How about beach-front?

It is heartening to note that the Government of Tamil Nadu has recognised the need for and the importance of maintaining heritage buildings. The CMDA, we are told, will
be charged with the responsibility of maintaining heritage buildings like Bharat Insurance building on Anna Salai.

By the same token, the Government should ensure the preservation and enhancement of the beautiful beaches of Chennai, stretching along the east coast. In fact, the beaches are among the best in the world and the longest too. They are synonymous with Chennai that was Madras, adding to the charm of the metro. Indeed, they provide breathing space and a place for entertainment to Chennaiites.

Government has proposed to build a 2-level elevated highway from the lighthouse to Kottivakkam along the beach-front. Various residents’ associations and the residents of numerous kuppam-s along the stretch have voiced their concern and passed resolutions, besides sending petitions to the Government, against the proposal. Such a project will not only mar the beauty of the beach but also affect the livelihood of hundreds of fisherfolk, besides encroaching upon the natural habitat of flora and fauna. It was hoped that the authorities concerned would heed the public opinion and drop the project. But, surprisingly, it appears that the Corporation of Chennai is going ahead with the proposal and is preparing feasibility studies and other initial work.

We appeal to Chennaiites and others, who are keen to “save the beaches” of Chennai, to take appropriate action in this matter, which is vital to preserve the beauty and natural environs of the city.

Srinivasan Pattoo
Founder-President
WeCare Foundation
Bayview, 19, New Beach Road
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041

Pictures wanted

Could any reader please sup-ply Madras Musings with a simple drawing of the flowers and leaves of the trees Nauciea and Garcinia which Chennaiites may, alas, lose forever from the erstwhile Drive-in woodlands’ park (MM, April 16th)?

It is fondly hoped that they would open the eyes of the creators of the new Botanical Gardens, who seem to be enamoured with exotics and not the coromandel natives.

I have noticed a number of small trees giving beautiful and even orchid-like pink flowers in the city even without anyone giving them a second thought.

D. Francis Theodore
5/2, 7th Cross Street
Kumaran Nagar, Periyar Nagar
Chennai 600 082

 

In this issue

Preventing demolition is not enough
Does ‘T’Nagarisation’ of Mylapore lie ahead?
A user’s view of Connemara Library
Museum, Library and Theatre
Historic Residences of Chennai - 42
Other stories

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