Make parks, gardens, get extra FSI….Rinkita Gurav
Says BMC to developers, who will ensure that plots reserved for public recreation are up and running
Says BMC to developers, who will ensure that plots reserved for public recreation are up and running
With a landmark decision, the city may well be on its way to getting its public recreation spaces and gardens back in lush green shape. And the BMC can now heave a sigh of relief, as this Herculean task will be taken care of by builders and developers in the city. The plots of land reserved as recreational grounds (RG) or playgrounds (PG), which are usually handed over by developers to the BMC, will now have to be developed before being handed over.
This decision was taken after the BMC’s Standing Committee Chairperson Rahul Shewale proposed to the municipal commissioner that all the reserved plots, which were to be handed over to the corporation, would now have to be developed before being handed over the civic body. In turn, the developer would be rewarded the transfer of development rights (TDR) for the plot, in the form of extra Floor Space Index (FSI).
One of the BMC officials from the Development Plan department said, “Most of these plots are not developed when they are handed to us. This must be done. The problem is not only with these reserved plots, but also in many industrial areas, wherein developers do not carry out the necessary development work. The proposal was sent in order to ensure that the grounds are developed when they are handed over to us, so that the BMC can use them directly as public amenities.”
According to Shewale, the list of tasks that will now have to be undertaken by the developers include proper levelling of the ground with soil, construction of a garden wall along the periphery, as well as a security cabin.
He said, “It can be profitable for the developers, as the salability of their land will be enhanced by the presence of open spaces in the vicinity. The additional FSI that will be awarded to them will also be financially beneficial for them.”
He said, “It can be profitable for the developers, as the salability of their land will be enhanced by the presence of open spaces in the vicinity. The additional FSI that will be awarded to them will also be financially beneficial for them.”
Shewale further added that this move was fuelled by the need to increase the availability of open spaces in the city. Mumbai only has .03 acres of open space for every 1,000 residents. This means that each resident of the city has only 1.95 square metres of open space, which is miniscule in comparison with the international standard of at least 11 square metres.
What is TDR?
The owner of a plot of land, part of which is used for a public purpose, will be eligible for the award of Transferable Development Rights (TDRs), in the form of FSI. Such an award will entitle the owner of the land to FSI in the form of a Development Right Certificate (DRC). TDR is the thus the floating Floor Space Index, given in return for the surrender of land, for development of public amenities like roads, drains, schools, playgrounds and dispensaries.
The owner of a plot of land, part of which is used for a public purpose, will be eligible for the award of Transferable Development Rights (TDRs), in the form of FSI. Such an award will entitle the owner of the land to FSI in the form of a Development Right Certificate (DRC). TDR is the thus the floating Floor Space Index, given in return for the surrender of land, for development of public amenities like roads, drains, schools, playgrounds and dispensaries.
Shocking
Mumbaikars have only 1.9 square metres of open space per head as against the international standard of at least 11 square metres
Mumbaikars have only 1.9 square metres of open space per head as against the international standard of at least 11 square metres
* Walk the talk: Developers will have to undertake the task of levelling
of the open grounds with soil, as well as constructing garden walls and
security cabins within the premises. Representation Pic
of the open grounds with soil, as well as constructing garden walls and
security cabins within the premises. Representation Pic