 on the process for the management of open spaces, various sanctions, parking space, water requirement, etc.
TOD in Delhi
The TOD policy proposed by Delhi Master Plan will mark a paradigm shift in the way neighbourhoods and cities, in general, are planned thus heralding a new way of linking urban systems with day to- day living such that people can spend more quality time socially and in pursuing recreational activities rather than getting stuck in traffic jams, a major concern on roads toady.
Taking the master plan directive forward, the TOD policy designates a maximum, up to 500 m-wide, belt (i.e., approximately 5-minute walking distance) on both sides of the centre line of the mass rapid transit system (MRTS) corridor as the ‘TOD Zone’, with the exception of areas falling under low-density residential areas (LDRA). TOD zone is a new land use category that allows flexibility in a mix of various possible uses, with the exception of polluting and potentially hazardous uses.
The goal of the TOD Zone is to promote low-carbon high-density sustainable development in the city. The policy has the following major aspects:
. Allow flexibility of uses within the overall ambit of the zonal development plan.
. Mixed use of provisions to reduce travel demand and reduce pressure on road-based travel.
. Optimum floor area ratio (FAR) and density norms to facilitate people to live, work, and seek entertainment within walking distance from stations. These will also seek to balance/ redistribute densities over the city along the MRTS corridors.
. Creation of finer road networks within neighbourhoods/ development areas for safer and easy movement of nonmotorized transport (NMT) and pedestrians. A mix in income arising due to greater community integration. The more people share public spaces, greens, recreational facilities, and amenities, the more the economy will improve.
. Increase in public safety, especially for women and children using public transportation or walking at night. These changes can be brought about by revising the key development code and including aspects, such as revised setback norms, dispensing with boundary walls, having built-to-edge buildings with active frontages which provide ‘eyes on the street’.
. Strict planning and regulation of on-street parking shall be undertaken to reduce use of private vehicles. . Approval of projects shall be given through a single-window software-based system to reduce processing time, thereby enabling a fast-paced (re) development to take place.
East-Delhi Hub: The Karkardooma Project
The Delhi Development Authority proposes to develop a green field TOD
project on 30 ha of land near Karkardooma area. Two major metro lines pass through the proposed site. It is strategically located near Anand Vihar ISBT and the railway station. The entire complex will act as an integrated passenger terminal for the entire East Delhi area and the NCR. The entire project is proposed to be developed on the TOD principle as stipulated in Chapter 12, ‘Transportation’, of the Delhi Master Plan. It is named as an
‘East Delhi hub’. It will be developed as an integrated commercial/offices/ residential complex.
Energy Conservation Strategy
Building blocks are oriented in such a way that every block gets at least two hours sunlight even on the shortest of winter days, the winter solstice. Planning and design based on TOD principles provides an opportunity to create energy-efficient buildings.
Residential and commercial buildings and vehicular transportation are the biggest contributors of pollutants in cities. Construction of tall concrete buildings with huge glass facades and reduction in open spaces have resulted in the absence of optimum, diffused natural light and ventilation. In case of most of the modern buildings, about 70% is utilized for lighting and air conditioning. Similarly, in the transportation sector, old buses must be replaced with electric and hybrid buses to control the polluting emissions occurring due to outdated machinery. Introduction of the BRT system in cities supported by TOD developme