Ecohousing Minutes 27 Aug 2007

Minutes of Meeting – Eco Housing Theme Group

Held on Monday, August 27, 2007 at Sanjeevani Developers, Pune

Attendees:

• Sanjay Deshpande
• Veena Dharmaraj
• Poorva Keskar
• Anagha Paranjape
  Pushkar Kanvinde
• Rajiv Raje
• Pratima Kirloskar
• Dinesh Girolla

Points discussed:

1. Zoning for Eco-housing was discussed – Can we develop zones (environmentally sensitive areas) where all projects will have to be necessarily Eco Housing projects? How to define these zones?
2. How can we determine the ‘carrying capacity’ of these zones – what parameters can we use?There was a need felt that the DC Rules Theme Group and the Eco Housing Theme Group merge its discussions periodically so that some recommendations for eco housing can be incorporated in the new frame for DC Rules
3. It is now decided to structure the way discussions are happening. Each and every criteria of the Eco Housing norms will be discussed jointly by the group and come up with relevant suggestions / recommendations as to its promotion at the city level
4. One very important take out of the wastewater recycling criteria was that can we reserve land in the new DP for decentralized Sewage Treatment Plants and Rainwater / storm-water treatments plants. This facility is either ward wise or zone wise, where the adjoining building development needs to connect to. This facility will aid the smaller plots to implement the aforesaid eco housing criteria. The bigger plots can be self sufficient. Similar recommendations in DP and Dc Rules may emerge out of the 88 different criteria.
5. Discussions happened on redevelopment of core areas – FSI allowable? Controlling densities. Character of streets
6. It was also suggested that we as a group develop guidelines for Eco Housing for different plot sizes to see the economic viability. These guidelines will also extend to commercial and retrofit projects
7. It has been suggested that all the Minutes of our meetings be put up on http://www.ourpune.com/ website to open up the group discussions to the citizens of Pune. etc. This has been agreed to and Mrs Pratima Kirloskar will be taking the responsibility of uploading the minutes on to this website
8. There was a discussion on Builder Registration by Pune Municipal Corporation to control implementation of all development norms.
9. There was a discussion on using the mechanism of Insurance of real estate to check illegal constructions and safety of buildings, particularly in high density core areas of the city. The concept of a Sinking Fund and offset in property taxes to generate funds for society maintenance and upkeep of eco measures was discussed.
10. Lastly, it was agreed that as the Eco Housing Theme Group, the existing Eco Housing Cell of PMC will utilized for awareness and promotion.
11. The next meeting is scheduled on 13 September 2007, between 3 and 5 pm at Royal Park, Sanjeevani Developers.