Bharath University--

Bharath Institute of Science and Technology

(Declared Under Section 3 of UGC Act, 1956)
Selaiyur, Chennai-73
Department: Architecture Semester:VII
Subject Name:Urban Housing Subject Code: BAR 703

UNIT-1
HOUSING ISSUES-INDIAN CONTEXT
PART -A
1. What are the differences between housing need & Housing demand?
Shelter is a basic need of man. A standard shelter or house does not merely mean any structure,it is a
permanent structure ,with basic services like water supply,sanitation and access roads. Housing need is
an expression of housing requirements I.e the requirement of shelter for the homeless. Housing demand
is market driven ,it is based on the willingness of people with a basic shelter wanting a change or
upgrade in their shelter.

2. What is the focus of JNNURM

The aim is to encourage reforms and fast track planned development of identified cities. Focus is to be
on efficiency in urban infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms, community participation, and
accountability of Urban local bodies / Parastatal agencies towards citizens.

3. List 4 housing agencies in India

HUDCO (Housing & urban development corporation limited)
TNSCB (National Housing bank)
TNHB(Tamilnadu Housing board)
NBO(National Buildings Organization)

4. Name any two schemes proposed by the government of India to address Housing need of
the lower income and economically weaker sections.
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban renewal Mission (JNNURM)
Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)

5. State the ultimate goal of National Housing policy 2007

The ultimate goal of National Housing Policy is to ensure sustainable development of all urban human
settlements, duly serviced by basic civic amenities for ensuring better quality of life for all urban
citizens.

6. State the core focus area of National Housing policy 2007

The core focus of this Policy is provision of “Affordable Housing For All” with special emphasis on
vulnerable sections of society such as Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes,
Minorities and the urban poor.
 7. State the role of central government in implementing the National Housing policy
The central government has taken up on itself a small share of their direct responsibility in providing
social housing. The Central Government in collaboration with governments in States/UTs, Urban Local
Bodies and other agencies will implement the aims of the National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy,
through action-oriented initiatives at all levels of Government. The central government will act as an
enabler and facilitator

8. State the role of state government in implementing the National Housing policy
The State Government would (in consultation with Urban Local Bodies)
i) Prepare the State Urban Housing & Habitat Policy (SUHHP).
ii) Act as a facilitator and enabler in collaboration with ULBs/parastatals/ PrivateSector/Co-operative
Sector/NGOs with regard to Integrated Slum Development Projects as well as Integrated Township
Development Projects. Further, the State Government will ensure suitable flow of financial resources to
potential EWS/LIG beneficiaries as well as undertake viability gap funding of large housing and habitat
development projects.

9. What is the role of NGO's in Housing

NGO's in the shelter sector can be placed in three categories depending on the involvement,
I) act only in an advisory capacity or as facilitatiors in house construction or slum upgradation
II) Motivating and organizing people to undertake the task or providing technical knowledge,legal
services etc.
III) Involved in entire shelter production and delivery process

10. State the need for a housing policy

In a country like India with a large percentage of population falling under the economically weaker
section,it is a social responsibility to provide for their shelter. Central Government takes primary
responsibility for that and has proposed a housing policy to cater to housing need.

PART-B
1. Describe objectives of national housing policy in detail
The National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy intends to achieve the following
Urban Planning
i) Encouraging State Governments, Urban Local Bodies, Development Authorities to periodically
update their Master Plans and Zoning Plans which should, adequately provide for housing and basic
services for the urban poor.
ii) Promoting balanced urban-rural planning by following the Regional Planning Approach, take the
whole State/UT as a region, under the Town & Country Planning Acts in the States.
iii) Planning of Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) at the city Metropolitan Planning Area and Sub
region levels.
Affordable Housing
iv) Accelerating the pace of development of housing and related infrastructure.
v) Creating adequate housing stock both on rental and ownership basis with special emphasis on
improving the affordability of the vulnerable and economically weaker sections of society through
appropriate capital or interest subsidies.
vi) Using technology for modernizing the housing sector for enhancing energy and cost efficiency,
productivity and quality. Technology would be harnessed to meet the housing needs of the poor. The
concept of ‘green’ and ‘intelligent’ buildings would be put in place on the ground. Technological
advances would be disseminated for preventing and mitigating the effects of natural
disasters on buildings, e.g., in case of earthquakes, floods, cyclones, etc.
Increase flow of Funds
vii) Promoting larger flow of funds from governmental and private sources for fulfilling housing and
infrastructure needs by designing innovative financial instruments.
viii) Designing suitable fiscal concessions in congruence with the Housing and Habitat Policy with
appropriate monitoring mechanism to ensure that the concessions are correctly targeted and utilized.
ix) Removing legal, financial and administrative barriers for facilitating access to tenure, land, finance
and technology.
x) Shifting to a demand driven approach and from subsidy based housing schemes to cost recovery
cum-subsidy schemes for housing through a proactive financial policy including micro-finance and
related self-help group programmes.
Spatial Incentives
xi) Innovative spatial incentives like relaxation of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for ensuring that 20-25 % of
the FAR are reserved for EWS / LIG and issuance of Transferable Development Rights(TDR) for
clearance of transport bottlenecks in the inner-city areas and availability of additional FAR in Outer
Zones will be promoted with a view to meeting the housing shortage amongst EWS/ LIG.
xii) Careful review of authorized Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in line with international practices for
allowing more efficient use of scarce urban land by construction of high rise buildings.
Increase Supply of Land
xiii) Facilitating accessibility to serviced land and housing with focus on economically weaker sections
and low income group categories.
xiv) Suitable restructuring for enabling both institutions at the State and Centre levels as well as the
private sector for increasing supply of land.
Special Provision for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities/Disabled
xv) Special efforts for catering to the needs of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward
Classes, Minorities, Disabled persons, slum dwellers, street vendors other informal sector workers and
other vulnerable sections of the society in relation to housing and access to basic services.
Special Provision for Women
xvi) Involving women at all levels of decision making for ensuring their participation in formulation
and implementation of housing policies and programmes.
xvii) Addressing the special needs of women headed households, single women, working women and
women in difficult circumstances in relation to housing serviced by basic amenities.
Employment Generation
xviii) Upgradation of construction skills and accelerated development of housing and infrastructure
sectors for giving an impetus to employment generation.
Public-Private Partnerships
xix) Forging strong partnerships between public, private and cooperative sectors for accelerated growth
in the Housing Sector and sustainable development of habitat.
Management Information System
xx) Establishing a Management Information System (MIS) in the Housing Sector for strengthening
monitoring of building activities in the country.
Healthy Environment
xxi) Developing cities/towns in a manner which promotes a healthy environment, encouraging use of
renewable energy resources and ensuring effective solid waste management in collaboration with
persons involved in recycling activities.
xxii) Protecting our cultural heritage and architecture as well as promoting traditional skills with
suitable adaptation to modern technologies.

2. List any four housing agencies in India and describe their functions and contributions for
housing development
NATIONAL BUILDINGS ORGANIZATION (NBO)
The National Buildings Organisation (NBO) was established in 1954 as an attached office under the
Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (the then Ministry of Works and Housing) for
technology transfer, experimentation, development and dissemination of housing statistics.

In the context of formulation of Housing Policy and Programmes, study of socio-economic aspects of
housing issues and the increased need for housing statistics, NBO was restructured in 1992.

NBO was further restructured in March, 2006 with the revised mandate keeping in view the current
requirements under the National Housing Policy, and various socio-economic and statistical functions
connected with housing and building activities.

The mandate of the NBO in its restructured form is as follows: -

To collect, collate, validate, analyse, disseminate and publish the housing and building construction
statistics.

To organize training programmes for the officers and staff of the State Government engaged in
collection and dissemination of housing and building construction statistics.

To create and manage a documentation centre relating to housing, poverty, slums and infrastructure
related statistics.

To coordinate with all the State Govts/Research Institutions/UNCHS/International Bodies etc. as being
a nodal agency in the field to cater to the statistical needs of the planners, policy makers and research
organization in the field of housing and related infrastructural facilities .

To conduct regular short term sample surveys in various pockets of the country to study the impact of
the plan schemes, which are being run by the Ministry by utilizing the service of staff so employed on
contractual basis. At least two such studies will be conducted in a year.

To undertake special socio-economic studies evaluating the impact of the plans, policies and
programmes in the field of housing and infrastructure, as and when required, by the Ministry for which
the additional funds will be provided by the Ministry.

NBO is primarily engaged in collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of housing and
construction statistics with a view to have an effective country-wide system for this purpose.

In addition, the Organisation coordinates activities relating to the information emanating from various
sources, namely, the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, National Sample
Survey Organisation and other concerned organisations.

The NBO is the only organization in the Government of India, which is responsible for developing an
authentic and reliable database on housing and building statistics.

The statistics collected and disseminated by NBO is not only used in policy formulation but is also
used by various research organizations in the field of housing. The information disseminated by NBO
is also used and taken by international agencies as the authentic official statistics.
 NBO being the nodal agency in respect of housing statistics at the central level not only coordinates
with state governments but also guides the State Government authorities in collection of housing
statistics through its training programmes.

National Buildings Organisation collects data on i) Current Housing and Building Construction
Activity Statistics, both from public and private sectors, in the urban areas on annual basis; ii) quarterly
Building Material Prices and Wages of Labour from Selected Centres spread all over the country; iii)
Building Construction Cost Index for LIG houses constructed by PWD from various centres spread all
over the country on quarterly basis, iv) Building Permits and Completion Certificates issued by the
Municipalities having population of 100,000 and more on annual basis. The data so collected is
tabulated and released through its various publications.

TAMILNADU HOUSING BOARD (THNB)

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board is a body, duly constituted by an act called “Tamil Nadu Housing
Board Act, 1961”. (Madras Act 17 of 1961). Originally it was called City Improvement Trust (CIT)
which later became the present Tamil Nadu Housing Board.

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board is catering the Housing needs of different categories of the society in
tune with their economic affordability.

The Board is managed by a Board of Directors with due representation from other state organisations,
conducting meetings periodically taking policy decision to guide the Board.

OBJECTIVES/FUNCTIONS:

i) Developing house sites (Plots) and

ii) Creating Satellite towns in the peripheral area of the city.

iii) Building houses and flats to cater to the needs of the people of all sections of the society with
necessary infrastructure like quality roads, public health preference such as sewerage disposal and
potable water supply, etc.

V) Cost effectiveness and affordability.

Vi) Services like tying up for loans with housing financial institutions and National Banks for
Housing Finance.

vii) Clean, clear and free from encumbrance marketable title.

viii) After sales service

TNHB has created self-sustaining townships in late 1970s and early 1980s like Anna Nagar, Besant
Nagar, KK Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Tambaram, Thirumullaivoyal and Shastri Nagar. Owing to the
elevation in economic activity to the south of Chennai, it has created self-sustaining township in
Sholinganallur with wide roads, residential plots, apartments, school and park zones. It has also
completed mid size neighborhood developments in Velachery, Mogappair and Chitlapakkam. Other
promotions are also seen as small and mid sized neighbourhoods in tier-II cities like Coimbatore and
Madurai.

TNHB categorizes the developments based on Income levels of end users as

EWS Upto Rs. 2,100/- P.M.

LIG Rs.2,101/- to Rs. 4,500/-P.M.
MIG Rs.4,501/- to Rs. 7,500/-P.M.
HIG Rs.7,501/- and above P.M.

The following category wise reservation is followed for allotment of development

Scheduled Caste including Adi Dravidas 18 %

Scheduled Tribes 1%
State Government Servants 18%
Central Govt.Servants including Employees of TNEB. 8%
Defense Personnel including Ex-serviceman 7%
Dhobies & Barbers 4%
Working Journalists 3%
Language Crusaders 1%
Employees of TNHB 2%
General public 38%

TAMILNADU SLUM CLEARANCE BOARD (TNSCB)

Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board a pioneer institution for development and rehabilitation of urban
slums was set up in 1970 with the motto 'God, we shall see, in the smile of the poor ' for the clearance
and improvement of urban slum areas in Tamil Nadu. It has been implementing various Housing, Slum
Improvement and Rehabilitation and Resettlement schemes to ameliorate the living conditions of the
slum dwellers in Tamil Nadu.

OBJECTIVES
To clear all the slums in Chennai & to provide self contained hygienic tenements.
To prevent the growth of slums & encroachments
To prevent the eviction of slum dwellers by private owners and to provide the slum families with
security of tenure.
To provide basic amenities like water supply, street lights, storm water drains, sewer line, etc to the
slum areas .

POLICIES / STRATEGY

The three pronged strategy for developing / clearing slums followed by Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance
Board are:

i) In-situ plotted development and infrastructure improvement

Wherever in-situ development is feasible, such slums are identified and taken up for in-situ
improvement for provision of basic facilities to make the areas habitable and for provision of tenurial
rights to the occupiers after getting the land transferred to the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board.
ii) In-situ tenemental schemes

The slums located in unobjectionable poramboke areas, wherein equitable distribution of space to all is
not feasible, are cleared and tenemental schemes put up.

iii) Rehabilitation and Resettlement scheme

Wherever neither tenemental nor insitu development is feasible, (as in the case of objectionable
porambokes like water ways etc.,) Rehabilitation and Resettlement in tenements in nearby locations
with necessary infrastructure is taken up. The cleared site is then restored to its original use.

Other Programmes

i) Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board has provided support to individual housing schemes under
different programmes like VAMBAY, Rajiv Gandhi Rehabilitation Package etc.,

ii) To ensure holistic development and economic upliftment of the poor, the Board has spear-headed
community development activities in the slums, under which it imparts vocational training and
livelihood support, specially for the youth and women

HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (HUDCO)

The housing and urban development sector plays a significant role in the economic and social
development of a country. The access to and the quality of housing and urban basic services directly
influence the quality of life of people, their productivity levels and growth potential.

Before the establishment of HUDCO, the Government of India was operating a number of subsidized
housing schemes and loan schemes. The subsidized housing schemes were meant for industrial
workers, economically weaker section of the society and slum dwellers, while the loan schemes were
targeted for the people in the low-income and middle-income groups as well as rental housing schemes
for State Government employees. All these schemes were under the direct control of the Ministry of
Works and Housing. Such a system of housing finance did not give the required thrust for promoting
housing development activities, which in many cases were considered of lower priority.

The establishment of HUDCO in 1970 as a sectoral institution for comprehensively dealing with the
problems of growing housing shortages, rising number of slums and for fulfilling the pressing needs of
the economically weaker section of the society was one of the significant steps in the series of
initiatives taken by Government. Thus the setting up of HUDCO was aimed at accelerating the pace of
construction and elimination of housing shortages and for orderly development of urban centres.

The Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO) was incorporated on April 25, 1970
under the Companies Act 1956, as a fully owned enterprise of the Government of India.

Apart from the financing operations, HUDCO offers consultancy services, promotes research and
studies and help propagate use of local building materials, cost-effective and innovative construction
technologies.

OBJECTIVES
The Article of Memorandum of HUDCO stripulates the Major Objective of HUDCO as under:
To provide long term finance for construction of houses for residential purposes or finance or undertake
housing and urban development programmes in the country.

To finance or undertake, wholly or partly, the setting up of new or satellite town.

To subscribe to the debentures and bonds to be issued by the State Housing (and or Urban
Development) Boards, Improvement Trusts, Development Authorities etc., specifically for the purpose
of financing housing and urban development programmes.

To finance or undertake the setting up of industrial enterprises of building material.

To administer the moneys received, from time to time, from the Government of India and other sources
as grants or otherwise for the purposes of financing or undertaking housing and urban development
programmes in the country.

To promote, establish, assist, collaborate and provide consultancy services for the projects of designing
and planning of works relating to Housing and Urban Development programmes in India and abroad.

3. Explain with example the impact of traditional lifestyle on housing

Explain any one traditional occupation and the kind of spaces required while designing.Could also
compare two occupations like fishermen and dobhi

4. Explain in detail two schemes developed to cater to the need for housing in India

JNNURM

Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) supports 63 cities (7 mega cities, 28
metro cities and 28 capital cities and towns of historical/religious importance) across the country in
terms of perspective plans called City Development Plans (CDPs) for specifying infrastructure gaps
relating to water, sanitation, sewerage, drainage and roads on the one hand and deficiencies in housing
and basic services on the other hand
The Mission
The aim is to encourage reforms and fast track planned development of identified cities. Focus is to be
on efficiency in urban infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms, community participation, and
accountability of ULBs/ Parastatal agencies towards citizens.

Objectives of the Mission

(1) The objectives of the JNNURM are to ensure that the following are achieved in the urban sector;.
(a) Focussed attention to integrated development of infrastructure services in cities covered under the
Mission;.
(b) Establishment of linkages between asset-creation and asset-management through a slew of reforms
for long-term project sustainability;.
(c) Ensuring adequate funds to meet the deficiencies in urban infrastructural services;.
(d) Planned development of identified cities including peri-urban areas, outgrowths and urban corridors
leading to dispersed urbanisation;.
(e) Scale-up delivery of civic amenities and provision of utilities with emphasis on universal access to
the urban poor;.
(f ) Special focus on urban renewal programme for the old city areas to reduce congestion; and
(g) Provision of basic services to the urban poor including security of tenure at affordable prices,
improved housing, water supply and sanitation, and ensuring delivery of other existing universal
services of the government for education, health and social security.

Scope of the Mission

The Mission shall comprise two Sub- Missions, namely:
(1) Sub-Mission for Urban Infrastructure and Governance: This will be administered by the Ministry of
Urban Development through the Sub- Mission Directorate for Urban Infrastructure and Governance.
The main thrust of the Sub-Mission will be on infrastructure projects relating to water supply and
sanitation, sewerage, solid waste management, road network, urban transport and redevelopment of old
city areas with a view to upgrading infrastructure therein, shifting industrial and commercial
establishments to conforming areas, etc.

(2) Sub-Mission for Basic Services to the Urban Poor: This will be administered by the Ministry of
Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation through the Sub-Mission Directorate for Basic Services to
the Urban Poor. The main thrust of the Sub-Mission will be on integrated development of slums
through projects for providing shelter, basic services and other related civic amenities with a view to
providing utilities to the urban poor.

Strategy of the Mission

The objectives of the Mission shall be met through the adoption of the following strategy:
(1) Preparing City Development Plan: Every city will be expected to formulate a City Development
Plan (CDP) indicating policies, programmes and strategies, and financing plans.
(2) Preparing Projects: The CDP would facilitate identification of projects. The Urban Local Bodies
(ULBs) / parastatal agencies will be required to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for
undertaking projects in the identified spheres. It is essential that projects are planned in a manner that
optimises the life-cycle cost of projects. The life-cycle cost of a project would cover the capital outlays
and the attendant O&M costs to ensure that assets are in good working condition. A revolving fund
would be created to meet the O&M requirements of assets created, over the planning horizon. In order
to seek JNNURM assistance, projects would need to be developed in a manner that would ensure and
demonstrate optimisation of the life-cycle costs over the planning horizon of the project.
(3) Release and Leveraging of Funds: It is expected that the JNNURM assistance would serve to
catalyse the flow of investment into the urban infrastructure sector across the country. Funds from the
Central and State Government will flow directly to the nodal agency designated by the State, as grants-
in-aid. The funds for identified projects across cities would be disbursed to the ULB/Parastatal agency
through the designated State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) as soft loan or grant-cum-loan or grant. The
SLNA / ULBs in turn would leverage additional resources from other sources.
(4) Incorporating Private Sector Efficiencies: In order to optimise the life-cycle costs over the
planninghorizon, private sector efficiencies can be inducted in development, management,
implementation and financing of projects, through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.

Duration of the Mission

The duration of the Mission would be seven years beginning from the year 2005-06. Evaluation of the
experience of implementation of the Mission would be undertaken before the commencement of
Eleventh Five Year Plan and if necessary, the program calibrated suitably.

Expected Outcomes of the JNNURM

On completion of the Mission period, it is expected that ULBs and parastatal agencies will have
achieved the following:
(1) Modern and transparent budgeting, accounting, financial management systems, designed
and adopted for all urban service and governance functions
(2) City-wide framework for planning and governance will be established and become operational
(3) All urban residents will be able to obtain access to a basic level of urban services
(4) Financially self-sustaining agencies for urban governance and service delivery will be established,
through reforms to major revenue instruments
(5) Local services and governance will be conducted in a manner that is transparent and accountable to
citizens
(6) E-governance applications will be introduced in core functions of ULBs/Parastatal resulting in
reduced cost and time of service delivery processes.

RAY

Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) envisages a “Slum Free India" with inclusive and equitable cities in which
every citizen has access to basic civic infrastructure and social amenities and decent shelter.
Mission

Encourage States/Union Territories (UTs) to tackle slums in a definitive manner, by focusing on:

Bringing all existing slums, notified or non-notified (including recognised and identified) within the
formal system and enabling them to avail the basic amenities that is available for the rest of the
city/UA;

Redressing the failures of the formal system that lie behind the creation of slums by planning for
affordable housing stock for the urban poor and initiating crucial policy changes required for
facilitating the same.
Objectives:

Improving and provisioning of housing, basic civic infrastructure and social amenities in intervened
slums.

Enabling reforms to address some of the causes leading to creation of slums.

Facilitating a supportive environment for expanding institutional credit linkages for the urban poor.

Institutionalizing mechanisms for prevention of slums including creation of affordable housing stock.

Strengthening institutional and human resource capacities at the Municipal, City and State levels
through comprehensive capacity building and strengthening of resource networks.

Empowering community by ensuring their participation at every stage of decision making through
strengthening and nurturing Slum Dwellers’ Association/Federations.

Scope

RAY is to be implemented in a mission mode and will provide financial support to States/UTs/Urban
Local Bodies (ULBs)/Central Government Agencies, hereafter called implementing agencies, for
providing housing and improvement of basic civic infrastructure and social amenities in each selected
slums. Rental and transit housing will be admissible under the scheme. Operation and maintenance
(O&M) of assets created under this scheme will also be eligible for funding.

RAY will also extend financial support to States for creation of affordable housing stock through
public-private partnership (PPP) under the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) component of the
scheme.

Time period

The implementation phase of the scheme is for the period 2013-2022.

Implementation approach

Two step implementation strategy would be adopted i.e. preparation of Slum-free City Plans of Action
(SFCPoAs) on ‘whole city’ basis and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on ‘whole slum’ basis for
selected slums.

Preparation of Slum-free City Plans of Action (SFCPoA): The SFCPoA will be an overall action
plan of the ULB with investment requirements projected and prioritized for improving/developing the
existing slums and providing houses including basic civic infrastructure and social amenities for the
urban poor for the next 10-15 years.

Preparation of Detailed Project Reports for the Selected Slums

On the basis of prioritization of slums in SFCPoAs, cities would be required to prepare Detailed
Project Reports (DPRs) following a ‘whole slum’ approach. In each selected slum, an integrated
approach would be adopted with the provision of housing, basic civic infrastructure and social
amenities. DPRs should include details of arrangements for convergence of inputs of health, education,
social security, livelihoods and connectivity to city civic infrastructure from existing schemes and
programmes of State/ULB/Centre.

5. Explain the need for a housing policy in India

The National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy, 2007 seeks to use the perspective of Regional
Planning as brought out in the 74th Amendment Act in terms of preparation of District Plans by District
Planning Committees (DPCs) and Metropolitan Plans by Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs)
as a vital determinant of systematic urban planning. The policy seeks to promote a symbiotic
development of rural and urban areas. In this regard, the policy seeks to ensure refinement of Town and
Country Planning Acts (wherever required) and their effective implementation.

The core focus of this Policy is provision of “Affordable Housing For All” with special emphasis on
vulnerable sections of society such as Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes,
Minorities and the urban poor

NEED:

Housing policy is needed for the following reasons

“Urban” in India is defined as a human settlement with a minimum population of 5000 persons, with
75% of the male working population engaged in non-agricultural activities and a population density of
at least 400 persons per sq. km. Further, all statutory towns having a Municipal Corporation,
Municipal Council or Nagar Panchayat as well as a Cantonment Board are classified as “urban.”

The process of urbanization in India is marked by increasing concentration in comparatively larger

cities. In 2001, 68.7% of the total urban population was living in Class I cities (defined as cities having
a population of over 100,000). The shares of medium and small towns in the total population stood at
21.9% and 9.4% respectively.

The spotlight is focused on the mismatch between demand and supply of housing units. 99% of the
housing shortage of 24.7 million at the end of the 10th Plan pertains to the Economically Weaker
Sections (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG) sectors. Given the fact that 26.7% of the total poor in
the country live in urban areas, the issue of affordability assumes critical significance. In terms of
numbers, 26.7% of the total poor implies 80.7 million persons or about one-forth of the country’s total
urban population.

In view of the fact that 50% of India’s population is forecasted to be living in urban areas by 2041, it is
necessary to develop new integrated townships. These green-field townships should generally be
located on comparatively degraded land excluding prime agricultural areas growing more than one crop
with the help of assured irrigation. These green-field townships should be located at a reasonable
distance from medium or large existing towns.

Further, it is also important to develop mass rapid transport corridors between existing medium and
large towns and new green-field towns so that the relationship between industry and commerce is
developed to an optimum level.

As per a Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) estimate, the Housing Sector contributed 4.5% to
India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2003-04 at current prices. The contribution of housing in
urban areas to the GDP in 2003-04 was 3.13%. Further, the spotlight is focused on the fact that 16% of
the Indian work force is engaged in Construction and Transport Sectors. It is estimated that overall
employment generation in the economy on account of additional investment in the
Construction/Housing Sectors is eight times the direct employment . In view of the substantial use of
cement, steel, marble/ceramic tiles, electrical wiring, PVC pipes and various types of fittings;
construction activity has a multiplier effect on industrial demand for these items.

At the advent of the 21st Century (2001), the housing stock in India stood at 50.95 million for 55.8
million urban households. Significant segments of this housing stock was characterized by congestion
and obsolescence. Congestion is particularly acute in inner city slums and peripheral slums. According
to the Census 2001, 61.82 million persons or 23.1% of the urban population resides in slums. The
quality of housing stock in slums is extremely poor. An important reason for this is insecurity of tenure.
Slums are also severely deficient in basic services such as potable water, sanitation, sewerage, storm
water drainage and solid waste disposal.

Given the degraded habitat in which slum dwellers live and the frequent episodes of illness
characterizing slum families, it is of vital importance that special attention is paid to urban health and
hygiene on the one hand and social and preventive medicine on the other hand. In order to improve the
quality of life in urban areas, it is of critical significance that the housing stock is improved through
urban renewal, in situ slum improvement and development of new housing stock in existing cities as
well as new townships.
Further, the enhancement of housing stock must be accompanied with high quality provision of basic
services. It is a well established fact that safe, hygienic and spacious provisioning of housing duly
buttressed with adequate basic services and a congenial habitat promotes significant improvement in
productivity of workers.

The magnitude of housing shortage was estimated by a Technical Group in the context of formulation
of the 11th Five Year Plan. The Technical Group estimated the housing shortage at the end of the 10th
Plan to be around 24.7 million for 67.4 million households. The Group further estimated that 99% of
this shortage pertains to EWS & LIG sectors. During the 11th Plan, the Group estimated that the total
housing requirement (including backlog) will be to the tune of 26.53 million units for 75.01 million
households.

Whereas more than 23% of the urban population resides in slum (Census:2001), a much higher
proportion of the urban population of metropolitan cities lives in slums; it is estimated that 55% of the
population of Mumbai lives in slums. It is of critical importance that the strategy of in-situ slum
upgradation is adopted for preponderant proportion of the slum dwellers,since they provide valuable
services to residents living close to their own dwelling places.

Non-affordability of housing by economically weaker sections of society and low income families in
urban areas is directly linked with the magnitude of urban poverty. Poverty in India has declined from
320.3 million in 1993- 94 to 301.7 million in 2004-05. While there has been a decline of 18 million
persons in the total numbers of the poor in India, the NSSO reports that the number of the urban poor
has risen by 4.4 million persons during the same period. One fourth of the country’s total urban
population, numbering 80.7 million persons is below the poverty line. The urban poor constitute 26.7%
of the total poor in the country. The fact that the number of urban poor has risen is in stark contrast with
rural poverty, where both the total number of rural poor and its incidence vis-à-vis the rural population
has fallen.

The urban poor have limited access to basic services. According to the 2001 census, there is a 9%
deficiency in drinking water, 26% in toilets and 23% in drainage. It is quite understandable that most of
this shortage pertains to Slums.

To cater to the above mentioned needs a housing policy is important.

 UNIT-2
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS

PART-A

1. Mention the salient features of slum up gradation scheme

Slum upgrading consists of physical, social, economic, organizational and environmental
improvements to slums undertaken cooperatively and locally among citizens, community groups,
businesses and local authorities. The main objective of slum upgrading is to alleviate the poor living
standards of slum dwellers. Many slums lack basic local authority services such as provision of safe
drinking water, sanitation, waste water and solid waste management

2. Define slums
A slum is a compact settlement of at least 20 households,with a collection of poorly built
tenements,mostly of temporary nature,crowded together with inadequate sanitary and drinking water
facilities in unhygienic conditions.

3. What is the difference between slum clearance and slum up gradation

Slum clearance refers to a strategy where slums are removed and rehabilitated ,this can either be in situ
development or resettlement. Slum upgrading consists of physical, social, economic, organizational and
environmental improvements to slums,it does not involve resettlement or eviction.

4. List causes for formation of slums

1.Rural to urban migration
2.Unplanned urbanization /urban sprawl
3.Poverty
4.Housing shortage
5.Proximity to job opportunities in cities and high rent in urban areas.
6. population Growth
7.Political reasons.

5. What are the social factors that influence housing design

(I) various systems followed in a community like joint family system,caste system,religious customs
(ii) Factors related to occupation,commerce and trade
(iii) Psychological need of territory ,security and sense of belonging

6. What are the economic factors that influence housing design

(I) Unemployment and Underemployment
(ii) Cost of land and Materials
(iii) Poverty
(iv) Housing finance

7. State the contribution of HUDCO to housing sector

HUDCO has so far contributed to the development of 10.14 million dwelling units and 4.7 million low-
cost sanitation units. HUDCO’s infrastructure financing portfolio is growing at a phenomenal rate.
During the last 10 years HUDCO has sanctioned Rs.12.24 billion ($2.9 billion) for infrastructure
projects covering water supply, sewerage, drainage, solid waste management, low cost sanitation, etc.
HUDCO’s operations extend over 1,760 towns and thousands of villages in the country.
 8. State the contribution of CBRI to housing sector
The Central Building Research Institute,has been vested with the responsibility of generating,
cultivating and promoting building science and technology in the service of the country. In the year
1990 CBRI was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as a nodal agency to transfer appropriate
technologies to construct affordable housing to the people who need it most.

9. What is affordable housing

Affordable housing is housing that is appropriate for the needs of a range of very low to moderate
income households and priced so that these households are also able to meet other basic living costs
such as food, clothing, transport, medical care and education. As a rule of thumb, housing is usually
considered affordable if it costs less than 30 percent of gross household income
10. Mention some major problems in the shelter sector in urban areas
Inadequate income levels
Poor infrastructure and environmental factors
Slums
High density and disorderly pattern of land use
Improper planning
Population growth and migration

PART-B

1. Explain the significance and relevance of social & Economic factors which are influencing
the housing design with examples
Social Factors
Man is essentially a social animal. .Man has differentiated himself into various groups and
communities based upon various aspects like origin, faith, beliefs and practices etc, and one finds that
with passage of time these communities develops a rich and distinctive lifestyle and characteristic of
themselves. They have their own peculiar way of living, may that be their celebrations, day-to-day
activities, culture, traditions or customs. Building is result of interaction of man and his nature,
aspiration, social organizations, worldviews, way of life, social and physiological needs, individual
needs and group needs. However, today in our culture, “traditions" – which are the regulators – have
started disappearing for various reasons and house is a direct expression of changing values, images,
perceptions, and way of life

A community evolves from the act of living to share a common culture and share a common collective
image of life.. Every community has something very special and unique about themselves, which
cannot be found within other communities. The differences between the types of buildings in different
area are result of differences in culture, rituals, ways of life, social organization, climates, and
materials and technology available, while the similarities are the evidence not only of areas where some
or all of these factors have coincided, but also of some basic constancies in man’s needs and desires.

The following are those

Territory refers to the sense of ownership,where a person or community is able to clearly identify and
exercise control over a certain space. This gives a sense of belonging and a sense of security/safety that
will help in performing day to day activities

Safety is probably the primary reason for man wanting shelter. Saftey is the absence or control of
disease and hazards
Access Is the ability of reaching different requirements that meet the needs of people and the quantity
and diversity of them. Access and communication are the central assets of any development.

Control is the degree to which space is controlled by people who use it. There are different rights for
people at different places for example a public place can be used by anybody but nobody can obstruct
another from using it where as a in a private space it is possible. Defining the boundaries of
spaces(Territory) is very important to exercise control.

Another social factor that affects housing design but constantly keeps changing is Trend. Trend is
something that prevails for a short span of time and has an immediate effect. For example the societal
pressure of owning a house is the main factor driving the housing market over last 5 to 10 years,which
was not so much of a factor before turn of the century.

Economic Factors

Housing has been the only industry in recent times which has not only withstood the recessionary
pressures, but has also shown a consistent and healthy growth and if the future is to be interpreted in
light of the macro picture, the best is yet to come.
Housing and GDP are interlinked and contribute to each others’ growth. It is, therefore, no wonder that
‘Housing for All’ is invariably proclaimed as a national priority by all major political parties and
adopted as a goal by the Government of India in the National Housing and Habitat Policy document.

Integrated housing development not only satisfy the basic human needs but also facilitates holistic
development within the parameters of a planned welfare economy.

Safe, secure and affordable housing by any means increases employment and educational opportunities
for individuals and enriches communities leading to a better civil society and better quality of life.

Besides the direct contribution which housing makes to GDP it increases social capital which is
intelligible wealth that comes with good social network at the heart of which lies clean environment,
hygienic living and quality housing.

The following economic factors affect housing market and design

Affordability: Housing affordability,viewed as a mismatch between households ability/willingness to

pay and the present market process is identified as a major constraint for market based approach for
housing

Housing finance:The reach of formal housing finance institutions is limited and generally is not
accessible to the poor. Moreover rate of interest at which finance is being offered plays a significant
role in design of housing community.

Technology and material costs: Ever rising price of conventional building materials affects housing
market. However with advent of alternate/low cost building materials and technological innovation the
strain has reduced slightly but there is still a long way to go before these materials are used regularly
/effectively as conventional building materials.

Constraints of Land: Demand for land and the subsequent increase in price of land has affected
affordability.

Unemployment and Poverty: Poverty and unemployment are major deterrents to development and are
important reasons for formation of slums which affect housing development in many ways.

Example: If one views the current trend in the housing market, in Chennai,Two bed room apartments
which fall within in the 35- 40 lakhs price range are being sold more than any other type. The reason
being increase in interest rate which affects affordability, the design of apartments is affected majorly
by a social belief system i.e vasthu.

2. Describe in detail the reasons for formation of slums, the effect on cities and the various
strategies used to improve the conditions of slums

A slum is a compact settlement of at least 20 households,with a collection of poorly built

tenements,mostly of temporary nature,crowded together with inadequate sanitary and drinking water
facilities in unhygienic conditions.

Majority of the developed countries, developing countries and less developed countries are facing this
problem of slums and there is no panacea to eradicate the same from the surface of the earth. Slums
are universal in character and no country is able to get rid of them. Unplanned urbanization with its
attendant evils of negating the fundamental purpose of human society- a secure, rewarding and happy
life- is no doubt a matter of great concern. Infrastructure facilities like housing, safe drinking water
supply, transport, health care, educational institutions for children, parks, etc,. have become woefully
inadequate and will soon reach a critical stage threatening the civilized existence itself. As per the
latest information more than one fifth of urban population living in slums and squatters, settlements,
the future can only be one of still larger population living in such conditions if public neglect continues.
It is said every second there are two additional mouths to feed. At the last count, more than 74 million
people were added to the world population in one year. The overcrowding population, poverty,
ignorance, diseases, mal nutrition, etc, must be eliminated and the society should seek improvement of
living standards and quality of life of the people.

Rrapid urbanization while paving the way for prosperity has also been responsible for creation of
slums, degeneration of human society and it is the base for its enhancing character. In the western
countries the problem of housing and slums came to the forefront after the Industrial Revolution. In
United Kingdom the rapid establishment of Industrial units and simultaneously mechanization of
agricultural sector, there was a sudden influx from the rural to urban areas. This had resulted in massive
level of migration from the rural to urban areas and earning more income than the previous one at their
native places. Once the income earning member reaches to the centers of developed area automatically
his relatives move towards the urban centers not only for income earning through working in
employment sectors or in informal sectors but also learning latest development of technology.

In the present day world especially in developing countries, the growth of slums is usually parallel to
the growth of urbanization. In India is no exception to urbanization. In India, one important reason for
the migration of the rural population to the metropolitan cities, apart from the fact that urban areas offer
better job opportunities appears to be that the development of rural areas has lagged far behind, with
the result that the rural population is attracted to the amenities and entertainment facilities which are
available in the cities. Housing has, without exception, failed to keep pace with staggering rate of
migration in to the cities and inevitable result has been unplanned growth of the cities and the
consequent growth of slums

Factors Responsible for Creation of Slums

Various factors influence the creation of slums in most of the developing countries of the world. Some
of the major contributory factors responsible for the growth of slums especially in Chennai during the
early periods can be summarized as follows;

1. In the early phase of industrialization, there is large-scale migration to the cities due to
employment opportunities and other community facilities and advantages offered by the city, which are
absent in majority of the rural areas of developed countries of the world.

2. The poverty which means an income level which is inadequate to maintain a decent standards of
living as judged by the standards of the society and low paying capacity of the migrants, force them to
find refuge either in low rental areas or to squat on the unused land located near their work places.

3. There is a housing shortage in urban areas due to low level of income among the economically
weaker sections of the society, underprivileged sections of the society, etc,.

4. Proximity of their houses, close to the source of employment for economic reasons especially
due to the low level of transportation cost.

5. Due to the high and fast growth of migration especially from all rural areas of Indian territory to
the urban centers mainly searching for livelihood, there is great strain on the existing transport system
and there is absence of cheap and rapid transport, existing roads are not good for smooth transportation
as per the latest scientific development of the mechanized vehicles to the work place.

6. There is often absence of comprehensive development planning and if it is there, it may not
have taken in to consideration the existing socio economic conditions and requirements of the ever
growing population belonging to the economically, politically weaker sections of the society.

7. There is always inadequate and insufficient municipal civic amenities which increase to the
problems of the slum squatters and cause many other problems. In addition to the above mentioned the
available municipal civic facilities are not properly maintained and not functioning at the appropriate
time.

8. The high rents accompanied by the even high rates of advance (premium required to be paid to
secure possession) in Chennai, have encouraged occupiers or owners even of average dwelling unit to
part with portion of their buildings. These sub divisions of small dwelling units have further added to
overcrowding and congestion.

Characteristics of Slums
On the basis of observation from slums, we can outline its major characteristics, which are
given below:

Appearance:
This may be called a universal mark of the slum; its aspect of neglect and disorder with respect to
building, yards and streets. The appearance is generally one of dilapidated and old structures and a
declining trend in respect of amenities.
Economic Status:
Generally, the people of the lowest income group inhabit a slum; although there may be
occasional buildings of equally run down appearance inhabited by families that are not so poor.
However, in general, poor people inhabit the slum.

Over-crowding:
We may find that the cluster is over crowded. Most of the buildings / tenements are
crowded with the people. If the slum is retreating many buildings are unsafe for habitation, but there
can be overcrowding in the building occupied. Uninhabited spaces are occupied by undesirable
occupants and use it as junkyards.

Population:
In a slum of a heterogeneous occupancy many of the inhabitants are not welcome in other residential
areas, or they cannot afford to live elsewhere. Thus, it may be a refuge area of the homeless, socially
mal adjusted.

Health and Sanitation:

For understandable reasons when compared with other area of residence, the slum is
characterized by low standards of sanitation. The slum is often most neglected by the public services
for sanitation. For variety of reasons it may also be an area of high sickness and death rates.

Morals:
The slums may be an area of delinquency, crime but this is more likely to be true of the socially
disorganized slum. While such a slum may not be the habitat of successful criminals, it may be the
habitat of marginal types or the hiding place of fugitive criminals.

Way of Life:
Slums differ widely with respect to the social organization of their inhabitants. They range from the
slums in which the inhabitants are strangers to one another and wish to be, to the family slum in which
there is wide acquaintance between inhabitants.

Social Isolation:
Every residential area within the modern city tends to be socially isolated from others, partly by choice
and partly by location, the slum is especially so. It is the area of lowest status inhabited by slum
dwellers.

Strategies

The three pronged strategy for developing / clearing slums followed by Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance
Board are:

i) In-situ plotted development and infrastructure improvement

Wherever in-situ development is feasible, such slums are identified and taken up for in-situ
improvement for provision of basic facilities to make the areas habitable and for provision of tenurial
rights to the occupiers after getting the land transferred to the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board.

ii) In-situ tenemental schemes

The slums located in unobjectionable poramboke areas, wherein equitable distribution of space to all is
not feasible, are cleared and tenemental schemes put up.

iii) Rehabilitation and Resettlement scheme

Wherever neither tenemental nor insitu development is feasible, (as in the case of objectionable
porambokes like water ways etc.,) Rehabilitation and Resettlement in tenements in nearby locations
with necessary infrastructure is taken up. The cleared site is then restored to its original use.

3. Discuss in detail the concept of sites and services scheme and its features stating examples

Rapid growth of urban areas in most developing countries in the last few decades has led to shortfall in
many sectors, primarily housing. The problem has been two-fold: on one hand, the majority of the
people moving to the urban areas have lacked the necessary asset and financial holdings in order to
acquire a "decent" house. On the other hand, the designated government agencies and bodies have not
provided sufficient housing units which are affordable for the poor majority in urban areas. The
proliferation of slums and squatter settlements has been a result of this scenario. But a growing
understanding of the dynamics involved in the development and expansion of squatter settlements has
led to a number of innovative housing schemes in various developing countries to solve the "dilemma"
of housing. Particularly with the intention of improving the environmental quality of squatter
settlements and provide it with the basic necessary infrastructure, one such innovative schemes which
has received wide acknowledgement and following has been "sites-and-services" schemes.

The realization that providing a "complete" serviced house by government agencies is not possible or
simply cannot be afforded by most low-income families prompted a shift in focus from supplying a
fully serviced house to that of providing only serviced land. The key characteristic of the approach the
use of the beneficiaries' "sweat equity" and other internal resources (community, financial and so on) in
the actual construction and development of the houses.

Sites-and-services schemes became the byword for solving the problem of squatter settlements.
Squatter settlements were and has always been considered illegal and in order to relocate and
rehabilitate the squatters (as a function of "slum clearance"), plots of land (or sites) with infrastructure
on it (or services) were provided, and the beneficiaries had to, in most of the projects, build their own
houses on such land. There are a wide variety of sites-and-services schemes, ranging from the
subdivided plot only to a serviced plot of land with a "core" house built on it.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT

The genesis behind Sites-and-services schemes is not new: low-income people have always been
housing themselves, albeit "illegally", in most urban areas of the developing world. The key departure
from earlier housing schemes, like low-cost housing or subsidized high-rise housing units, is that it
recognized the ability of the low-income households to build their own house, provided an opportunity
was given.

Particularly in face of the failure of the conventional housing approaches, coupled with a number of
studies that pointed out the ingenuity and perseverance of squatters to house themselves, providing
sites and services only was touted as a answer to the problems of housing the poor in developing cities.
Many countries in South America, Asia and Africa took up this concept, and with the World Bank
strongly advocating this approach and providing key finance for a number of projects, the idea received
widespread approval.

Sites-and-services schemes have also faced considerable opposition and failure in a number of projects,
primarily due to a series of assumptions and misconceptions on the way in which low-income families
house themselves.

SITES-AND-SERVICES: THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

The key components of a housing scheme are the plot of land, infrastructure (like roads, water supply,
drainage, electricity or a sanitary network), and the house itself. Various inputs that go into them
include finance, building materials/technology, and labour. Thus, the sites-and-services approach
advocated the role of government agencies only in the preparation of land parcels or plots with certain
basic infrastructure, which was to be sold or leased to the intended beneficiaries. The next step of actual
house building was left to the beneficiaries themselves to use their own resources, such as informal
finance or family labour and various other types of community participation modes to build their house.
The beneficiaries could also build the house at their own phase, depending on the availability of
financial and other resources. This adopted the basic principle of the development of a squatter
settlement but without the "squatting" aspect.

TYPOLOGIES IN SITES-AND-SERVICES SCHEMES

Depending on the investment made, resources available, the implementing agency or degree of
organization of the beneficiaries, sites-and-services schemes were activated in a number of differing
ways. This variation was a result of the attempt to strike a balance between minimum "acceptable"
housing conditions and affordability of the beneficiaries. While following the basic rule of a plot of
land (sites) and essential infrastructure (services), the degree of participation and inputs of the
implementing agency on one hand, and the beneficiaries on the other, varied greatly. They ranged from
an empty plot of land and some services (like water, electricity and sanitation connections) to the
provision of a "core" house (consisting of a toilet and kitchen only) on the plot of land with attached
services.

Some of the variations attempted in sites-and-services projects include:

Utility wall: A "utility" wall is built on the plot which contains the connections for water, drainage,
sewerage and electricity. The beneficiaries had to build the house around this wall, and utilize the
connections from it. Some projects provided this utility wall in the form of a sanitary core consisting of
a bathroom/toilet, and/or a kitchen.
Latrine: Due to its critical waste disposal problem, many project provide a basic latrine (bathroom
and/or toilet) in each plot.
Roof frame/ shell house, core house: The roof is the costliest component of a house and requires skilled
labour to build. Therefore, some projects provide the roof structure on posts, and the beneficiaries have
to build the walls according to their requirements. Conversely, a plinth is sometimes built by the
implementing agency, which forms a base over which the beneficiaries can build their house. Other
variations to this are the shell house (which is an incomplete house consisting of a roof and two side
walls, but without front or rear walls) and a core house (consisting of one complete room).

ACTORS AND ACTIONS IN SITES-AND-SERVICES SCHEMES

The two key actors in a sites-and-services project are the intended beneficiaries and the implementing
agency. In most cases, the intended beneficiaries of the project belong to the lower income group of an
urban area - for example, squatters who have been relocated from their original illegal settlement. They
are characterized by low incomes, informal sector jobs or irregular employment and lack the necessary
assets to enable them to afford a "formal" sector house. With basic skills in construction, many are in a
position to build their own house (there are however exceptions to these features - which have resulted
in the failure of many sites-and-services schemes).

The other principle actor in the sites-and-services schemes is the implementing agency. In most cases,
this is a government department or similar body, like the Housing Boards. Operating from goals and
objectives on a city-wide scale and for all income groups, such agencies initiate sites-and-services
schemes both for the provision of housing of low-income families as well as removing "eyesores" that
squatter settlements depict.

The basic division of the stages of implementation between these two principle actors determines the
type of scheme being proposed. Several other actors play essentially supportive roles, including various
government agencies responsible for provision of infrastructure, non-governmental or voluntary
organizations and so on.

SHORTCOMINGS OF THE SITES-AND SERVICES APPROACH

With several assumptions and misconceptions regarding low-income families, sites-and-services

projects have been subject to many shortcomings in its conception, identification of beneficiaries,
implementation and cost recovery. Thus sites-and-services schemes have often been rendered
unaffordable or inaccessible for the lowest-income groups by bureaucratic procedures, institutional
requirements and political problems. Some of the constraints have been:

Location: With high land costs in urban areas, most sites-and-services schemes are location on the
fringe where such costs are not very high. This however causes two problems: one, the large distance
between the site and existing delivery networks, off-site and on-site provision of infrastructure is high
and construction can be delayed. Two, the extra distances that the beneficiaries have to travel (and the
consequent extra costs) to the employment centres would discourage many beneficiaries to take
advantage of such schemes.
Bureaucratic Procedures: Selection procedures, designed to ascertain that applicants meet eligibility
criteria, tend to be cumbersome, time-consuming and full of bureaucratic pitfalls, and provide
opportunities for corruption. Besides, for many low-income families, the eligibility criteria are
impossible to meet due to informal sector jobs or low/irregular incomes.
Delay in provision of Services: Due to a lack of coordination between the various implementation
agencies and a "spread" of responsibility of providing the infrastructure and services, there is
considerable delay in the final provision the services, even after the land has been allocated to the
beneficiaries.
Standards: High standards of construction and building quality is set by the implementing agencies
making such schemes unaffordable to the target beneficiaries. Some sites-and-services schemes, for
example, prohibit income generating activities on residential plots, including rental of rooms: they,
thereby, limit the opportunities of residents to earn an (additional) income to pay for their plot and their
house.
Cost Recovery: Most sites-and-services schemes are plagued by poor cost recovery. One reason is the
high costs that beneficiaries have to bear shortly after moving into the scheme. They have to pay for the
plot as well as construction of the house, while they might be facing loss of income due to the move to
the new scheme. Transport, water and electricity costs add to the burden which they might not have had
before. But some of the main reasons for poor recovery has been delay in provision of services,
inadequate collection methods, lack of sanctions for non-payment and absence of political will to
enforce payment.

FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR SITES-AND-SERVICES SCHEMES

The positive aspect of sites-and-services schemes that deserves support is its recognition of the ability
of people to house themselves, with a little backing from the government agencies. Thus the role of the
government changes from that of a "provider" to an "enabler". It also enables them to save scarce
resources by "sharing" the responsibility of housing with the intended beneficiaries. On the part of the
beneficiaries, it makes best use of existing/potential resources, both at the household level as well as
the community level. On a large scale, it enables the low-income families to obtain decent housing and
services, at levels that can be afforded by them.

While sites-and-services schemes are not a blanket solution for all ills of low-income housing, it does
provide potential for future housing, making best use of existing resources, both governmental and
household. A number of local conditions and circumstances determine the type and scale of the scheme
to be used.

4. Explain in detail design concepts and systems for low income group housing

India has adopted various strategies to directly cater to or facilitate the process of catering to the
housing need of low income and economically weaker sections.

Following is the list of policies /Schemes that have been adopted over time in india.
1.Five year plans
2.Environmental Improvement of Urban slums(EIUS)
3.Urban Land ceiling act
4.National Housing and ahbitat policy 1998
5.Two Million Housing Programme
6.Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY)
7.National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy (NUHHP) 2007
8.Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM)
9.Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY)
10.Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP)

For the last many decades, public sector entities such as State Housing Boards and Development
Authorities were the only suppliers of Affordable Housing stock through projects for EWS and LIG
categories. An encouraging factor though is that in the last five years a set of new private sector
developers and financial institutions have started developing new models for building and financing
Affordable Housing. However from the scale of the problem it is clear from the scale of the housing
shortage, that the public sector and a few private players alone cannot address
the problem and if we are to realistically address this huge challenge we have to make the housing and
housing finance markets work for the poor.

It is within this context that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, set up a Task
Force, for developing transparent qualified criteria and a separate set of guidance for affordable
housing in PPP projects for circulation to states, aimed at developing recommendations to create an
enabling framework for increased private sector participation in Affordable housing

(FOR REST OF THE ANSWER REFER TO PDF)

5. Explain four examples of design approach adopted by HUDCO for slum/squatter
settlement housing in India

UNIT 3
HOUSING STANDARDS

PART-A
1. State the methodology to formulate any one housing standard
Factors considered while formulating Set backs regulations- Density,Type of
Development,Health,Aesthetics ,Environmental factors and Privacy.

2. What are the differences between housing standard and regulation

Standards Regulations
Recommendations Legislation
Use is voluntary Use is mandatory
Established by consensus of all parties concerned Developed by an authority under public
observation
Based on consolidated results of science, Provide technical specifications either directly or
technology and experience by reference
Approved and published by recognised Adopted by an authority
standardisation body

3. What are variable standards

Standards that vary within a town or even within a project,specially to housing for economically
weaker sections are called variable standards

4. What are main categories of land use specified by CMDA

Residential,Commercial,Industrial,Recreational& open space,Institutional,Urbanizable,Non-
urbanizable and Agricultural

5. What is density
Density indicates the concentration of persons living in a certain area of land. It is the measure of
intensity of land use expressed as number of persons/unit of land
 6. Define “Standards”
Standard is a thing that serves as a basis of comparison. Standards are something to be aimed for
desirable models,which when not achieved becomes sub-standard

7. What are the basic utility services provided for Low income group housing
Access roads, water supply and Sanitary facilities

8. Why do you require housing standards

Standards are required as tools to ensure houses and living conditions of a certain quality so as to
ensure the physical,psychological and social needs of human beings are adequately met.

9. What are the major utilities and facilities required in the development of a neighborhood
The major facilities to be provided in addition to structurally safe ,utilitarian and aesthetic spaces are
open /common spaces for social gathering/recreation ,utility services like sanitation,sanitary facilities
and adequate supply of water, proper access like good roads and pathways and electricity.

10. Define performance standard in housing. Give one example

Performance standards are codes that aim at establishing guiding principles and standards of
performance required for a dwelling to be healthy,safe and pleasing environment. Example”All
dwellings should be accessible from footpaths which are usable without danger or discomfort at all
times of the year”

PART-B

1. Describe about the housing scheme for industrial workers

Under the subsidised industrial housing scheme which was formulated in 1952 for providing housing
to industrial workers employed in factories and mines, mainly in the private sector, the Central
Government provides to State Governments, State Housing Boards and municipal bodies 50 per cent of
the cost as loan and 50 per cent as subsidy. Industrial employers and cooperative societies of industrial
workers are given financial assistance to the extent of 75 per cent and 90 per cent respectively, the
extent of subsidy in both cases being 25 per cent. To enable industrial workers to provide the remaining
10 per cent of the cost, they have been allowed to draw non- refundable loans from their provident fund
accounts. By the end of the Second Plan, the construction of about 140,000 tenements costing Rs. 45
crores had been approved. About 100,000 tenements had been completed and the rest were under
different stages of construction.
The scheme should have made greater progress if even the subsidised rate of rent had not proved a
comparatively high charge for workers, with the result that in some areas the tenements which have
been constructed have not been occupied by industrial workers. The question of bringing down the rent
so that it should be within the paying capacity of workers needs further study. Along with it,
arrangements should be made to provide cheap transport for taking workers to their places of work.
Certain aspects of the scheme have been revised already. Workers have a larger measure of choice as
between different types of accommodation. Open developed and demarcated plots of land along with
some building and roofing materials can be taken up by workers, so that they may build huts of the
prescribed pattern themselves. For those who do not wish to go in for 'self-built' huts on open
developed plots, 'skeletal' housing with the necessary foundation, plinth and roof to form a stable
structure is provided. The rent for open developed plots is about Rs. 2 to Rs. 3 per month, whereas for
skeletal housing it is about Rs. 8 per month. For non-family workers hostel or dormitory
accommodation is built. A few other modifications such as extension in the period of repayment of
loan, increase in the ceilings of standard costs to fit in with the rise in prices of building materials and
labour, liberalisation of allotment rules and provision of developed sites to employers and cooperatives
have been introduced. Recently employers have been granted a concession in income-tax in the shape
of an initial depreciation allowance of 20 per cent on the cost of construction of new houses for their
low-paid employees, in addition to exemption for three years from payment of income tax on the rental
value of small houses.
Despite the steps which have been taken to make the industrial housing scheme more attractive to
employers, much progress cannot be achieved without the employers generally accepting the housing
of a substantial portion of workers as an essential obligation. It is necessary to remember that housing
conditions for industrial workers have continued to deteriorate and that without improvements in this
direction efforts to increase industrial efficiency and productivity will also be affected. The problem is,
therefore, one of working out arrangements for new industries as well as for the established industries
which might be feasible from the financial and other aspects and would also result in an effective
contribution towards the solution of the housing problem. For instance, new establishments with a
prescribed limit of paid-up capital (say, Rs. 20 lakhs or more) could be placed tinder the obligation of
constructing one-half of the housing required by their labour over a period of perhaps 10 years. In the
case of the older establishments, in any specific scheme that is worked out the contribution already
made by an employer to provide housing for their workers should be taken into account. In these
industries also, over a period, the aim might be to ensure that about 50 per cent of the housing required
is made available directly by the industries and the rest as part of the general scheme of housing
development. To the extent the employers are unable to construct directly the Government or the
Housing Boards may take up construction. In such cases, the employers could contribute towards the
cost of construction. These and other suggestions should be considered Jointly in consultation with
representatives of employers and workers with a view to evolving a satisfactory scheme.

2. What are standards,explain the various categories of standards

3. Explain the parameters required for physical and social infrastructure facilities of a
neighborhood housing project

4. State the provisions relevant to housing in DCR for any one metropolitan area in India
and critically evaluate them
CMDA has proposed a set of Development control rules for various categories of buildings

In general, , the entire Chennai Metropolitan Area is classified under three categories, namely,
i)Continuous building areas (CBA), ii)Chennai City, Municipal and Town Panchayat area and iii) rest
of CMA. For residential buildings, a fourth category has been introduced which is Economically
Weaker Section areas.

The buildings are grouped under three categories, namely, Ordinary buildings, Special buildings and
Multi-storeyed buildings based on the height or intensity of activity and the regulations proposed have
been dealt separately for each of them.

Ordinary residential Buildings

Ordinary residential / predominantly residential buildings are buildings with floor area not exceeding
300 sq.m. and G+1 floor in height.
Special buildings (SB)
As per the DCR , a residential building with more than six dwelling units will be considered as a SB.
There is no change in the other 2 possibilities, namely, a residential or commercial building with more
than 2 floors and commercial building exceeding a floor area of 300 M2.
Special Buildings are now classified under three distinct categories namely, i) Predominantly
residential SB, ii) Residential buildings with more than six dwelling units up to ground + one floor and
iii) Predominantly commercial SB. The planning parameters for each have been tabulated quite
distinctly.

The minimum required width of road on which the site abuts or gains access is retained as 10 M with
the exception that on a 9M road, building for a residential use up to three storeys (G +2 floors) is
permissible.

This is a major concession which would facilitate increase in density in most residential layouts having
9M road width. A notable inclusion is that if the plot has an extent of more than 1100 M2, (nearly 5
grounds) then Special building of residential use will be permitted on roads having 9 M wide.

The rationale behind this move cannot be appreciated, as this is likely to pave the way for taller
buildings in such areas and alter their character.

It is observed that the requirements for the minimum plot extent, minimum plot frontage and the
maximum permissible height of buildings are the same as that of the ordinary buildings.

The rationale behind adopting the same provisions for the ordinary and special buildings is not
understandable. If the Special buildings are ‘Special’ because of the density or intensity of activity,
should these norms be not different? Is it practical to have a four-storeyed building in a plot of size 90-
100 sqM with the prescribed set backs? Is it possible to have a plot width of 6M and still construct a
special building when the minimum required side set back is 3.5M? Floor space index (FSI)

The FSI for all categories of special buildings in the entire CMA is retained as 1.5. However, the
following structures necessary for the principal use subject to a maximum of 10 % of the total floor
area are to be excluded from the FSI computation:

a) An office room not exceeding 15 sqM for co-operative housing society or association of apartment
owners.

b) Servant’s room bath room and water closet not exceeding 20 sqM at ground floor or stilt floor.

c) Gymnasium of 150 sqM.

d) Areas covered by service areas such as air conditioned plant room, electrical room generator room
etc.,

In addition the area of balcony to an extent of 5% of each dwelling unit area, lift wells in all floors,
staircase and lift rooms in stilt floor and area of one room in ground floor for separate letter boxes are
excluded from FSI calculations. With the concessions offered, the FSI can be close to 1.75 which will
be welcomed by the developers.

For plots in MRTS influence area the FSI has been increased to 2.0 Since MRTS traverses mostly along
the Buckingham Canal, one wonders whether this influence area is capable of meeting the other
infrastructure requirements such as water supply, drainage and sewerage and road network to the
railway stations. However this increase may be a boon as it can be capitalised in bigger plots which are
beyond 100 M from Buckingham Canal as CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) restrictions are likely to
operate for 100M on either side of canal. With 50 % plot coverage, it is possible to achieve FSI of 2.0.

The maximum height of special buildings is stipulated as one and half times the width of abutting road
or 15.25 M which ever is less.

Multistoreyed buildings

Any building that exceeds four dwelling floor is classfied as multi storey building.

Set back spaces

The setback spaces have been defined separately for each type of special buildings. The front setback is
governed by the width of the abutting road as in the case of present rules. In the case of side setbacks,
the present system of relating the side set back to the height of the building has been dispensed with.
For residential buildings with more than 2 floors and commercial building exceeding 300 sqM in CBA
no side back is required. For other areas in CMA the set back required is only 3.5 M. This drastic
revision is likely to reduce the spaces between adjoining buildings thus depriving the residents and the
neighbours of the required light, ventilation and privacy. For residential buildings with more than six
dwelling units up to G+ 1 floor, no side set back is required if they are proposed in CBA. If they are
proposed in other areas in CMA, the set back is dependent on the width of the plot and the same varies
from 1 M to 1.5 M only. It is seen that they are no different from the ordinary buildings.

The rear set back is longer related to the depth of the property and in the case of residential special
buildings in CBA no rear setback is required and for other areas in CMA a minimum of 1.5 M as in the
case of ordinary buildings alone is sufficient. As per the present DCR, for apartment buildings, the rear
setback varies from 1.5 M to 4.5 M depending on the depth of the plot.

The rationale behind reducing the rear setback to a uniform 1.5 M is not understandable, particularly
with cantilevered balconies of 1.2 M width being permitted in all setbacks including the rear set back.
The light, ventilation, privacy and security would be drastically affected and the fire safety in apartment
buildings would become a question mark. Even though this move may be welcomed by developers or
owners of small plots, CMDA must review this provision in the larger interest of urban development.
For commercial special building the rear setback has been stipulated as 3.5 M.

It is to be noted that except for the staircases and lumber rooms etc., which are permitted in the rear set
back in the ordinary buildings, all other provisions are the same for ordinary building and special
buildings of residential use.

5. Describe the methodology of developing standards for Health facilities,educational

facilities,recreational facilities and infrastructural facilities

UNIT 4
HOUSING DESIGN
PART-A

1. Sketch the plan of a typical kerala house

2. Sketch row housing patterns

3. Sketch a typical cluster housing pattern

 4. What is incremental Housing
Housing built by a slow step-by-step process whereby building components are added or altered by
owner-builders as money, time, or materials become available.

5. State the advantages of cluster development

The benefits of cluster development as opposed to a convention subdivision include: more preserved
land for open/recreational space, a better setting for community building, possible local agriculture
production, and an optimal arrangement in storm water management; furthermore cluster development
makes more ecological and economical sense.

6. What is a high rise building according to CMDA norms

A multi sotreyed ,High rise building means buildings exceeding 4 floors and or 15.25 meters in
height. [However in cases of hospitals, buildings not exceeding 4 floors and or 17metres in height will
be construed as non multi-storeyed buildings.)

7. What is the minimum set back and road width required to put up a high rise building
according to CMDA
Minimum road width:18m Minimum set back :7 m

8. State advantages and disadvantages of high rise housing In India

Advantages : Unobstructed view,ventilation and lighting as one goes higher, Lesser ground coverage
presents a possibility of more open space at the ground,They are busier and allow for more social
interaction than a low rise building. Higher density of people can be accommodated thereby optimizing
the potential of a land
Disadvantages: Larger investments with respect to technology and services,High cost of
construction,more energy required for functioning.

9. What is settlement pattern

Settlement pattern refers to the distribution of buildings and houses in a certain area. The fabric of
human settlements consists of physical elements and services to which these elements provide the
material support. The physical components comprise shelter, i.e. the superstructures of different shape,
size, type and materials erected by mankind for security, privacy, and protection from the elements and
for his singularity within a community; infrastructure, i.e. the complex networks designed to deliver or
remove from the shelter people, goods, energy of information. Services cover those required by a
community for the fulfillment of its functions as a social body, such as education, health, culture,
welfare, recreation and nutrition.”

10. Define group development according to CMDA and give the minimum plot extent
required for group development for EWS housing
Group Development – means accommodation for residential or commercial or combination of such
activities housed in two or more blocks of buildings in a particular site irrespective of whether these
structures are interconnected or not. Minimum plot extent required for group development in chennai is
300 sq.m

PART-B

1. What are the design considerations that are necessary for providing housing in a hilly
region

2. Write in general about the urban growth and settlements patterns prevailing in India

The form of settlement in any particular region reflects man’s relationship with his environment. The
various types of settlements have evolved over a long period of time. The development and growth of
settlement also depends upon the religious and social customs of the society. The buildings used for
various religious and social purposes, give the settlements their distinctiveness.

The settlements are generally divided into two types-urban and rural or towns and villages. The urban
settlements are differentiated from the rural settlements on the basis of certain characteristics, such as
the size and density of population, economic basis, administrative basis, and the number and quality of
public utility services.

Every urban or rural centre has its own form and it is the product of its site and surroundings. The
haphazard growth gives the settlement an irregular shape. The urban settlements are mostly classified
on the basis of their functions. Some of them are:

The village, as a form of settlement, is closely related with the agricultural activities. The rural
settlements are of two types compact and scattered. In the compact settlement, the houses are closely
spaced and the streets are narrow. Such settlements develop mostly in the river valleys and fertile
plains.

The scattered settlements are formed by one or two dwelling units. These are spread over great
distances and are knitted by a common bond. Such settlements are found in the hills, plateau and
highlands.

The settlement can also be classified according to the shapes or patterns. There are five broad types or
patterns of settlements.
1. The Compact or Nucleated Settlements:
In such settlements, houses are built close to each other. They generally develop close to a railway
station, a well, a quarry or an industrial site.
2. The Scattered or Dispersed Settlements:

In such settlements, houses or the individual farmhouses are isolated or scattered and are located away
from each other. They develop mostly in the plateau, forested or hilly areas.
3. The Linear or Ribboned Settlements:

Such settlements generally develop along either sides of roads, railways, rivers or canals. The flood
plains in hilly areas mostly have linear settlements.
4. The Rectangular Settlements:

The patterns of such settlements are determined by the nature of junction of two or more routes. When
they cross each other at right angles, the dwellings are built along the routes in all directions, thus
forming rectangular settlements.
5. The Radial or Star-shaped Settlements:

Such settlements are common in towns and villages, where the dwellings spread out in several
directions from a central point, which is either around a big water body or where many routes join
together.

In India large cities long have been growing at faster rates than small cities and towns. The major
metropolitan agglomerations have the fastest rates of all, even where, there is a high degree of
congestion within the central city. Major contributors to urban growth are the burgeoning of the
bureaucracy, the increasing commercialization of the agricultural economy, and the spread of factory
industry and services.

In many cities dating from the precolonial period, such as Delhi and Agra, the urban core is an
exceedingly congested area within an old city wall, portions of which may still stand. In these “old
cities” residential segregation by religion and caste and the layout of streets and open places are, except
for scale, not greatly dissimilar from what was described above for shapeless agglomerated villages. In
contrast to many Western cities, affluent families commonly occupy houses in the heart of the most
congested urban wards. Specialized bazaar streets selling sweets, grain, cloth, metalware, jewelry,
books and stationery, and other commodities are characteristic of the old city. In such streets it is
common for a single building to be at once a workshop, a retail outlet for what the workshop produces,
and the residence for the artisan’s family and employees.

Moderately old, highly congested urban cores also characterize many cities that grew up in the wake of
British occupation. Of these, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai are the most notable examples. In such
cases, however, there are usually a few broad major thoroughfares, some degree of regularity to the
street pattern, space reserved for parks, and a central business district, including old government
offices, high-rise commercial office buildings, banks, elite shopping establishments, restaurants, hotels,
museums, a few churches, and other reminders of the former colonial presence.

Associated with a great many cities are special sections created originally for the needs of the British:
largely residential areas known as civil lines, where the families of resident European administrators
occupied spacious bungalows, with adjoining outbuildings for their servants, nearby shopping facilities,
and a gymkhana (a combined sports and social club); cantonments, where military personnel of all
ranks were quartered, together with adjacent parade grounds, polo fields, and firing ranges; and
industrial zones, including not only the modern mills but also the adjacent “factory lines,” reminiscent
of 19th-century company housing in Britain.
In the postindependence period, with the acceleration of urban growth and the consequent need for
urban planning, new forms arose. The millions of refugees from Pakistan, for example, led to the
establishment of many “model” (i.e., planned) towns on the edges of the existing cities. The subsequent
steady influx of job seekers, together with the natural growth of the already settled population, gave
rise to many planned residential areas, typically called “colonies,” usually consisting of four- or five-
story apartment blocks, a small shopping centre, schools, and playgrounds and other recreational
spaces. In general, commuting from colonies to jobs in the inner city is by either bus or bicycle.

For poorer immigrants, residence in these urban colonies was not an option. Some could afford to move
into slum flats, often sharing space with earlier immigrants from their native villages. Others, however,
had no recourse but to find shelter in bastis (shantytowns), clusters of anywhere from a few to many
hundreds of makeshift dwellings, which are commonly found along the edges of railroad yards and
parks, outside the walls of factories, along the banks of rivers, and wherever else the urban authorities
might tolerate their presence. Finally, there are the street dwellers, mainly single men in search of
temporary employment, who lack even the meagre shelter that the bastis afford.

A special type of urban place to which British rule gave rise were the hill stations, such as Shimla
(Simla) and Darjiling (Darjeeling). These were erected at elevations high enough to provide cool
retreats for the dependents of Europeans stationed in India and, in the summer months, to serve as
seasonal capitals of the central or provincial governments. Hotels, guest houses, boarding schools,
clubs, and other recreational facilities characterize these settlements. Since independence, affluent
Indians have come to depend on the hill stations no less than did the British.

3. Illustrate with sketches and explain in detail row and cluster housing
Homes can either be stand alone or cluster units. Stand alone refers to individual houses while cluster
units refer to individual homes that share walls. It is important to consider and analyze the advantages
and disadvantages of these building styles before moving forward with preliminary designs.

Row housing refers to housing units that share walls and conserve space through a horizontal focus.
There are four main styles of row housing units. These styles are illustrated in the illustration below.
Solid lines represent shared walls, while dashed lines show walls that are unshared.

The most common row housing style is simple row units. In simple row units, each unit shares two side
walls with a neighbour while the front and back walls are open to the street or yard. A simple row unit
conserves space without significantly hindering ventilation. Each unit still has at least two walls open
for windows.
In back-to-back row housing, not only do the units share side walls, but they also share back walls.
Often back-to-back style units will utilize the entire lot between two roads. Although back-to-back style
units create even more free space, the disadvantages of privacy, light, and ventilation are also
heightened. Quarter detached units are most commonly used as the end units of a simple row. Similarly,
semi detached units are often used as the end units of a back-to-back row
The illustration below shows the footprint of a crescent row housing design. The curved geometry of
the structure creates a sheltered court yard in the middle. In this design, the building geometry is used
to maximize exposure and visibility of the courtyard. It is important to use building shape and
orientation to promote a cohesive community. By using design to create courtyards and safe common
areas.

Although the design above promotes a safe courtyard, there are a few drawbacks that make this option
not viable. The most notable downfall is the spatial footprint. On average, circular shaped layouts
conserve less free space than rectangular layouts. For this reason, row housing units are typically laid
out in a rectangular in shape. Furthermore, rectangular buildings are cheaper and easier to build.
Although the circular design would be difficult to implement, the concept and theory demonstrated are
still important considerations. One can use the orientation of multiple rectangular row units to achieve a
similar result.

Although cluster units are the more beneficial option, the disadvantages cannot be overlooked. A
driving factor of whether or not cluster units are a viable option is the assumption that community
members are willing to give up some privacy

Whereas row housing conserves space horizontally, high rise buildings conserve free space in a vertical
fashion. In a high rise building, family units are built one on top of each other. The amount of free
space conserved in a high rise building is directly proportional to the number of units that are stacked
on top of each other. Therefore, a three story, three family building will save three times as much space
as if there were three individual houses Despite the obvious benefit of free space, high rise buildings
are not a practical choice for social housing.

Combining high rise buildings and row housing is often referred to as stacked terrace housing. In
stacked terrace housing, families live above one another, as well as beside each other. Although stacked
terraced housing saves the most amount of space,. Although high rise buildings are not a practical
choice, one cannot overlook single family, multi-story housing. By adding a second floor onto a single
family unit, families can double their house size while keeping the same footprint.

4. What are the various provisions given in CMA for high rise housing development

5. Explain with illustration traditional housing patterns of four different regions in India

UNIT 5
HOUSING PROCESS
PART A
1. What is a house as defined by National Building Organization (NBO)
A house is a pucca or semi pucca unit of dwelling that can accommodate an average household.
 2. What is meant by community participation in Housing development
Community participation consists of a public participatory and usually interactive form of town or
neighborhood planning and design in which diverse community members (often termed
“stakeholders”) contribute toward formulation of the goals, objectives, planning, fund/resource
identification and direction, planned project implementations and reevaluation of documented local
planning policy.

3. Explain how a community can participate in developing their own housing scheme
Residents and other stakeholders can learn about their neighborhood, envision a shared future, and
develop strategies to shape it for the better and sustain it for the long term,while working with planners
and decision makers. The process results in a plan that encourages and directs future social and
economic investments toward the development of a healthy neighborhood.

4. What are the different stages in development of a housing project

The different stages are (I) Indentifying land and purchase of land (ii) Identify source for funding (iii)
Plan for a new house (iv) Statutory approvals and (v) Construction

5. What are the programmes for which HUDCO provides loans

The various projects being funded by HUDCO under Housing include the following:-

• Land Acquisition and Development

• Urban/Rural Housing for EWS/ LIG/MIG/ HIG and Other Categories
• Staff Rental Housing
• Slum rehabilitation/ in-situ development
• Repairs and Renewal
• Public sector /Private sector Housing Projects
• Co-operative Housing Societies both Apex and Primary

6. Mention three schemes developed by HUDCO to assist housing development for

Economically weaker sections
HUDCO regular plus-periodic income scheme
HUDCO multiplier plus -cumulative income scheme
HUDCO cash certificate scheme

7. Explain-Disaster management housing

Disaster management in housing refers to (I) Building shelter for people affected by disasters (ii)
Ensuring disaster resilient construction of buildings and infrastructure facilites

8. Sketch details of two innovative construction technology methods adopted in Housing for
low income group.
 9. What is urban land ceiling act
Urban land ceiling act was passed in 1975 ,to provide for the imposition of a ceiling on vacant land in
urban agglomerations, for the acquisition of such land in excess of the ceiling limit, to regulate the
construction of buildings on such land and for matters connected therewith, with a view to preventing
the concentration of urban land in the hands of a few persons and speculation and profiteering therein
and with a view to bringing about an equitable distribution of land in urban agglomerations to subserve
the common good

10. What are the environmental factors that influence housing design
The topographic and climatic features of an area
Biological diversity of the area
Proximity to environmentally sensitive areas
Presence of Polluting industries

PART B

1. Describe any three environmental issues and explain how do you take care of them in
Housing layout
2. What is methodology followed implementing a mass housing scheme explaining clearly the
various stages

3. Describe the role of HUDCO and National Housing bank in housing sector

4. Explain in detail 2 low cost construction techniques used to construct the following (I)
Wall (ii) Roof (III) Foundation

5. Explain in detail Housing management