Have you given your feedback on the CDP?

Hot and cold reactions for BDA’s master plan

Deccan Herald


The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA)’s Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for 2015 came in for a mixed response at a forum initiated to generate feedback on the plan on Thursday. Organised by Janaagraha as part of a series of discussions on the plan, Thursday’s session saw two groups – Industry and Environmentalists and Heritage Conservationists — deliberating on the vision and feasibility in the concept and implementation of the CDP. The discussions were held on the sidelines of an exhibition of BDA’s Draft Master Plan - 2015 at Yavanika on Nrupatunga Road.

While some of the participants felt that the green belt had not been defined in the plan, there were also questions on the logic behind confining urban environment to the peripheries of the green belt.

“When the CDP report itself admits that the southern parts of the city are witnessing fast development, it’s only natural that employees prefer homes close to their workplaces. However, all areas under this industrial hub has been classified as a green belt,” said Dr N Venugopala Reddy, one of the participants.


Pitfalls

Legitimising the CDP which by and large de-contextualises the common man’s role in the planning process also came to discussion. The non-involvement of the traffic department in the planning was also cited as a pitfall.

“The plan looks inadequate and too techno-centric. Ideally, at the micro-level, residents’ welfare associations should have a bigger say in the city’s planning process,” said Jagannath, another participant.

Most of the participants felt that though fora for feedback are welcome, the actual change could only be facilitated by people’s representatives at the implementation level. However, Janaagraha had a different take on the suggestion.

“Our idea is to give space for the citizens to converge and come up with ideas to better their city. Janaagraha’s role here is to facilitate a consolidated feedback report on the CDP to the BDA,” said Swati Ramanathan, co-founder, Janaagraha. The industry group voiced apprehensions about the power sector while discussing on the plan.

TIME TO SAY WHAT YOU THINK

As the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is all set to furnish the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for the city, Janaagraha has initiated a coordinated feedback for the CDP revision 2005. A wide representation from society, including businessmen, environmentalists, heritage conservationists, urban poor and planners in the Bangalore district are expected to discuss the CDP revision plans.

The blue print for the workshops was prepared after deliberations with the Urban Development Department, BDA and group representatives. After the workshops, feedback from each group will be integrated into a consolidated CDP feedback report, to be later presented to the government for discussion and action. The groups formed for the workshops are: Industry, Architects and Planners, Urban Poor, Environmentalists, Heritage Conservationists, Developers, District Gram Panchayats, Transportation and Citizens and RWAs. The workshops and discussions with the urban poor and transportation groups will be held on August 5 while the citizens and RWAs will discuss the revision plans on August 6 at 4 pm at Yavanika on Nrupatunga Road. Persons/institutions interested in participating can call Janaagraha at 23542381/2.