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Community Integration (Non-Formal Settlement Upgrading
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Fig. Floor Plan Settlement Redevelopment
Fig. Community Courtyard
The economic development and investment that the city is attracting as a consequence of this ambitious project are not worth it if there are not clear frameworks and decision-making will towards developing a socially responsible scheme. Chennai has faced in the past an intricate situation in terms of providing appropriate housing solutions capable to meet the needs of its poorer citizens, Chennai’s slum population amounts to a total of 1,079,414 persons representing a significant part of the whole population, i.e, 26 % (Chandramouli, 2003). As a consequence, several informal settlements have encroached empty lands across the city, developing neighborhoods and communities with profound ties and livelihoods, but in most of the cases with lack of security of tenure, poor physical infrastructure, and unhealthy sewage connections. This is a phenomenon that is expected to continue at a faster pace in the future if not addressed in an appropriate fashion.
As the eviction and relocation approach has proved to be inefficient and unpopular, this must be only the case when existing a great risk of a disaster, making non-viable the permanent occupation of the land. In addition to this, it is imperative to develop programs based on providing security of tenure, infrastructure improvements, and public service connection. This shall be done with close cooperation between actors, and the communities hold a crucial stake in the process. Likewise, the UN Sustainable Development Goals set the blueprint for comprehensive strategies that recognize urgent issues nowadays, in that sense the settlement redevelopment project will take into account the following goals as core endeavors: 1. No poverty; 6. Clean water and sanitation; 7. Affordable and clean energy; 11. Sustainable cities and communities.
The pilot project will be carried out in Padmavathy Nagar district, located next to the Nesavalar Nagar Lake in the Southwest side of the Marshland. The intervention contemplates the creation of mix-use blocks of middle height density with central courtyards that foster the social interaction within dwellers. Likewise, the influence of the high-tech campus will have a crucial role in the development of these future settlements, as experiences in similar contexts around the world have demonstrated, the private industry and entrepreneurship can work closely with communities. In this sense, small-scale companies are expected to percolate the urban fabric,
contributing to the development of early warning alarm systems in case of emergencies and at the same time allowing the entrance to the market to the local workforce.
In addition, these urban blocks will
promote the coexistence of different income groups, recognizing the complex nature of the settlements, characterized by encompassing a wide array of ways of life and economic realities. Following this logic, the project contemplates the possibility of incremental growth within the typologies, offering flexibility that relies on the particular economic possibilities of each household.
The communal life signifies a lot for the daily life of these communities and the proper recognition of this feature is fundamental, the project respects this inner dynamics and provides spaces of exchange on the service of the local residents, e.g., Community centers where the main discussions can be held; Communal kitchens; and shelters in case of disaster.
The clean water and sanitation strategy is underpinned in the proper management of run-off water. To do so, the project considers different roof types depending on the function and the economic affordability of the dwellers. Accordingly, flat roofs will incorporate rainwater harvesting systems or green technology intended to retain water in the monsoon season and thermal comfort regulation in summer. Angled tiled roofs will be used for rainwater collection in the water basin allocated inside the central courtyard that then will be used for domestic
purposes.
Fig. Settlement Redevelopment Fig. Section Car Industry Building
