THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, February 29,
2012
Updated: February 29, 2012 20:42 IST
Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD)
and Laurie Baker Centre (LBC) is jointly organising a one day seminar on `Wholesome
Development of Karimadom Colony’ to commemorate the visionary architect Laurie
Baker’s birth anniversary on March 2.
The seminar, to be held at the colony, will discuss in detail the
ongoing slum improvement project at Karimadom colony as well as the baseline
survey conducted by Costford to study the socio-economic-environment conditions
in the colony.
Costford is currently implementing a Rs 16 crore housing project
at Karimadom as part of city Corporation’s Centrally funded Basic Services for
Urban Poor scheme. The project includes construction of a total of 560 flats in
28 blocks spread across an area of 9.73 acres. The project also includes
construction of community halls, study centres, markets, kiosks, biogas plant,
public taps and walkways.
Construction of 120 flats has been completed under the project of
which 80 have already been occupied.
Apart from infrastructure development Costford is also launching
a host of social intervention and community development initiatives in the
colony, in tune with Baker’s vision of wholesome community development, said
Costford joint director P.B. Sajan.
``The Karimadom Colony project was envisaged by Laurie Baker long
before the current BSUP project got underway. In fact it the last project that
he personally involved in until a few days before his death. He always
emphasized on the need for participatory planning to ensure economic
development of community along with infrastructure development. The baseline
survey we carried out in the colony was a step towards this,’’ Mr Sajan said The survey brought out a number of insightful findings about the
social, economic and living conditions of the colony residents. The survey
revealed of 2341 people living in the colony 89% did not have a permanent
source of income and that majority of the population dependent on daily wages. The survey also revealed the dilapidated state of existing infrastructure
facilities in Karimadom colony.
The BSUP project at the colony includes improving basic
infrastructure facilities and also providing scope for community activities.
The layout is such that it creates several interactive community spaces along
with a large centralized open space. Tree planting and playgrounds have been
designed to facilitate community gathering, a statement issued by Costford
said With 23% of colony population comprising of students, the project
also provides ample scope for upliftment of the student community. This
includes construction of health centre, anganwadi’s and study centres.
Kudumbasree executive director Sarada Muraleedharan will speak on
the socio-economic component of Karimadom Plan at the seminar to be inaugurated
by mayor K. Chandrika. Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai, L.
Radhakrishnan will present a paper on `Energy efficient buildings’. Costford
director T.R. Chandra Dutt will speak on Lauri Baker’s vision for slum
improvement. Costford and LBC chairman K.P. Kannan, cultural activist Geetha
Naryanan, deputy mayor G. Happykumar, Manacaud ward councillor P. Sasikumaran
Nair, survey consultant Sajith Sukumaran and LBC member C. Kala will also
speak.
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