A discussion of ward councillors convened on Tuesday at the Corporation office decided to submit the draft master plan for the approval of the council and on approval for the government to publish. After publishing the master plan, suggestions received will be finalised at a seminar on development. It also decided to make available a copy of the master plan to the councillors.
During the discussion, Mayor K Chandrika said that while preparing the master plan, zones have to be divided on the basis of survey number. In the draft master plan, four distinct zones were suggested - city core, central city, outer city and city periphery. She also suggested that a clear connection needs to be maintained between the survey number and zones.
According to the draft master plan, government and semi-government establishments and commerce will comprise city core. Central city is largely a continuation of this set-up, which will lay emphasis on residential areas, including apartments in addition. The last two categories comprising the agricultural suburbs will be preserved as such.
The Mayor pointed out that inclusion of residential areas while deciding the business zones will later pose hindrance in issuing permits for constructing houses. The councillors raised doubts regarding the criteria in deciding the green zone mentioned in the draft master plan. There were also suggestions on the nature of spatial planning, its connection in deciding road network and connecting roads from the heart of the city to surrounding places.
The draft master plan was released by Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali in November.
In the discussion, regional town planner Ajaya Kumar and town planner Baiju K spoke, presenting the master plan. Deputy Mayor G Happykumar, chairmen of the standing committees V S Padmakumar, S Pushpalatha, Palayam Rajan, Shajitha Nazar, Vanaja Rajendrababu, P Shyamkumar and K S Sheela were also present.