News & Notes 609:L’avenir d’Auroville / Town Development Council (TDC)
Entity::L’avenir d’Auroville / Town Development Council (TDC) July 2015 report
Reminder: This report is a synopsis of key topics discussed in regular meetings. It does not include any communication that has been published in the News & Notes or on the Auronet webpage of L’avenir d’Auroville / Town Development Council (TDC), such as community announcements, financial reports and site or building permissions.
Regular members: Cristo (Regional Development), Jacqueline (Urban Design) TOS, Manohar (WC eepresentative) present one meeting a week, Sauro (Overall Coordination and Facilitation), and Toby (Township Development) TOS for the last week. Punctual attendees: David (Green Group (GG)), Fabian (GG), Fritz (Farm Group (FG)), Jeff (FG), Kumar (FG), Iyanar (FG), Paul-Vincent, Priya (GG) and Ramalingam (FG)
TDC-RELATED TOPICS
A/ Site and Building Applications Approximately 20 site and building applications were studied in July, whether for feedback, discussion, follow-up, etc.
FINANCIAL TOPICS
nothing new this month
HOUSING TOPICS
Housing for Aurovilians
Several housing projects will be occupied only on a provisional basis (Maitreye II for example). There are however many Aurovilians who are in need of housing. The TDC feels that they should also be considered for these projects alongside the Newcomers to try and find a permanent solution for them. The FAMC and Housing Board were contacted for their comments/feedback on this issue.
Detailed Development Plan (DDP)
A meeting with architects and community members having provided feedback was held to discuss the DDP. A dedicated site was created in collaboration with the RAS and announced on the Auronet and in the N&N. The feedback period will last until end of August, at which point Dr. Doshi shall study it, and then the TDC will answer all feedback.
All relevant documents were taken into account, such as the Master Plan 2001, various studies by Roger Anger and recent studies by Gilles Boulicot and Suhasini.
The DDP is an urban design; the models and drawings do not represent or define the architecture, sky-line or character and identity of the clusters.
Summary of concerns/questions raised:
- Projects in the pipelines: Current projects shall be developed further and keep their identity etc.
- Participatory process: Existing and future developments will be brought together through communication (between the planning team, architects and the community), meetings and participatory processes.
- Integration of ground realities and people’s needs: Surveys have been conducted over the past years to know the base on which all studies can grow. The feedback period is precisely meant to gain consciousness on actual needs. When all feedback and comments have been collected, this additional information may be used and included in the DDP to improve it.
- Environmental-related issues: Regarding biodiversity, biomass, soil conservation and percolation, the DDP specifies each aspect by area (such as green spaces and corridors).
- To successfully strive for our ideal, it is necessary to acquire all lands and generate enough funds.
- It was also suggested to include green elements in the buildings.
- Galaxy and Mother’s guidelines: The DDP was studied in such a way as to reduce mobility (service roads vs. roads for internal mobility) and the lines of force respect height guidelines.
- Validity of the NTDA with regard to non-AV lands: If a DDP of the entire Master Plan area were submitted and approved, it would limit encroachments. Furthermore, the GB is working on getting permission to sell outside land in order to acquire missing land in the city area.
- Future unknown developments: As the future may create new needs, several reserved spots are needed for community or area-related needs. These amenities need to be defined through participatory processes and community input.
- Deepening the study: It was agreed by all present that the DDP is not detailed enough: feedback, participatory processes, and surveys will be updated, and Asia Urbs will be better integrated. Once all agreements have been reached, details included, etc., and these modifications made official, the architects and consultants will have a development plan on which to start working.
- Evolution (funds, population, amenities, developments, land ownership): These changing aspects need to be defined over time for review. To that effect, a 3-year timeline was proposed. Furthermore, various other studies such as a mobility plan will also be added.
- Studies for other zones: Due to lack of funds and participation, studies of other zones have not happened as fast as desired.
The participatory aspect of this project was highlighted several times; therefore comments and feedback are highly encouraged, desired and welcome.
LAND-RELATED TOPICS
Auroannam
The TDC was contacted regarding any (current or future) developments in Auroannam. This land is earmarked for exchange so there will be no development in this area, i.e. no plans are being made within the TDC and no Site or Building Applications are being processed.
Postman land survey
Following a survey conducted near Surrender, it was determined that pipelines can follow the road, and the fence of several communities (Invocation and Surrender) will need to be shifted so as to protect the land from any encroachment.
Moonlight Farm – land allocation
Confusion arose due to a change in plot numbers: a piece of land was previously under Water Harvest and leased to the village under the old plot number in 2007; it was also allocated to Moonlight Farm under the current plot number. (Double allocation) This land would be used by the village for waste segregation, not as a landfill site. Furthermore, only 50 cents of land are required for this project which would be made available for a limited amount of time on a “Permission to use” basis. If the project fails, it closes and the land is returned to Kumar.
Under-utilized AV lands
Following up on the June report, a map of lands vulnerable to encroachment is currently being prepared, as well as a report and plan proposal.
Land stewardship
The FAMC sent the TDC an email regarding 2 “stewardless” pieces of land. A meeting was then organized with the Green Group and this is what came out:
- Land in Irumbai: The Farm Group will apply for this land by Windarra which is currently under the Land Board (LB).
- Land by Buddha Garden: The stewardship of this land will either go to Buddha Garden or to Siddhartha Farm (under Matrimandir).
ROADS
Verite radial feedback
All the feedback is being analyzed and a response will be prepared. Most concerns revolve around the fence, mobility, and parking for buses.
Avenue trees
It is premature to plant trees until a road plan is ready because it reduces flexibility. The road plan should include the right of way and tree plantation.
Solar Kitchen (SK) crossing
A clear design and estimates will be prepared for 2 options: a) roundabout or b) alignment of the existing road.
Road plan
3 roads are currently being studied regarding their development:
- N-W access (Industrial Zone): Verite radial, Mangalam radial and road up to Celebration
- S-E access: Vikas radial, Ring road and SK radial (the connection to the tar road must be studied)
- International Zone loop road: proposal and alignments are being studied and discussed
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Kottakarai (KK) peace talks
To proceed with the agreement between KK and Auroville, feedback from the International Zone (IZ) and Bharat Nivas teams is needed.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) project
The TDC is in the last leg of setting up a plan for regional SWM involving the local panchayat, the SWM groups in Auroville, the TDC and local administrations. We have received a letter from the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in Villupuram requesting the TDC’s good offices in making the plan a success. A working group is in place and anyone with knowledge in SWM is welcome to contribute their energy to this project.
Water For All
The TDC is involved, along with PondyCAN and other organizations, in the preparation of a plan called Water For All. The goal is to gather information on various aspects of water management in an area with a 40-km radius around Pondy and Auroville. This project is ongoing.
Green Belt Land Use Plan
The draft of this document is ready. It is currently under review and will be circulated to the concerned groups for comments. Once completed, the document will be published for community perusal.
Fundraising
The TDC has organized a fundraiser for the completion of the Community Hall in Edayanchavadi. Details have been posted in N&N no. 608 (date: August 1st 2015) as well as on Auronet (article: [[1]]).
GROUPS, ZONES, SERVICES
nothing new this month
OTHER TOPICS
Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)
More communication is necessary and the approval process needs to be modified for a more effective implementation: an information GM with Residential Zone sectors 1 and 2 will be organized in August to speak about the Detailed Development Plan (DDP) and the WWTP. If overall consensus is not reached when everyone is informed, then a decision event may be considered.
Pony Farm (PF)
Developments There have been developments around PF: the only problem for building the road would be the fence. The Housing Service is checking who moves in to PF as it is a temporary housing solution only.
Auroville Earth Institute (AVEI)
Soil tests Soil tests are being conducted in AVEI for a Project Coordination Group (PCG) project. These samples originate from 4 peramboke lands around Irumbai.
Post-retreat / Way Forward 2018
Collaboration is happening between the TDC and 3 GG representatives to consolidate the Master Plan (MP) with ground realities. The 5 goals regarding Land (1) and (2) Town Planning were discussed:
1. Land planning:
- a) Protection of the Green Belt
- b) Land purchase prioritization
- c) Land utilization improvement
2. Town Planning
- a) Connection between the Galaxy and ground realities
- b) Sustainability framework
It was pointed out that the Galaxy only depicts several adjustable landmarks such as the Lines of Force, roads (Ring, Crown and 8 radials) and lake (3 proposals formulated by Michael, Gilles B. and Gilles G.). Furthermore, many additional documents have been taken into account, such as the Master Plan (MP), the sensitivity analysis (land use) by Suhasini, the water preservation study by Gilles Boulicot, the Detailed Development Plan (DDP) and the electricity MP. It was suggested to invite all stewards to discuss the green areas that may be affected by future developments and request them to bring their individual maps with details on forest and developments. Another suggestion was to prepare a clear and simple graphic representation with different layers (ex: buildings, roads, etc.) like the DDP. This will allow for detailed information on the value of green spaces, right of way, etc.
~ TDC