Benefits of Urban Renewal

 

  • Drives urban productivity E.g.: Creating mixed use development projects in CBD – Creating regional hubs just outside of city limits to reduce residential and commercial pressure on inner city area. 
  • Creates employment opportunities
  • Attracts increased investments – Intensifying use of land – Densification of area can create new market for business 
  • Enhance housing affordability – Brings key workers closer proximity to employment opportunities 
  • Capitalize on existing infrastructure – Improvement of existing infrastructure saves cost of new expensive infrastructure 
  • Increases tourism revenue – Improved infrastructure and services

Benefits for the Community

  • Creates new local jobs – temporary and permanent and keeps earnings local. 
  • Establishes an environment that fosters growth in new businesses. 
  • Promotes the introduction of new housing products, and offers resources for reinvestment in established neighborhoods. 
  • Eliminates hazards and conditions that undermine the integrity and safety of the community. 
  • Stems the decline of property values and correspondingly the revenues of the municipality and other taxing entities. 
  • Provides upgraded and needed infrastructure for future growth. 
  • Supports local historic preservation efforts.

Benefits for the Local Government 

  • Increases tax revenues from new businesses, consumer purchases and property taxes. 
  • Keeps sales tax dollars local for use within the urban renewal area or community at large.
  • Only method of financing capital improvements that does not require an increase in taxes. 
  • Contains costs associated with the provision of government services by using existing infrastructure in a more fiscally responsible way. 
  • Encourages in fill rather than fringe development, resulting in a more efficient use of land and lower municipal capital costs. 
  • More effectively leverages transit improvements, correspondingly lowers regional infrastructure cost. 
  • Identifies capital improvements needed to stabilize existing areas and encourage reinvestment. 
  • Makes development within municipalities more cost effective than sprawl development outside. 

Why Urban Renewal is Necessary

 Local policies and strategies designed to deal with urban decline, decay or transformation are termed as urban renewal. It is a comprehensive and integrated vision and action which leads to the resolution of urban problems and which seeks to bring about a lasting improvement in the economic, physical, social and environmental conditions of an area that has been subject to change. With the decision and authority of a governing municipality, rearranging land use, function and ownership features of a socially, economically or structurally decayed part of a certain city such as slum zones or brown fields, for the purpose of obtaining a desired, well organized neighbourhood. 


Urban renewal or urban regeneration is a process of land redevelopment in areas of prior, moderately to high, dense urban land use. It has a mammoth impact on the urban panorama and morphology of different cities. On the other side, the urban redevelopment process is envisioned as a way to redevelop or rebuilt urban zones and it also incorporates sewerage treatment and disposal, solid waste management, building and maintenance of roads, streets and flyovers, creation of parks and open spaces, street lighting along with street cleanliness, conservation and remodeling of heritage sites, water purification and supply etc. all of which ultimately lead to a healthy renewal project in urban areas. So renewal is an all-round process that encompasses mainly redevelopment and also some other specific planning strategies within its spectrum.Urban renewal refers to a set of plans and activities to upgrade neighborhoods and suburbs that are in state of distress or decay. Urban renewal programs address the physical aspects of urban decay. Urban problems such as deteriorating housing, poor physical infrastructure (including water and sanitation services) and poor community services such as sports and recreational amenities are addressed through such programs. Urban renewal (also called urban regeneration in the United Kingdom and urban redevelopment in the United States ) is a program of land redevelopment often used to address urban decay in cities. Urban renewal is the clearing out of blighted areas in inner cities to clear out slums and create opportunities for higher class housing, businesses and more. A primary purpose of urban renewal is to restore economic viability to a given area by attracting external private and public investment and by encouraging business startups and survival.

Modern attempts at renewal began in the late 19th century in developed nations, and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s under the rubric of reconstruction. The process has had a major impact on many urban landscapes and has played an important role in the history and demographics of cities around the world. Urban renewal is a process where privately owned properties within a designated renewal area are purchased or taken by eminent domain by a municipal redevelopment authority, razed and then reconveyed to selected developers who devote them to other uses.

The concept of urban renewal as a method for social reform emerged in England as a reaction to the increasingly cramped and unsanitary conditions of the urban poor in the rapidly industrializing cities of the 19th century. The agenda that emerged was a progressive doctrine that assumed better housing conditions would reform its residents morally and economically. This process is also carried out in rural areas, referred to as village renewal, though it may not be exactly the same in practice. In some cases, renewal may result in urban sprawl when city infrastructure begins to include freeways and expressways. Urban renewal has been seen by proponents as an economic engine and a reform mechanism and by critics as a mechanism for control. Though it may bring more wealth to communities, it may also edge out its preexisting residents.

Objectives of Urban Renewal 

The main objectives of urban renewal are 

  • Restructuring and re planning of concerned urban areas 
  • Designing more effective and environment friendly local transport and road networks within the concerned urban areas
  • Rationalizing land uses within the concerned urban areas 
  • Redeveloping dilapidated buildings into new buildings of modern standard and environment friendly design 
  • Promoting sustainable development in the urban areas 
  • Promoting the timely maintenance and rehabilitation of buildings in need of repair 
  • Preserving buildings, sites and structures of historical, cultural or architectural value 
  • Preserving as far as practicable local characteristics 
  • Preserving as far as practicable the social networks of the local community 
  • Providing purpose-built housing for groups with special needs, such as the elderly and the disabled 
  • Providing more open space and community/welfare facilities 
  • Enhancing the townscape with attractive landscape and urban design 

Reasons behind Urban Renewal 

Urban Renewal allows an absolute city to modernize itself so that it can compete successfully with other cities of a similar hierarchical size for major economic and cultural activities. Various reasons behind urban renewal are as follows. 

a) Economic Reasons 

In Central areas, it alters low revenue property to high value property that yields higher tax revenue to the municipality. In conservation, it maintains the properties from declining. The cost of maintenance becomes less. Private developers are given adequate incentives to extend business and it provides more employment in commercial and institutional activities. Urban renewal project can repay the loan for investment within a few years. It provides employment opportunities and helps construction related activities. The relocated people and business also get economic benefits and blessings. 

b) Social Reasons 

It provides housing to the poor people and thus dilapidated housings and unhealthy, shady as well as shabby environmental ambience get eliminated through this type of projects. Juvenile delinquency, prostitution, anti-social elements and other social pathological symptoms are also removed or eradicated to some extent by the aura of this type of reformations.

c) Public Improvement Reasons 

Traffic improvements and parking facilities, disappearance of illegal and unauthorized usage of public space, provision of adequate community facilities including interward and intraward municipal services can be provided over a wider urban pursuit after the occurrence of a holistic urban renewal programme. 

d) Aesthetic Reasons 

Changing cityscapes with better or improved residential areas are generated due to renewal where all sorts of urban-ugliness can be removed. 

The purpose of urban renewal is to improve specific areas of a city that are poorly developed or underdeveloped. These areas can have old deteriorated buildings and bad streets and utilities or the areas can lack streets and utilities altogether. 

The National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) has committed itself to a comprehensive programme of urban renewal and massive expansion of social housing especially in Kolkata city. In his inaugural address of a National-level programme, held on 24th June, 2004, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasized on the need to give special attention to policies promoting urban renewal through urban regeneration, renovation and redevelopment. In the Independence Day address of 2008, he uttered, “Urban renewal constitutes one of the seven pillars for urban growth and development in different metropolitan cities of India”. At the beginning of 21st century, renewal resulted in the creation of urban sprawl also and huge areas of cities were demolished and replaced by fairways and expressways, sky-touching housing projects and vacant lots, some of which (though minor portions) still remain vacant. 

Urban renewal provides the following tools. 

  • First it allows for the use of tax increment financing to finance improvement projects. 
  • Second, it allows for special powers to buy and assemble sites for development or redevelopment, if that is desired. 
  • Third, it allows for special flexibility in working with private parties to complete development projects. 

Urban Renewal Agency 

For a municipality to use urban renewal it must establish an urban renewal agency and it must adopt an urban renewal plan. Urban renewal agencies are created by state law but are specifically “activated’” by the governing body. The agencies are separate legal bodies from the governing body, but in most cases the urban renewal agency board is composed of members of the governing body. 

Urban Renewal Plans 

To undertake urban renewal projects with tax increment financing, the projects must be authorized in an urban renewal plan. The plan applies to a specific geographic area of the city, which is called the urban renewal area. 
The term Urban renewal means rebirth or regeneration of a city or a part of it which has been plagued by the ills of urbanization. The planning concept originated in England and America in 1930’s. Decayed parts of the city were demolished and rebuilt. Initially referred to slum clearance and housing but has gradually evolved into a multidimensional concept. These programs were thrust upon the city and its people and were criticized and halted on opposition by organized community movements. The urban renewal programs taken up later, involved greater participation of the communities.
Urban Renewal programs are generally undertaken by public authorities or by local governments. The emphasis is on those parts which have fallen below current standards of public acceptability. These are commonly to be found in the residential parts of the inner city and the central business district. Indicators for residential parts of inner cities are inadequate housing, environmental degradation and presence of non-conforming uses. Indicators for central business district are traffic problems, congestion and dilapidated buildings. 
Urban renewal is required for 
  • Dilapidating, ageing parts of the city, not providing the city its full potential and becoming a health hazard 
  • In built form it consists of old area of the city, congested area around transit points and illegal settlements needing redevelopment 
  • In terms of infrastructure – measures for efficient and smooth movement of traffic, improvement of transportation network and provision /improvement of utilities

Urban Planning Policy in India

 In our first five year plan, the problem of urbanization was identified with the problem of increasing shortage of living space in urban areas, as a consequence of heavy shift of population from rural to urban area. The second plan marked the expansion of the housing programme of the first plan and given due attention to slum clearance, slum improvement and land acquisition and development was given due importance. In the third plan, it was decided to prepare master plans and regional development plans for metropolitan and industrial cities. In this plan urbanization was recognized as an important aspect of the process of economic and social development. 

In the fourth plan the expansion of urban community and spatial implications of the problems of urbanization was given due importance. In the fifth and sixth plan period attention has been given to spatial and functional linkage of towns, development and growth of small towns and prospects of developing new towns as the centres of agro-industries and rural services. The overall view of developing urbanization as a part of integrated rural development was given due consideration.

Spatial Policy 

The urban spatial policy considerations are becoming increasingly important in development planning. Alternative settlement patterns are being evaluated from the point of view of cost and efficiency. It has been demonstrated that, in spite of continuous failure to arrest the urban growth at a pre planned time and place, reasonable programmes to influence the direction of migration and the pattern of urbanization are feasible. One of the difficulties in facing the formation of spatial policies and urban growth strategies is that, there are very few successful models of urban planning and there are no ready made policies, programmes and strategies to suit all conditions, places and times.

No use of ‘Martyr’ word in Army for death of on duty soldier .

Credit- DNA

History of the use of the word martyr:
The government has claimed for nearly a decade that the word “martyr” has not been officially recognized. In 2013 and 2014, in response to RTI’s request, the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that the words “martyr” and “shahid” were not defined anywhere by the Government of India.
In December 2015, then Home Affair Minister Kireen Rijiju said in Lok Sabah that it is advised that the word “martyr” is not refer to any of the victims of the Indian army. He added that such terms were not used by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles personnel either.
In December 2021, Minister of State Home Nityanand Rai told Rajya Sabha again that there was no formal term like “martyr.”

Credit- Ketto


Objections to the use of martyrs’ words:
The word “martyr” has religious implications and has historically been used to refer to people making sacrifices for their religious beliefs like in Christianity . The word “Shahid”, which is used as a Hindu alternative to the word “Martyr”, also has a religious meaning and is associated with the Islamic concept of Shahadat. The word “martyr” is said to be derived from the Greek word “martur”. In various dictionaries, “martyr” is defined as a person who is willing to die as a punishment for refusing to abandon religion.
Since the Indian army is not affiliated with any religion and does not sacrifice their lives for religious principles, the use of such words for their sacrifice is found wrong,including the supreme leader of the army. Using words like martyr may not be correct in context to armed forces especially in India according to many legal experts and prominent officers of army and retired officers.

Credit- News18

Steps Taken By Government To Stop Use Of Martyr Word:
Despite the repeated assertions of the government about the word martyr having no official recognition, it was mostly used in government statements issued by various PR Officers for the defence services and the CAPFs. Many senior serving and retired officers also used it frequently to describe the death of soldiers in action. Thus, the word remained in common use.
The Army in 2022 issued a letter to all its commands asking them to abstain from using the word martyr as it may not be appropriate for soldiers who die in the line of duty. They have been, instead, asked to use phrases such as killed in action, supreme sacrifice for the nation, battle casualty, laid down their lives,veergati etc.

“Either I will come back after hoisting the tricolor, or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure. “

-Late Captain Vikram Batra (PVC)

Design and Implementation of a Public Participation Process

 A public participation process is designed and implemented in four discreet stages, as outlined below.

1) Preliminary Design 

  • Situation analysis 
  • Decision process 
  • Information exchange 
  • Public and stake-holders 
  • Planning team 
  • Approvals 

2) Developing the Plan 

  • Establish objectives
  • Identify and address major issues 
  • Identify and involve the stakeholders 
  • Choose techniques 
  • Prepare to provide and receive information 
  • Develop critical path 
  • Budget, staff, resources, logistics, roles and responsibilities 
  • Prepare to give and get feedback

3) Implementation 

  • Follow the critical path 
  • Apply techniques 
  • Provide and receive information 
  • Monitor the process 

4) Feedback 

  • Report to decision makers 
  • Report to participants 
  • Evaluate the overall process

Techniques 

A number of emerging public participation techniques provide the opportunity for shared engagement, which has been difficult to achieve with traditional techniques. Traditional techniques include print publications, public meetings, open houses, advisory committees, workshops, bilateral meetings, and focus groups. Emerging techniques include open space technology, future search conferences, policy dialogue, and a suite of electronic techniques. In general, emerging techniques offer more in-depth opportunities for dialogue and collaboration, with emphasis on value exploration and reaching consensus on shared outcomes in complex situations. It should be noted that public servants and community groups have numerous opportunities to interact with each other, exchange information and gain a better understanding of each other’s views and interests. 

Citizen participation is mainly seen as an instrument to strengthen and support the way representative democracy is functioning now. The local or national government should take and keep the initiative in policy-making. Initiatives ought to be taken from above. The process of involving citizens in politics and policy-making should not lead to the erosion of the primacy of the representative institutions. The central focus of thought is not on citizens, but on the government. The role of participation is mainly an instrumental one. That is, its main objective is to give citizens and their organizations a say in the official political process. Participation is not regarded as a value in itself, but is merely aimed at producing a government. 

A trip to cherish!

Image credit: http://www.alamy.com

When my Nani and I were drinking chai and chatting about random topics a few days ago at her home in Surat, she began talking about her early years spent in Ahmedabad. She told me about her family, the people there, the delectable food, the holidays she celebrated with them, and the spots where she used to hang out with her friends. Her descriptions piqued my enthusiasm for travelling to Ahmedabad and exploring the city.

          So, the following morning, I was prepared with my bag and a train ticket in hand and departed for the station after bidding my family farewell. I travelled with one of my cousins because she had visited Ahmedabad previously and was familiar with the area’s landmarks. We left Surat station at eight in the morning and arrived at Ahmedabad station around noon after a four-hour journey. Later on arriving at my cousin’s home, we relaxed there for a while before starting our city tour. I still can remember how I couldn’t contain my excitement to explore the places.

                    We started our trip at Jama Masjid. 

            We learned that the mosque was constructed by Ahmad Shah in 1424. The mosque’s architecture was such that it gleamed beautifully in the sunlight. 

                   The tombs of the male and female members of Ahmad Shah’s royal family, Badshah no Hajiro and Rani no Hajiro, respectively, were the next stop on our tour. Since women couldn’t enter Badshah no Hajiro, we snapped some photos of the monument from the outside.

                  On arriving at the female tomb, we discovered that the street leading there had changed to serve as a neighbourhood women’s market. I was surprised to find an antique jewellery piece at the market that I could afford to buy for my Nani as a souvenir, given that antiques are typically pricey.

                  After a few hours of exploring these monuments, we went to Manek chowk’s hustling and bustling market. It was late in the evening so it was pretty crowded with people. The aroma of the delicious street food hit us and we decided to dive in. We tried some of the popular food items of the chowk which includes Ghugra sandwich, Gotala Dosa, Fafda Jalebi, Dhokla and Methi Gota. I can still remember how delicious they tasted. We wound up exploring for the day.

                On the second day of the tour,  we started with having breakfast at a well-known neighbourhood eatery and later travelled to the Sabarmati Ashram. We learnt about its history and spoke with the women who worked there, who gave us information about the Ashram and the city’s rich culture. The ashram was exquisitely constructed.

                 The Sabarmati Riverfront was our next stop, followed by the lakeside flower garden. From the riverfront, there was a breathtaking vista.

                 The third and final day of my journey to Ahmedabad, I made the decision to wrap it up by going to the Utkantheshwar Temple in Sarkhej. It made me feel divine and grateful for my decision to travel to Ahmedabad. This city is truly, incredibly extraordinary.

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Drive in the Rain

“When it rains, it pours.”

A statement that holds a lot of emotion during rainy season in India. You never know how much will it rain. Sometimes it pours, sometime it just gives a short peek and passes by for us to enjoy the rainbow. In India, power cuts, roads filled with water, unseen manholes are opened, people driving in hurry to reach their destination, couples in love sharing hot food to the sides of the road, people removing helmets to feel the strong connection to earth, some standing by for it to pass and many more.

As a bike rider, I enjoy driving during the time it rains. I don’t care if it pours or drizzles, there is something about that moment that holds me close to it. The smell of petrichor, the slow drive, the sound of rain hitting the skin, and music just makes this meal heavenly. The destination may not be fulfilling but it’s the journey that fills me with a sense of joy. 

As a person, I connect with mother earth on a deeper level during rain. It gives me a feeling of belonging to a deeper purpose. Mother Earth causes rain to hydrate herself and add water to it’s lovely citizens. As a student, it’s my best bet if the college would be cancelled. The sound of rain on a Monday morning always lifts my spirits because I knew school/college would be cancelled. Now, the same rain helps me find peace from the worldly pains.

Drive in the Rain

“When it rains, it pours.”

A statement that holds a lot of emotion during rainy season in India. You never know how much will it rain. Sometimes it pours, sometime it just gives a short peek and passes by for us to enjoy the rainbow. In India, power cuts, roads filled with water, unseen manholes are opened, people driving in hurry to reach their destination, couples in love sharing hot food to the sides of the road, people removing helmets to feel the strong connection to earth, some standing by for it to pass and many more.

As a bike rider, I enjoy driving during the time it rains. I don’t care if it pours or drizzles, there is something about that moment that holds me close to it. The smell of petrichor, the slow drive, the sound of rain hitting the skin, and music just makes this meal heavenly. The destination may not be fulfilling but it’s the journey that fills me with a sense of joy. 

As a person, I connect with mother earth on a deeper level during rain. It gives me a feeling of belonging to a deeper purpose. Mother Earth causes rain to hydrate herself and add water to it’s lovely citizens. As a student, it’s my best bet if the college would be cancelled. The sound of rain on a Monday morning always lifts my spirits because I knew school/college would be cancelled. Now, the same rain helps me find peace from the worldly pains.

HOW TO WIN AN ARGUMENT

Arguments, whether they are interpersonal or professional, are essential. Be it a constructive or non-beneficial disagreement, we engage in it more frequently than we plan to in our regular lifestyle.

Nobody can win an argument against you unless you give the opportunity to.

Even if this isn’t your strongest suit, there are a few straightforward strategies you may use to quickly and easily win. To assist you, here are a few of them:

Image credit : pixaby.com https://images.app.goo.gl/dv31TkrJaxJ7cZRm9

1. Do your research – In a professional setting when you know you’re likely to have to get into an argument, prepare yourself beforehand with all the information and facts so that you have an upper hand in the discussion

2. When it’s unlikely – Sometimes you could encounter yourself in a heated argument in an unusual situation, caught off guard and unsure of what to say. It’s typically best to try to reason with the other person so that you can depart the argument quickly.

3. Calm down – The most important thing to remember when in an argument is to keep your composure and maintain decorum, especially if your parents are on the other side. However, this is true for practically all contentious discussions.

4. Don’t raise your voice – Being ear-splittingly loud won’t help you win, instead strengthen your case. Maintaining your mental fortitude will help you make your point to the opposing side as effectively as you can.

5. Decapitate them delicately – Be gentle and kind! Talk calm and pleasant until your generosity and encouraging words cause the opposition’s rage to subside. In between disputes, you must remind the other person of the good in you in case they have forgotten. This works!

6. Be reasonable – Avoid making assumptions just to justify your assertions. Provide evidence to back up your claims so the opposite side won’t have a chance to refute the information.

7. Choose your next word carefully- Remember in an argument the point is not just winning but also successfully winning at it. So communicating the issue that you’re debating about is also vital because that is the reason it happened in the first place. In doing so,  be careful how you choose your words.

8. Don’t rush— Time may not always be to your advantage, so consider whether it is the appropriate time to protest before you start the conversation. Better to steer clear of it for a while if not. Additionally, it will offer both parties a chance to think things through.

9. Listen!- If you aren’t willing to listen and consider the opposing viewpoint, how can you expect others to? It’s crucial to hear what the opposing side has to say because a one-sided discussion is not an argument.

10. Make believe – when you really want to win and your case isn’t solid enough, make the opposition believe that your perspective is stronger and their claim needs to be reevaluated. Even if you’re wrong, trick them into thinking otherwise.

You’ll master the art of argumentation in no time, just follow these simple methods and the win is yours.

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Neeraj has confident of throwing 90 meters

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra on Thursday broke his national record to win a silver medal in the prestigious Diamond League and missed a 90-yard throw at close range, but he’s confident he’ll achieve that goal this year. Neeraj had a throw of 89.94m on his first attempt to break into the Diamond League top 3 for the first time.But he missed 90 meters by only six centimeters.Neeraj said: “The first throw was very good.It wasn’t like this had to happen in the first throw itself.Was very close to 90 meters and looked like I could do it, but when I did my best it feels good.I’m almost 90 meters now and this year I’ll do it.He said: “When Anderson Peters covered the distance of 90 metres, I also felt I had to do the same.I had in mind that everything should be perfect.The javelin should be in a single line and the technique should be perfect.If everything is correct, only you can throw that far.I’m glad that all my throws were good.I am happy with my performance.I’m playing after a long time and I’ll try to do my best in the next competition.Neeraj looks back on his best performance at the World Championships to be held in Eugene, USA from July 15th to 24th.India has only one medal at the World Championships, which was won in 2003 by long jump athlete Anju Babi George with a bronze medal.Neeraj said: “There is only one medal at the World Championships, there is no pressure.Just gonna try my best.Well, you’ll only know if you go to Oregon.Every competition, every day is different.It’s not until I start playing in Oregon that I’ll know if I feel the pressure of being an Olympic champion.Well, I play without pressure.

Neeraj has confident of throwing 90 meters

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra on Thursday broke his national record to win a silver medal in the prestigious Diamond League and missed a 90-yard throw at close range, but he’s confident he’ll achieve that goal this year. Neeraj had a throw of 89.94m on his first attempt to break into the Diamond League top 3 for the first time.But he missed 90 meters by only six centimeters.Neeraj said: “The first throw was very good.It wasn’t like this had to happen in the first throw itself.Was very close to 90 meters and looked like I could do it, but when I did my best it feels good.I’m almost 90 meters now and this year I’ll do it.He said: “When Anderson Peters covered the distance of 90 metres, I also felt I had to do the same.I had in mind that everything should be perfect.The javelin should be in a single line and the technique should be perfect.If everything is correct, only you can throw that far.I’m glad that all my throws were good.I am happy with my performance.I’m playing after a long time and I’ll try to do my best in the next competition.Neeraj looks back on his best performance at the World Championships to be held in Eugene, USA from July 15th to 24th.India has only one medal at the World Championships, which was won in 2003 by long jump athlete Anju Babi George with a bronze medal.Neeraj said: “There is only one medal at the World Championships, there is no pressure.Just gonna try my best.Well, you’ll only know if you go to Oregon.Every competition, every day is different.It’s not until I start playing in Oregon that I’ll know if I feel the pressure of being an Olympic champion.Well, I play without pressure.