The scheme did not take off as the base floor space index (FSI) in the suburbs was not raised from 1 to 1.33. This was done in 2008.
If the state wants to provide housing to almost 60% of the city’s population living in slums, it needs to do away with free rehabilitation, urban-planning experts said on the concluding day of Megamorphosis, a conference on Mumbai’s resurgence, on Wednesday.
With property prices varying wildly across the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR), incentives should be linked with slum rehabilitation projects in locations with lower property prices, and vice-versa, to ensure that such projects are economically viable.
Senior housing officials said Suresh Joshi, housing secretary in 2004 and now the chief information commissioner, had proposed a similar scheme under which builders could avail of a higher developable space as incentive. The scheme did not take off as the base floor space index (FSI) in the suburbs was not raised from 1 to 1.33. This was done in 2008.
“For example, a developer in Bandra saw no profit if he had to use the balance FSI beyond Andheri, where property rates are Rs4,000 a sq ft against Rs9,000 at Bandra,” an official said. “If this scheme is implemented now, it would work well as both TDR and property rates are rising.”
The planners agreed that the current slum redevelopment scheme alone cannot address the demand for rehabilitation and sought subsidy in the form of low housing finance and increasing capital assistance.
They also urged greater government participation in ensuring land allocation for affordable housing. “Singapore has used its power to transfer land to the Housing and Development Board —- similar to Mhada —- for public housing,” said Shirish Patel, urban planner and social activist. “California has active zoning policies whereby developers can construct up to 20% additional area than permitted as per the local development plan as an incentive to create affordable housing units.”
Sitaram Kunte, principal secretary (housing), said the Centre has already taken steps to promote inclusive housing by mandating that new developments will have to reserve 25% to 30% of the space for low-income groups.
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