Mapping opportunities and challenges in redevelopment of older public housing projects: A case of Ahmedabad
Government of Gujarat announced its 'Redevelopment of Public Housing Policy', a new scheme to redevelop the dilapidated public housing colonies envisaging better utilization of FSI (Highest possible 3.0 FSI) in partnership with Private Developers through the medium of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode. These Housing colonies were originally constructed under various public housing schemes in urban areas by Gujarat Housing Board (GHB), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and urban development authorities. The redevelopment of these colonies is intended to improve living conditions of public housing residents and add new affordable housing units in the city. The scheme involves participation of private developer in the redevelopment process in lieu of FSI and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) incentives. However, the Implementation of this policy is escorted by challenges like tracing original residents and the multiple grey market transactions on the property, acquiring consent of residents to participate in redevelopment process, especially from families who have made incremental retrofits and expanded their living spaces over time.
Government agencies in Ahmedabad including AMC, AUDA and GHB are undertaking redevelopment of their older housing stock under the policy. The research aims to capture the process involved through the redevelopment in detail and the role of participating stakeholders including the redevelopment authority, developers, residents and NGO’s and community organizations that play an important role in the process by establishing a trust relationship between the participating stakeholders.
