3.7 CASE STUDY : FORMAL HOUSING

3.7.1 BHESTAN AWAS YOJNA, SURAT

In the Bhestan neighborhood of Surat, Gujarat, there is a project called the Bhestan Awas Yojna that provides inexpensive homes for the economically weaker sections of society. The Surat Municipal Corporation started the project in partnership with private builders to give low-income groups access to cheap housing. The project aims to give locals access to essential services like electricity, clean water, and sanitary facilities.

Details of Bhestan Awas is as below:

• Housing plan – one bedroom, kitchen, W/C, chokdi, balcony

• Built – up area – 22.45 m2

• Actual cost – Rs 1,04,084/-

• Up – front cost – Rs 3000/-

• Loan- Rs 27,000/- o EMI – Rs 343/-

• Total repayment period – 10 years o Interest rate – 9%

• Cost of house recovers from the beneficiary – Rs 30,000/-

• Total no of building – 528

• Total houses - 8448

According to the architect’s perspective; The decisions made by the government/builder while building the Bhestan housing for the economical weaker section, how did they prove to be, advantageous or disadvantageous;

The aim of the Awas Yojna was to provide the residents of the informal settlement with a formal housing with basic infrastructure as well as basic services;

Large stretches of farmland surround the Bhestan Awas Yojna project, which is located on the outskirts of Surat. The project's location was chosen to be close to the neighborhood's residents while yet being out of the way of the city's bustle. The project is well located for Surat's working-class population because it is close to the city's industrial area.

Innovative Design Solutions for Sustainable and Resilient Multi-Story Structures:

The project consists of multi-story structures that have been planned to make the best use of available space. The structures were built with contemporary building methods and are intended to offer the residents cozy living spaces. Due to the structures' good ventilation and natural lighting, the apartments are both sustainable and energy-efficient.

Designing the buildings so they could endure the severe weather that Surat experiences frequently was one of the biggest challenges the architects encountered when working on the Bhestan Awas Yojna project. The builders had to make sure that the structures were made to provide enough shelter from the elements because the city enjoys hot and muggy weather all year long.

The builders' task of making the structures earthquake-resistant presented another difficulty. Since Surat is in an area that is prone to earthquakes, the builders had to include special design elements to make sure the structures can withstand earthquakes.

Conclusive inference:

The Bhestan Awas Yojna project is a great illustration of how well-planned and well-built housing developments may offer livable circumstances to those in the economically disadvantaged sectors of society. The architects have incorporated unique architectural elements that make the buildings environmentally friendly and seismic-resistant in order to address the project's issues.

CHOICE V/S IMPORTANCE - BHESTAN

SERVICE V/S IMPORTANCE - BHESTAN

Challenges and issues that came across while the site visit in Bhestan Awas yojna:

The Bhestan Awas Yojna encountered numerous difficulties and problems during execution, which had an effect on the standard of the homes and the people' living circumstances. Following are some of the major issues and challenges:

• Land acquisition: Obtaining land for constructing the dwelling units was one of the main difficulties encountered during the project's implementation. The project's completion was delayed because there were several owners of the land and legal complications caused the acquisition procedure to take longer than expected.

• Lack of infrastructure: It was challenging to provide residents with even the most basic services because the area lacked essential infrastructure including roads, sewerage systems, and water supplies.

• Poor construction: Some of the apartments had poor construction due to a dearth of management and monitoring, which led to problems like leaks, humidity, and wall cracks.

• Lack of shared spaces: The dwelling units were built as separate structures with little room for shared spaces like playgrounds and parks. The people found it impossible to participate in social events as a result, which damaged the sense of community.

• Insufficient financial backing: The project depended on government grants and investments from the private sector, neither of which were sufficient to cover the project's expenses. As a result, the construction's quality was compromised and the occupants were left without facilities.

Conclusive Inferences:

The Bhestan Awas Yojna provides an example of the challenges and issues faced during the implementation of affordable housing projects for the economically weaker sections of society. While there were some successful solutions and recommendations, there is still a need for greater community engagement, innovative financing, and sustainability in future projects. By addressing these issues, affordable housing projects can better meet the needs of the residents and provide a better quality of life for the economically weaker sections of society.

3.7.2 Kosad Awas Yojna, Surat

The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) introduced the Kosad Awas Yojna, a low-cost housing program, in 2018 to offer lowcost housing for Surat's economically disadvantaged (EWS) population. The initiative, which is located in Surat's Kosad neighborhood, aims to give the urban poor who reside in slums and informal communities decent living circumstances. The project is a component of the government's initiatives to solve the city's lack of accessible housing and to enhance the living circumstances of the urban poor.

A participatory strategy was used to carry out the task, involving the neighborhood in planning and decision-making. The structures' layout and construction were actively contributed to by the tenants, who were also given training and the opportunity to develop their capacities so they could become homeowners. The initiative has also given the neighborhood's residents work possibilities, which has helped the region's economy grow.

Details of Kosad Awas are as below:

• Housing plan – two bedroom, kitchen, W/C, chokdi

• Built – up area – 25.50 m2 to 25.64m2

• Actual cost – Rs 1,34,653 to Rs 1,60,153/-

• Up – front cost – Rs 3500/- o Loan- Rs 32,500/-

• EMI – Rs 400/- o Total repayment period – 10 years

• Interest rate – 9% Cost of house recovers from the beneficiary – Rs 35,000/-

Observations:

The Kosad Awas Yojna encountered numerous difficulties and problems during execution, which had an effect on the standard of the homes and the people' living circumstances. Following are some of the major issues and challenges:

Location: Due to the project's isolated location and distance from the city centre, it is challenging for locals to access essential facilities and services.

Connectivity: The area's poor road conditions and lack of reliable public transport only exacerbate the accessibility problems.

Social Infrastructure: The residents' quality of life is impacted by the lack of communal infrastructure in the area of the project, including medical facilities, schools, and cultural centers.

Sanitation: The development lacks adequate sewerage systems and wastewater treatment facilities, which results in filthy conditions for residents.

Safety and Security: The neighborhood where the project is located is notorious for assault and criminal activity, which puts the safety and security of the inhabitants in danger.

Building Quality: The project's structures are of low quality, including problems like water leaks, wall fractures, and insufficient ventilation.

Limited Amenities: The lack of essential amenities like playgrounds, green spaces, and neighborhood spaces has a detrimental effect on the resident's social and emotional welfare.

Environmental Issues: The development does not use environmentally friendly design principles, which may cause the environment to deteriorate and have an adverse effect on the well-being of the locals.

Affordability: Despite being intended for EWS housing, the dwellings are out of reach for the intended audience because of high upkeep and repair fees.

Absence of Community Involvement: The scheme and the population that it aims to benefit have become estranged due to the citizens' lack of involvement in the processes for making choices.

CHOICE V/S IMPORTANCE - KOSAD