A Comparison of

different plans of
Birpur Housing
Colony, Jammu
Summer Assignment
Akhil Chibber

29th August 2014

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to Mr. Hameed

Ahmed Wani(CTP Jammu) who gave me the golden opportunity to work
on a live project of Jammu Development Authority(JDA), based on housing
development . I am also very thankful to Mr. Yashpal who guided me duing
this project.While working on this project I came to know about so many
new things I am really thankful to them. Secondly, I would also like to
thank my parents and my department Amity School of Architecture &
Planning(ASAP) who helped me a lot in finishing this project within the
limited time. This project gave me excellent opportunity to enhance my
knowledge in practical planning field.

Abstract

During my Summer internship, I have worked on the Housing Colony

Project of Jammu Development Authority(JDA) by doing a case study on
their upcoming Housing Colony which is Birpur Housing Colony. The aim of
study is to make an alternative plan for the Birpur Housing Colony, JDA by
overcoming the identified issues. The objective of this project is to make
a self sustained housing colony as per UDPFI guidelines provision of
following services is mandtory at the time of planning or developing a site.
These services are:- residential area(group housing as well as plotted
development), commercial area, green area including parks as well as
green belt, public/semi-public including primary schools & dispensary etc
within the Housing Colony. In the existing plan of JDA, issues were
identified which were filally overcomed in the alternative Land Use plan
for Birpur Housing Colony.

Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Urbanization in India............................................................................... 5
1.2 Housing need in Urban Area.........................................................................6
Aim:................................................................................................................... 7
Objectives:....................................................................................................... 7
Justification of the topic:............................................................................... 7
Scope:............................................................................................................... 8
Limitation:........................................................................................................ 8
2. Methodology................................................................................................. 8
Housing Scenario in Jammu & Kashmir...............................................................9
Background of Jammu...................................................................................... 10
About Jammu Development Authority (JDA)..................................................10
Study Area- Birpur............................................................................................ 11
Birpur Housing Colony(587 Kanal).................................................................11
Comparison of different Plans........................................................................12
3.Results & Discussions.................................................................................. 12
3.1 Existing Land Use Plan by Jammu Development Authority.............12
Site Analysis(587 Kanal)................................................................................ 12
Planning and Critique of the Plan..................................................................13
Issues............................................................................................................ 13
Recommendation.......................................................................................... 14
3.2 Revised Land Use Plan..........................................................................14
Site Analysis.................................................................................................. 15
Explanation of Plan........................................................................................ 15
Issues Being solved....................................................................................... 16
4. Conclusion..................................................................................................... 16
5. Future Prospects.......................................................................................... 17
6. References....................................................................................................... 17

Table of Fiqure

Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure
Figure

1 Urbanization Growth in India.........................................................................

2 Housing need in Urban Area.........................................................................
3 Housing Shortage.........................................................................................
4 State-wise housing shortage in 2012............................................................
5 Existing Site(2014)......................................................................................
6 Existing Land Use plan by Jammu Development Authority(JDA).................
7....................................................................................................................
8 Alternative Land Use Housing plan.............................................................
9 Alternative Detailed Layout plan.................................................................
10..................................................................................................................

1.

Introduction

1.1 Urbanization in India

Urbanisation in India was mainly caused after independence, due to adoption of mixed system of
economy by the country which gave rise to the development of private sector. Urbanisation is
taking place at a faster rate in India. Population residing in urban areas in India, according to
1901 census, was 11.4%. This count increased to 28.53% according to 2001 census, and
crossing 30% as per 2011 census, standing at 31.16%. According to a survey by UN State of the
World Population report in 2007, by 2030, 40.76% of country's population is expected to reside in
urban areas. Mumbai saw large scale rural-urban migration in the 21st century. Mumbai
accommodates 12.5 million people, and is the largest metropolis by population in India, followed
by Delhi with 11 million inhabitants. Witnessing the fastest rate of urbanisation in the world, as
per 2011 census, Delhi's population rose by 4.1%, Mumbai's by 3.1% and Kolkata's by 2% as per
2011 census compared to 2001 census. Estimated population, at the current rate of growth, by
year

2015,

Mumbai

stands

at

25

million, Delhiand Kolkata at

each, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad at 10 million (Wikipedia, 2014).

Figure 1 Urbanization Growth in India

16

million

1.2 Housing need in Urban Area

With the increasing population in urban areas has
finally resulted in an increase in the number of people
living in slums & squatter settlements. The increasing
land prices in urban areas made the people of
Economic Weaker Section(EWS) to occupy slums
creating congestion. The housing shortage in India
consists of a wide gap between the demand & supply
of housing. According to a report by Ministry of
Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation(MHUPA), Indias
Figure 2 Housing need in Urban Area

urban housing shortage is estimated at 18.78 million

households in 2012. The report also highlights that around 1 million households are living in
katcha houses while half a million are in homeless condition. (NAREDCO, 2014)

Figure 3 Housing Shortage, India

Figure 4 State-wise housing shortage in 2012

Aim:
To make an alternative Land Use plan for Birpur Housing Colony, Jammu
Objectives:
1. To study the existing Land Use plan of Jammu Development
Authority(JDA)
2. To identify the issues & gap in the existing Land Use plan of Jammu
Development Authority(JDA)
3. To give an alternative modified Land Use plan for Birpur Housing
Colony, Jammu
Justification of the topic:
Jammu is the largest city in the state of Jammu & Kashmir situated on the
banks of Tawi river. It is a municipal corporation. Though the city lack
proper byelaws as per UDPFI guidelines. So, there is a need to redevelop
the existing Land Use Plan in an orderly manner. The aim on making the
alternative plan is to improve infrastructure and land utilization. An
alternative planned approach for the physical improvements shall directly
contribute to the economic and social well being of the people living and
working in the settlement area. Providing facilities with proper
utilization of land so as to minimize the issues. Moreover such a forward
looking plan and the ensuing development may contribute to the State as
a whole in its development.
Scope:
1. Study of existing Land Use
2. Identification of Issues
3. Giving an alternative Land Use plan for Birpur Housing Colony,JDA
Limitation:
In Jammu, new Housing Colonies have been proposed by Jammu
Development Authority(JDA) in Gole Gujral, Nagrota, birpur & Bhagwati
Nagar. These projets are being introduced and executed to provide
affordable housing to people. Due to time constraint, I was not been able
to analyse the plan of all housing colonies. The plan of Birpur housing
colony was only reviewed and revised by me.

2.

Methodology

The methodology adopted for the completion of this project is divided into
the following phases:
Phase 1:
Data Collection of existing Land Use plan, site analysis and other primary
data from Jammu Development Authority(JDA) related to the project.
Phase 2:
In this phase the data being collected would be analysed thoroughly so as
to determine the issues in the existing Land Use plan of Jammu
Development Authority(JDA).
Phase 3:
The last phase of this project would comprise of making an alternative
Land Use plan by overcoming the issues being identified.

Housing Scenario in Jammu & Kashmir

Th population of J & K state according to 2001 Census is above 1 crore
with a decadal growth of 29%. In 1981, average person living per house
were 7-8 in approx. 82 lakh houses. In Srinagar city, for a population of 12
lakh in 2000, 1.5 lak houses were required at the rate 8 person/plot
against which 13,163 plots/flat were provided by the Government Housing
Cooperatives have contributed to 0.02% totalling to 9%. Remaining 91%
of residential stock has been built by the general public in the city in an
unplanned manner resulting in growth og slums, haphazard development
& lack of urban infrastructure. Housing problem in Srinagar is growing
where urban agglomeration lies between 15-24 person/household & in 37
Mohallas between 12-15 persons/household. Approx. 43% houses in
srinagar have 2, 3 & more households. (Ashraf, 2014)
A population of 5 lakh live in 1114 hectare only which works out to 450
persons/hectare against the UDPFI standard of 175 persons/hectare i.e.
maximum for Metro cities. Thus, an area of 1114 hectares should have a
maximum population of 2 lakh. Removal of congestion of 3 lakh
population is the existing problem of housing shortage, which will need
additional 37,500 plots at the rate 8 persons/plot against the existing 9.45
persons/house. Thereby the housing demand will be growing continuesly
over the next 2 decade.
As per Srinagar Master Plan(2000-21), 1,37,500 plots shall be needed for
11 lak additional residential population. (Govt. of J & K, 2014)

Background of Jammu
Jammu is the largest city in Jammu & Kashmir situated on the bank of Tawi
River. Jammu is also known as the "City of Temples" owing to the number
of historical temples and domes of old mosques located within the city.
Jammu is located at 32.73N 74.87E.It has an average elevation of 327 m
(1,073 ft). Jammu city lies at uneven ridges of low heights at the Shivalik
hills. It is surrounded by Shivalik range to the north, east and southeast
while the Trikuta Range surrounds it in the north-west. It is approximately
600 kilometres (370 mi) from the national capital, New Delhi.
Connectivity
The city of Jammu is having connectivity with other towns and cities by
the mode of railway, air, road and local transport(JKSRTC)

(Wikipedia, 2014)

About Jammu Development Authority (JDA)

The Jammu Development Authority was constituted in 1970, under the J &
K
Development Act No. XIX of 1970.
It

was transferred as a resource all the vacant land

located within 13 km radius of the Jammu city. With
this land bank & a handful of humar resource, JDA started
its odyssey to manage the land, develop it to create
better infrastructure & in the process catering to the
needs & demands of the fast expanding Jammu urban
area. Over the years it succeeded in creating significant infrastructure,
commercial & office complexes, residential colonies, parks & green belts
with statues & institutions of art. It is also prepared Master Plans of the
Jammu City. (JDA Jammu, 2014)
List of existing housing colonies in Jammu(Authorized by Jammu
Development Authoprity)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Channi Himmat Housing Colony

Trikuta Nagar Housing Colony
Bantalab Housing Colony
Roop Nagar Housin Colony
Bahu Fort Housing Colony
E.W.S Colony opposite Roop Nagar Housing Colony
Janipur Housing Colony
Panchvati Apartments Flats near Nanak nagar

In Jammu, there are 8 Housing Colonies being advertized by JDA (JMC,

2014)

Study Area- Birpur

Birpur is a Village at Vijaypur Tehsil in Samba District of Jammu & Kashmir State, India. It
is located 10 KM towards west from District head quarters Samba. 198 KM from State
capital Srinagar, Jammu. Birpur Pin code is 181133 and postal head office is Bari
Brahmna .Birpur is surrounded by Samba Tehsil towards East , Purmandal Tehsil towards
west , Bishnah Tehsil towards west , Ghagwal Tehsil towards East .
Jammu , Udhampur , Kathua , Sujanpur are the nearby Cities to Birpur.
Connectivity

By Rail
Vijiypur Jammu Rail Way Station are the very nearby railway stations to
Birpur. How ever Jammu Tawi Rail Way Station is major railway station 22
KM near to Birpur (One Five Nine, 2014)

Birpur Housing Colony(587 Kanal)

Figure 5 Existing Site(2014)

Comparison of different Plans

3.Results & Discussions

3.1 Existing Land Use Plan by Jammu Development Authority

Figure 6 Existing Land Use plan by Jammu Development Authority(JDA)

Site Analysis(587 Kanal)

The site i.e. Birpur Housing Colony is being setup to make a self sustained
housing colony including all the basic amenities and infrastructure being
required by the people. It includes parks, playgrounds, schools,
dispensaries, shops etc. The Land Use plan of the colony includes
residential area, commercial area, public/semi-public, recretional area. The
residential development in the site includes plotted development as well
as group housing. The area of plotted development in the housing colony
is 206.5 Kanal whereas the area of group housing is 36.75 Kanal. Plotted
development includes 130 MIG Plots(40*80), 323 LIG Plots(30*60) and
335 EWS Plots(25*50) combining to form a total area of 206.5 Kanals
The Commercial is situated with the railway line in the entrance of the
housing colony having an area of 46.54 Kanals. In this housing colony
parks and playgrounds are being provided consuming an area of 9.25
Kanal. The basic amenities and infrastructure being required by the people
including schools, dispensaries, shops, health centres etc. Come under
public/semi-public which covers an area of 19.24 Kanal. There are 2 types
of circulation ropads in this colony i.e. 30 road and 60 road both
covering 258.35 Kanals. These all were the area being consumed under
the Land Use of the site area. Outside the site area is a Large green
belt(65.09 Kanal) & a Naalah(255.85 Kanal).
Land Use
Residential Area
Commericial Area
Public/Semi-Public
Recreational Area
Area of Roads

Area(in Kanals)
243.25
46.54
19.24
9.25
268.72

Percentage(%)
41.43
7.94
3.38
1.57
45.68

Figure 7

Planning and Critique of the Plan

The site(Birpur Housing Colony) is connected with a railway line. The

Colony is being made with the motive of affordable housing thereby
consisting of 3 types of plots namely MIG(Middle Income Group),

LIG(Lower Income Group), and EWS(Economic Weaker Section). The

commericial area is situated at the entrance of the site there by starting
with MIG Plots with the maximum cost being directly connected with the
commercial centre & the close connectivity with the railway station. The
plotted development is done on the basis of its connectivity with the
railway line and commercial centre. After the MIG plots, development of
LIG plots and at the last EWS. EWS is having far connectivity with the
railway line because of its low cost . So, MIG are being given place close to
the railway station and commercial centre beacuse of high cost. At the
end after EWS is placed an area for group housing. Area of group housing
is being provided at the end of the site due to there height which would
intrupt if they were placed in the entrance of the site.

Issues

In the residential colony, 2 types of roads are being provided i.e. 60 and
30 roads. Outside the EWS plots, 60 road is being provided which is
larger than the plots size(25*50). This area of road is wasted which can
be utilized for increasing the number of EWS plots. Due to this 60 road in
front of EWS plots, extra size road is provided thereby resulting in utilizing
more area for roads.
60 road is being provided for direct connectivity with the outer area
without going inside the sector. The positioning of plots is not correct
because there are 31 opening points of the plots towards the 60 road
which would result in increasing traffic congestion and increasing rate of
accident level. The total residential of the colony is 41.43% which is below
the UDPFI standard that is min. 45% in case of a housing colony og area
587 Kanal. So, the number of plots i.e. the residential area is very
less(41.43%) as compared to the min. UDPFI standard(45%). There are 31
T- Junctions in the plotted development one after the other which would
create a huge traffic mess and increase in the rate of accident level.
Therefore, there is a need to make an alternative Land Use plan to
overcome all these issues and make the plan more practical.
Recommendation

Increase in residential area to meet the min. UDPFI standard i.e.

45%
Reducing the opening points towards the 60 road to minimize the
traffic and accident level
Increase in number of plots instead of providing 60 road which is
larger than EWS plots(25*50).

Reducing the number of T-Junctions one after the other to as much

distance as possible to minimize the accident level and traffic
congestion.

3.2 Revised Land Use Plan

Figure 8 Alternative Land Use Housing plan

Figure 9 Alternative Detailed Layout plan

-Detailed Layout Plan

Site Analysis

This is an alternative Land Use plan for the Birpur Housing Colony. This
Land Use plan is also being made with the concept of a self sustained
housing colony having all the basic facilities, amenities and infrastructure
to the people. It provides parks, playgrounds, schools, primary health
centres, dispensary, green belt etc. The Land Use plan includes
Residential Area, Commercial area, recreational area, public/semi-public.
The residential development in the site includes plotted development as
well as group housing. The area of plotted development in the housing
colony is 304.33 Kanal whereas the area of group housing is 36.75 Kanal.
Plotted development includes 120 MIG Plots(40*80), 430 LIG

Plots(30*60) and 362 EWS Plots(25*50) combining to form a total area

of 206.5 Kanals The Commercial is situated with the railway line in the
entrance of the housing colony having an area of 56.91 Kanals. In this
housing colony parks and playgrounds are being provided consuming an
area of 15.49 Kanal. The basic amenities and infrastructure being required
by the people including schools, dispensaries, shops, health centres etc.
Come under public/semi-public which covers an area of 13.43 Kanal. There
are 2 types of circulation roads in this colony i.e. 25 road and 60 road
both covering 170.46 Kanals. The 60 roads consume 47.24 Kanals of area
while the 25 road consumes 123.22 Kanals. These all were the area being
consumed under the Land Use of the site area. Outside the site area is a
Large green belt(65.09 Kanal) & a Naalah(255.85 Kanal).
Land Use
Residential Area
Commericial Area
Public/Semi-Public
Recreational Area
Area of Roads

Area(in Kanals)
341.08
46.54
13.43
15.49
170.46

Percentage(%)
58.1
7.94
2.28
2.64
29.04

Figure 10

Explanation of Plan

This colony is being made on the concept of a self sustained housing

colony including all the basic services, amenities and infrastucture
required by the people including parks, playgrounds, primary health
centres, dispensaries, schools etc. The site is connected with a railway
line. The Colony is being made with the motive of affordable housing
thereby consisting of 3 types of plots namely MIG(Middle Income Group),
LIG(Lower Income Group), and EWS(Economic Weaker Section). The
commericial area is situated in the entrance of the site there by starting
with MIG Plots with the maximum cost being directly connected with the
commercial centre & the close connectivity with the railway station. The
plotted development is done on the basis of its connectivity with the
railway line and commercial centre. After the MIG plots, development of
LIG plots and at the last EWS. EWS is having far connectivity with the
railway line because of its low cost . So, MIG are being given close
connectivity to the railway line and commercial centre beacuse of high
cost. At the end after EWS is placed an area for group housing. Area of
group housing is being provided at the end of the site due to there height
which would intrupt if they were placed in the entrance of the site.
Issues Being solved

In new Land Use plan, 2 types of roads have been provided i.e. 25 road &
60 road. 60 road have been provided for direct connectivity with the
outer area without going inside the sector. Outside the EWS plots, 25
road have been provided instead of 60 which was larger than the plot

size. With the decrease in road width, it lead to the increase in number of
EWS plots. The positioning of plots is changed. The opening points of the
plots towards the 60 road are reduced from 31 opening points to 10
thereby decreasing traffic congestion and accedent level. The minimum
standard of UDPFI guidelines i.e. min. 45% residential area is being
achieved by increasing the residential area from 41.43% to 58.1%. The
residential area in increased by dcreasing the roads and providing proper
road connectivity. The T-Junctions one after the other are reduced to as
low as possible resulting in reduced traffic congestion and accident rate.

4. Conclusion
The issues of Land Use plan by the Jammu Development Authority(JDA)
were taken into consideration while making the alternative Land Use plan
for Birpur Housing Colony. To increasing the residential i.e. to reach the
UDPFI standard, the road width was decreased where it was sufficent to
meet the demand. By decreasing the road width and changing the
orientation of the plots, the residential area was increased and meet the
UDPFI minimum standard(45%). The alternative Land Use plan focuced on
increasing the residential area i.e. number of plots, decreasing the
opening points and changing the orientation of the plots so as to reduce
the traffic congestion and accident rate.
5. Future Prospects
The empty site has been provided (36.75 Kanal) for group housing that
can be developed in to cater the increasing housing demand of the city.

6. References
(2014, August Friday). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbanisation_in_India
(2014, August Thursday). Retrieved from Govt. of J & K:
http://www.jkdirinf.in/NewsDescription.aspx?ID=5203
(2014, August Tuesday). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jammu
(2014, August Thursday). Retrieved from JDA Jammu: http://www.jdajammu.in/
(2014, August Wednesday). Retrieved from JMC: http://jkhudd.gov.in/
(2014, August Monday). Retrieved from One Five Nine:
http://www.onefivenine.com/india/villages/Samba/Vijaypur/Birpur
Ashraf. (2014, August Tuesday). Retrieved from Kashmir Forum:
http://kashmirforumorg.blogspot.in/2012/02/housing-needs-in-j.html
NAREDCO. (2014, August Wednesday). Retrieved from Housing India:
www.kpmg.com/IN/en/.../Urban-housing-shortage-in-India.pdf
www.wikipedia.com. (2014, August Monday).