POLICY FOR RESIDENTIAL LAND UTILIZATION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

The fact that residential land uses are being engulfed by the invading economic forces, in a competitive urban land market is well known. Yet, it continues to remain as the basic requisite of all settlements and consequently, play a decisive role in an urban system. A study of residential land utilization, therefore, becomes important for all efforts in urban studies and planning. Residential land utilization essentially refer to quantity of land under residential use, its spatial distribution, the changing densities, and typologies. Several studies have been presented by researcher regarding the social, economic physical, aesthetic, legislative and environmental aspects of residential development. However, the purpose of most of the studies, have been to explain residential land utilization, in terms of one of more these factors. This study aims at deriving a model integrating all these factors and user preferences, which will serve as a tool for formulating policies for an ideal residential development satisfying the desirable criteria of each of the subsystem. Kochi city, a metropolis and the largest city in Kerala has been selected as the study area for this research. The following set of objectives were framed for the research (I) to study the historical changes in residential land utilization pattern in Kochi, (ii) to examine the role of the environmental factors affecting the credential development, (iii) to identify the control parameters, which determine the pattern of residential land utilization in the system, (iv) to formulate an optimum user satisfaction model for residential land utilizations, (v) to evolve a set of policy guidelines for optimum residential land in Kochi city. Survey research methods have been extensively employed in the present investigation. The surveys were personally undertaken by the investigator using pretested schedules. Six primary surveys covering various categories of people namely occupants of multi-storeyed apartment buildings, prospective clients of ready built housing, general populace, neighbours of multi storeyed apartments, decision makers in urban development and builders were undertaken along with visual surveys for this research. Computer software like MS ACCESS, MS EXCEL, SPSS statistical package have been used for data processing and analysis. Analytical techniques, such as, weighted index methods, multiple regression and factor analysis have been used for detailed analysis and modelling. It has been possible to extract 6 components contributing to user satisfaction. A mathematical model has been developed based on the results of the analysis. Policy guidelines have been evolved for optimum residential land utilization with environmental considerations.