[Reader-list] Delhi Urban Arts Commission

[Chad Chowbey]

Dear all,

We may, or may not, have registered Ratish's anguish. He writes, in the last
paragraph, "The only way forward seems to be more citizen interest in urban
affairs". In the same sentence in which he records his anguish, he also
writes this phrase: "in the hope that
someone, somewhere will have the ability..."

I do not want to complete this quote as it exists in Ratish's writing. I
bring your attention to two phrases: "more citizen interest in urban
affairs" vs "in the hope that someone, somewhere will have the ability..."

Here is material for thought. "only way forward" vs "in the hope"; "more
citizen interest" vs "someone, somewhere"; "urban affairs" vs "will have the
ability...".

I would request Ratish to define "ability" here.

I request a discussion on this figure of the 'citizen' Ratish has appealed
to, indeed on the horizon that the phrase 'more citizen interest' opens up .
I am sure, because I have been an invisible reader, the reader list has
already discussed this issue threadbare. My point here is: even so, the
ambiguities in Ratish's write-up (last para) shows there is more to be
understood, shared. This is certainly a debate that can be re-opened, or
re-visited. For one reason: there is the citizen. And then there is the
someone, somewhere.

with respect,
chad chowbey




On 2/19/08, Ratish Nanda <ratishn at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dear All
>
>
>
> Some of you would have read the Indian Express report titled *'DUAC set
> for
> a new, young look'* on February 16/17 2008; for those who did not, the
> story
> is available at http://www.indianexpress.com/printerFriendly/273614.html#
>
>
>
> I write to share my angst, as a Delhi based architect, at alarming
> proposals
> for Delhi that would set the city towards self destruction AND the
> disrespect shown to senior professionals volunteering advice with nothing
> but the city's interest in mind. While being a proponent of 'Bhagidari' or
> partnership in governance this government has ably demonstrated its
> disdain
> for following the due process.
>
>
>
> The Delhi Urban Art Commission was set up by an Act of Parliament in
> 1973<http://www.duac.org/appendices_duacact.html>to "
> *advise the Government of India in the matter of preserving, developing
> and
> maintaining the aesthetic quality of urban and environmental design within
> Delhi and to provide advice and guidance to any local body in respect of
> any
> project of building operations or engineering operations or any
> development
> proposal which affects or is like to affect the skyline or the aesthetic
> quality of the surroundings or any public amenity provided therein*". DUAC
> is non-statutory and has only an advisory role, even this is too much for
> our political masters to bear.
>
>
>
> It is obvious from the report that the Government of Delhi has not taken
> kindly on being given occasional advice by an eminent though non-statutory
> DUAC on the several projects that are brought to the commission for
> 'advice
> or approval'. It is also obvious from the Indian Express report that
> the government circular has been 'leaked' by the government in a
> disgraceful
> manner as the present DUAC headed by internationally remowned architect
> Charles Correa still has several months of its term yet to expire. I have
> interacted with some very fine officers in the government with a deep
> knowledge of urban issues yet their voices seem to have been similarly
> stamped out.
>
>
>
> Contrary to the impression the article and the anonymous source it quotes
> gives, the DUAC members is essentially provide a voluntary service
> essential
> in times when Delhi has been under tremendous pressure for haphazard (at
> best) construction and when poorly prepared proposals that would inflict
> irreparable damage to the historic city of Delhi at the cost several
> hundred
> crores of tax payers money. It appears that the government wishes to give
> a
> 'new young look' to the DUAC yet it is clear the government is more keen
> on
> compliant members than those whose advice really counts. With several
> hundred projects to screen, it is experience in urban issues that is
> required NOT the enthusiasm of youth.
>
>
>
> While writing this e mail I was surprised to learn from the DUAC website *
> http://www.duac.org/  *of the number of approvals given with ease and the
> simple advice offered in other situations.* *While an average Delhi
> resident
> may require over a dozen permissions to build his/her home – more so if it
> is sited in a special zone, the government is seemingly 'fed up' at having
> to take 'advice' for mega infrastructure projects such as the elevated
> east-west corridor – partly on the riverbed and partly at a 'five storeyed
> building height' and despite an over 1000 crore expected cost being
> proposed
> without any linkages to the city's urban transport network, without a
> Community Impact Assessment or an Environmental Impact Asssement or any of
> the other studies that would be considered routine in any other civilized
> country before an expenditure of such magnitude or a development with such
> an enormous aesthetic impact.
>
>
>
> Even the common man takes a second opinion in matters of health and does
> not
> trust a quack for treatment of disease yet this sense does not prevail for
> the health of a city we all call home. Just as a medical disease cannot be
> cured without proper pathological tests, urban infrastructure projects,
> such
> as the famed High Capacity Bus System, should not be designed without
> proper
> studies and planning, is that too hard for the government to accept?
>
>
>
> For many in Delhi, DUAC has not been 'aggressive enough' at dismissing
> 'mindless schemes' that have occasionally been proposed under
> political/developer pressure but does an organization set up as a result
> of
> an act of Parliament not deserve more respect by the government. Does it
> also not deserve to command statutory power? DUAC would not be so
> important
> if the government followed the law in spirit and not only in letter.
>
>
>
> The only way forward seems to be more citizen interest in urban affairs, I
> write to you to share thoughts and record my anguish, in the hope that
> someone, somewhere will have the ability of reminding this 'mai baap'
> government and its media savvy officials of their responsibility towards
> our
> city and courtesy towards its citizens – a long term vision for Delhi is
> needed and we need a stronger DUAC to help create it.
>
>
>
> Warm regards
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