Artist impressions of redeveloped Gwalior railway station (Picture Credits: IRSDC)The Indian Railways' nodal agency, responsible for the station redevelopment project as well ascommercial development of railway land, hasdevelopeda first-of-its-kind form-based codes approach, based on the principles of transit-oriented development.The Indian Railways' special purpose vehicle -Indian Railways Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) will adopt the form-based codes to redevelop railway stations and existing railway land to offer aesthetic, world-class facilities to passengers and ensure sustainable development.
(Also Read:Indian Railways Adopts Form-Based Codes For Station Redevelopment Project)According to a statement shared by the organisation, the form-basedcodes have been developed in line withnational schemes such as National Transit Oriented Development Policy, Smart Cities or AMRUT scheme, Green Building Norms, as well as Affordable Housing.What are Form-Based Codes For Indian Railways'Station Redevelopment Project? All You Need To KnowAccording to theIndian Railways Station Development Corporation, theform-based codesaresimplya comprehensive set of codes, guidelines, or norms prepared by the nodal agency, to plan station redevelopment and regulating the commercial development of railway land.
The codes regulate building forms, relationship with the urban environment, and also strengthens the performance of infrastructural spaces.
The form-basedcodes or the handbook are compiled in six parts.
They are as follows:1.
Handbook for Station PlanningThe station planning handbook comprises tools and norms for thedesign of station operational areas.
It is basically a guide to be followed by all stakeholders involved in the process of station redevelopment.2.
Guidebook for Operationalizing National Transit-Oriented DevelopmentPolicy forStation RedevelopmentThis is a guidebook that comprises processes and toolsfor layout planning within the railway land.
It assists in the value creation of station redevelopment, specifically enhancing thevalue of precinct sustainably through regeneration of derelict, strategic restructuring, under-utilized oroverburdened areas.3.
Form-Based Codes for Commercial Development of Railway LandThis guidebook comprises the sub-plot development control norms and codes for layout regulating plans.
They are basically normsor codes for property development cards for sub-plots.4.Codes for Architectural Design of Commercial AssetsThis comprises norms or codesfor the architectural design of assets within the sub-plots designated for railways' commercial development.
This follows National Building codes and thenorms applicable for transit-oriented development areintegrated.
Mixed-use, mixed-income with active frontages, as well as demand management-based parking provisions are accommodated in these codes.5.Green Building Codes for Commercial Development on Railway LandThis comprises theminimum, non-negotiable green building requirements recommended by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency,a statutory body under the central government.
The norms or codes are optimized to meet the recommendations of the National transit-oriented development policy.6.Codes for Railway Heritage AssetThe codes for railway heritage asset adopts the government's think tank -Niti Aayog's approach on improving the heritage management in India.
It comprises tools and codes for maintainingrailway heritage assets through management andconservation with compatible utilisation and increasingrevenue potential.What are the advantages of Form-based codes?The implementation of the form-based codes will offer severalbenefits for the station redevelopment project and commercial development:Standardization of planningand maintenance process.Ease-of-doing process for encouraging public-private partnership (PPP)Flexibility in asset use bymaking them responsive to market demandSustainable development in urban areas by decreasing pressure on city infrastructure