Vibrant recreational spaces for Chennaites - Strengthening of blue-green infrastructure in Chennai!!
Posted on: 08/Jun/2023 9:00:15 AM
On the lake front development, CMDA or Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is planning to spend Rs 100 crores. In the future, the residents would be able to witness walkways, cycle tracks, butterfly parks, amphitheatres, miyawaki forests and other entertainment facilities around the 10 lakes in Chennai. Sound`s Incredible right!!
As a part of an open design competition that was announced by CMDA, 6 conceptual designs out of 63 ideas would be selected by an expert committee. It is now said that this project would strengthen the blue green infrastructure in Chennai plus it would also create vibrant recreation space for the Chennaites.
There are 320 lakes present in the CMA or Chennai Metropolitan Area and these lakes are sources of irrigation and serve as flood accommodation. Information collected is that CMDA, WRD, GCC and other local bodies have joined hands together and have identified 10 lakes in Chennai under WRD for the project.
The lakes are present in places such as Mudichur, Rettreri,Perumbakkam, Madambakkam, Sembakkam, Ayanambakkam, Velachery, Adambakkm, Puzhal and Korattur. It must be remembered that CMDA got inspiration from Telangana that has developed localities around the water bodies.
According to an official from CMDA, different designs from architects have been received and soon an expert committee having officials from CMDA, WRD and environmental specialists etc would choose the 9 best designs. He added that the tender process for developing the designs would start.
By using efficient strategies for conservation, the lakes would be conserved and transformed into vibrant recreational spaces for the public. The CMDA officer then explained that the hydrological, ecological and sociocultural roles of the lakes would be studied and developed.
It is learnt that the conservation assets would include strengthening, increasing water holding capacity, reclaiming lands around lakes etc. The president of the association of professional town planners, Mr. KM.,Sadanand spoke about how the project must be public oriented.
