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Planning model for multiple hazard prone towns

Sep 2010 | No Comment

Planning model

After analyzing the earthquake and flood damage scenarios, the following planning model has been proposed:

The town should be prepared for the worst possible scenario taken here which is the flood level of 978’ (298 m) which is considered to be most likely to occur. The areas which are likely to be worst affected at this scenario are shown in Figure 10.

Parks and play grounds, wood lands and gardens should be located here. The people should be discouraged to make houses in these wards which come under flood affected low lying areas. The wards which come under flood affected low lying areas as mentioned above, which have soil conditions including the level of water table favorable to liquefaction or settlements under earthquake vibrations will have greater risk to buildings and structures so the existing structures should be relocated in the south western part of the town.

In all other wards flood resistant houses should be constructed by raising plinth level of houses above average flood level for which special permission should be taken from the municipal corporation. The density of some wards in the old city area should be frozen to avoid further congestion and to avoid major losses in earthquake or flood event.

Phase wise retrofitting of all the housing stock should be undertaken. As per the Earthquake Scenario, damage to houses may extend up to 73%. In view of such colossal damage, it is necessary to take immediate steps for earthquake safety of the area. As the area falls under Moderate Seismic Risk Zone, all the construction should be as per earthquake resistant building construction codes.

By developing the existing corridors of the city, development of safer areas should be encouraged, which will reduce further congestion of the old city areas. Development in the south-eastern side of the town should be encouraged by providing basic infrastructural facilities like roads, street lights, and water supply etc., coupled with lower land prices in these areas.

The height of Lendia Nala Bund should be increased as well strengthened and completion of the Kishanpur Nala bund with flood protection gates and pumps. Boulder pitched bund should be provided along the river (Figure 10) and there should be proper maintenance of the boulder pitched bund besides the river.

Input in to the master plan

The above mentioned model is proposed as an input in to the master plan. Since Master Plan is constituted under the Madhya Pradesh Nagar Tatha Gram Nivesh Adhiniyam, 1973, for including these inputs in the master plan some amendments should be made in the relevant sections of the Master Plan.

Conclusion

There are many other towns in the region which are earthquake as well flood prone; the methodology can be utilized to make planning model for them too. All over the world many more areas and towns are facing the similar situations, the above mentioned methodology can be utilized to make planning model for them too, to minimize the expected losses from earthquake and flood.

As per the outcome of the research, further research should be done for proper preparedness and response during earthquakes and floods. Contingency plan should be made for all the flood-affected wards. This must have the details of role and responsibility of concerned officers and peoples representative of the community. The identification of volunteers and other support groups should be properly ensured. The resources inventory should be regularly updated and circulated within the response groups. The stocking of essential food, search and rescue equipments along with identified temporary shelters must be clearly identified and should be available for emergency uses. Relief camps should be established in the hospital school/ college buildings of the respective adjoining wards which are not or least affected or having large open spaces. The availability and location of resources required for search, rescue and relief should be well documented. The database preparation, their updating should be done at regular interval. Ward level road network should be demarcated on map. This helps in selecting the shortest rout during crisis time for relief work. The individual houses and structures with detail information should be marked on maps so as to work out the damage potential at micro level. All lifelines and infrastructures with their priority should be demarcated on the ward maps.

References

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