New Settlements
Development around new stations will follow a similar pattern, but because the developments are built from
scratch it will be easy to ensure a Green Web permeates the whole of these new green towns. The pedshed
principles require green wedges between the urban villages to be incorporated in new settlements and created
where possible in existing ones.
These wedges can be used to store and move away stormwater. Open cisterns to collect monsoon rains can
be surrounded by trees and used to farm fish, which eat mosquito larvae and minimise public health risks.
The experience of both walking and cycling within the pedsheds will be greatly enhanced by trees and protected
walkways. These will generate electricity from PV panels for night streetlighting while providing daytime shade
from the sun, and in monsoon periods, dry passage.
The typologies of family housing will vary, but generally terraced houses with sun shaded private courtyards for
cooking, and communal courtyards for kitchen gardens, offer the best means of providing suitable densities.
Sanitation for all can be built in from the outset, although it may not be western waterbourne systems due to
the water shortages. Instead composting or ‘worm farm’ toilets may be more applicable, as they provide safe
fertiliser for local use.
In many of the areas where the potential pedsheds are located the three landowners are: Indian Railways, the
City or District and private landowners. Pooling the land would enable all parties to participate in the uplift in
value, but requires a redistribution of plot ownership. Collectively the land is worth more than in independent
units, so all parties emerge from the pooling with assets that are worth more than their initial value and
the community also benefits.
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Tirunelveli, India >
