The two-day design conference, DesignCon 2019, which concluded here, called for the formulation of a master plan for design, construction, and a land utilisation policy for the State.
The meet also deliberated on future construction activities in the backdrop of the floods and rain-induced landslips in the State. Governments at the Centre and the State are yet to come out with a design policy.
Yet to be implemented
Though Parliament passed the Council of Architectural Act in 1970, it is yet to be implemented, A. Pradeepkumar, MLA, who took part in the discussions, said.
He also highlighted the need for implementing such a policy in consonance with the Rebuild Kerala Mission. The country should have a design philosophy in tune with its democratic culture. Based on that, both the Centre and the State should legislate a design policy, Mr. Pradeepkumar said.
KIIFB assistance
He added that the State government was planning to execute projects worth ₹5,000 crore through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The projects will be implemented in a transparent manner, exploring the possibilities of design and architecture.
However, Mr. Pradeepkumar said a section of bureaucrats was behind sabotaging proposals for a design policy.
Also, 90% of officials stubbornly stick to traditional methods of construction, he observed.
Anil Kumar, professor, department of architecture, National Institute of Technology-Calicut, said some local self-government bodies and elected representatives had taken initiative for developing new concepts for designing government buildings.
“But the mindset of officials of the Public Works Department should change. Bureaucrats should be not be wholly tasked with the implementation of KIIFB projects,” he added.
Architect Mujib Ahamed pointed out that over 35% of the GDP is set aside for design in foreign countries.
However, in India, it is just 3%. The government should outsource the services of design experts, he said.
