Page 136 - Built Expressions - Online Construction Magazine - November 2014 Issue

Green Strokes off to recharge the water table. The organic reed beds and aerators can clean the sewage entering the drains help replenish aquifers. An improved drainage integrated with rejuvenation and beautifcation of lakes, canal and riverfront will also help to prevent fooding of urban areas, damage to roads and buildings and reduce risk of Stepwell (Baoli) is an Important Feature of Delhi’s Water System water-borne diseases. The modern developments, such as high intensity roads and highways with bituminous charcoal or coconut water is used. For enhancing the along the rivers have cut off people from shells can be an easy and inexpensive reuse of treated wastewater, a phased the rivers. It is necessary to improve solution. Increasing focculants by programme should be developed. the accessibility to the river basin so as adding powered activated carbon There is a close relationship to bring people to the riverfront. The (PAC) or bentonite clay with doses between the landform and the river, riverfront can be activated by sports, varying from 25-30 mg/l and the use which collecting the water from picnic spots, fairs, bathing ghats, etc. of granular activated carbon can be many tributaries and drains moves Incongruous and people-repelling effective, subject to its cost. Raw water from the mountains to sea. Its maze- uses such as sanitary landfll sites, tanks and rainwater storage can be like structure refects and celebrates fash dumps, STPs. parking lots, power protected by clay beds, which should a kinesthetic and topographic plants, security lines, etc. located be secured from getting washed away abstraction of space. As such, river in or adjacent to River Zone should during the monsoons. The best way to can’t be separated from the network of be shifted. The existing industries, get rid of the pesticides (non-point) and canals and drains. These are valuable tanneries, dairies, waste dumps and industrial toxins is through “source hydrological and ecological resources, brick plants located in river zone protection measures”, i.e. protect the which with the indiscriminate should be closed. Infltration beds and catchments through methods such as urbanization have become the corridors buffer strips along the river can quickly organic or biological farming, etc. of flth, garbage, squatting, insanitation absorb and flter contaminants and Interceptor sewers along the major and beds of mosquitoes, stray and dead sediments in runoff and vegetation drains can help in checking the sewage animals. These canals and drains can can stabilize river banks from erosion. fowing into the river. This also needs be developed as green corridors with Trees provide ambient growth putting up Sewage Treatment Plants jogging tracks, pedestrian and cycle environment for fsh, migratory birds (STPs) and to augment the capacity pathways. Historical water system and and wildlife. Wildlife observation of existing STPs and recycling the structures, baoli, embankments, sluice areas, theme parks and interpretive effuents and wastewater. gates, lakes, catchment areas, canals, nature/ historical trails and walkways The unsewered areas, viz., slums, etc. can be protected by green portals can be planned in the riverfront which unauthorized colonies, resettlement and kept alive by the public activities. would highlight the river ecology colonies, villages, etc. can be provided The covering of the drains and canals and its signifcance. The riverfront with alternative, decentralized for construction of roads, parking, can be made lively and attractive by sewage systems. As river cleaning is markets, etc. should be avoided. The developing leisure, recreational and connected with the water, drainage, city drain in Pune and a proposed South boating activities. solid waste management and Greenways along Barapulla Nalla in A major concern of riverfront transport networks, all these needs New Delhi provide good examples of development should be enhancing the to planned together with appropriate converting dirty and flthy drains into walkability so that the public could technology and participation of the beautiful, lively areas by primary water approach and enjoy the riverfront. people, infrastructure agencies and treatment, remediation, desilting and This would also generate public other stakeholders. An important landscape development. participation and pressure to make aspect is to develop consistent and The pre-requisites for development the river clean and sacred, and also sturdy arrangements for the operation of drains and canals as landscape make the city more lively, healthy and and maintenance of the systems. For corridors include treating sewerage in sustainable. promoting recycling, incentives, such micro-STPs and wastewater recycling, The strategic phasing of the as rebate on property tax, subsidy on creating balancing ponds for rainwater, river project should start with the water charges, can be given if recycled porous paving and slow surface run preparation of an overall action plan PG 136 Built Expressions Vol: 3 Issue: 11 November 2014