The term paper studies the Impacts of Density, Built Up & Floor Area on the Living conditions of a Slum in Coimbatore, India. The parameters of density, built up area, floor area and its ratio along with the density greatly influence a morphology of any subsystem. The study attempts to look into these influences that the parameters create on a slum subsystem as these parameters affect the living conditions, its quality of living, demand for a particular area, the domain of people the area includes and ultimately the city as a fabric.

1. Impacts of Density, Built Up & Floor Area on the Living Conditions in a Slum
Poduval Dhanya Pravin, M.Planning (Housing), 2nd Semester, SPA - Delhi
IMPACTS OF DENSITY, BUILT UP
AND FLOOR AREA ON THE
LIVING CONDITONS OF A SLUM –
CASE OF RAJIV GANDHI NAGAR,
COIMBATORE.
Abstract: The parameters of density, built up area, floor area and its ratio along
with the density greatly influence a morphology of any subsystem. The study
attempts to look into these influences that the parameters create on a slum
subsystem as these parameters affect the living conditions, its quality of living,
demand for a particular area, the domain of people the area includes and
ultimately the city as a fabric.
1. Introduction to the Case
The locality of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in Ammankulam Area of Puliakulam, Coimbatore
is a slum of roughly 70-80 years old in the Central zone of the city. It lies along the State
highway 162 near the Sanganur Stream. The settlement is connected to the city
centre through this highway which passes through the city.
The area is bound by the Ammankulam Housing unit constructed under the TNUDP
Phase 3 and the BSUP schemes for relocation. The Ammankulam road slum is to the
north of the settlement with group housing constricted by private developers in the
close vicinity. The schools run by the corporation, a public school and the Coimbatore
Kidney Centre is adjacent to the area.
1.1. Settlement
Profile
The settlement has been
benefitted by the EIUS
schemes undertaken in
the 1980’s, renewing &
providing the
infrastructure and
physical amenities such
as the construction of
roads, community toilets,

2. Impacts of Density, Built Up & Floor Area on the Living Conditions in a Slum
Poduval Dhanya Pravin, M.Planning (Housing), 2nd Semester, SPA - Delhi
community water posts, provision of drinking water and electricity amongst other
amenities. The BSUP scheme vertical of in situ up gradation of the house has been
carried on in majority of the houses in the settlement. This has ensured majority of the
houses to be pucca structures. Very few structures in the area are semi pucca
structures due to this implementation. Even though the BSUP houses provide a
conventional pucca structure to the settlement, the structures lack in natural light and
ventilation due to its layout and morphology. The settlement is prone to floods every
monsoon due to its topography and stress on infrastructure. This causes in the
construction of high plinths in the area.
The slum has 80% of pucca houses and is devoid of major neighbourhood green
areas. The structures are ground and double storey structures ranging from exclusive
rooms to 3 BHK. The rental value for the structures range from 3000/- to 4500/-.
1.2. Infrastructure Profile
Daily Supply of wash water by municipal water posts for an hour in the morning
Weekly supply of drinking water for 2 hours by tankers available from the municipal
corporation. One stand post is available for about10-15 units. The shortage of water
has forced the dwellers to store water in drums and buckets, making drums and stores
as spill over on roads
The U shaped open drain existing in the settlement are along the roads. But its
coverage is fragmented, hence certain areas in the settlement are without a drain.
The area gets flooded every rain season due to clogged drains and the topography
of the settlement on its context. The individual houses in the area have been provided
electric supply by the TNEB. The street lights are provided along the road.
Majority of the dwellers have a secure land tenure provided by various schemes
mentioned earlier. About 20% of the dwellers are living here on rent.

3. Impacts of Density, Built Up & Floor Area on the Living Conditions in a Slum
Poduval Dhanya Pravin, M.Planning (Housing), 2nd Semester, SPA - Delhi
2. Understanding the Development Controls in the Area
The area is analysed for built up area on 3 levels; settlement level, cluster level & plot
level. A comparison of the levels would bring understanding of the dearth of open
space at different levels of the fabric.
Table 2.1: Major Statistic of the Fabric
Total Area of Layout 4.3 Hectare
Total Population 1505
Number of HH 469
House Hold Size 3.21
Area of Land / Person 28.5 sq mt.
Density of the area 350 pph
Average Built Up Area of DU 25
Average number of floors 1
Gross built up area of unit 25 sq mt.
Area per person/Gross Built up of Unit 7.8 sq mt.
As seen in the figure below, the built void ratio is 1.5 where the built up area is 1.5 times
the void space. The red dashed line represents the definition of the site boundary,
whereas the black shows the built spaces irrespective of the function of use. The open
spaces, circulation spaces and the area under roads form the void which is
represented in white.
It is visible here
that the
proportion of
built is much
higher than
that of the
void. This in
turn affects
the road
width,
provision of
infrastructure
amenities and
the number of
floors in the
area. This
causes tiny
alley ways
and by lanes
and dearth of
social infrastructure amenities. The sharing of majority of the physical infrastructure put
Figure 2.1: Settlement level Built up void relation (Ground Coverage)

4. Impacts of Density, Built Up & Floor Area on the Living Conditions in a Slum
Poduval Dhanya Pravin, M.Planning (Housing), 2nd Semester, SPA - Delhi
a high pressure on the infrastructure provided. It proves to be insufficient in such a
case.
With a density of 350 and a built void ratio of 1.5 the plot sizes are of a higher range
that the contemporaries elsewhere in the other metro cities in the country.
The cluster density and built void
ratio is majorly dominated by the built
space, trees and alley ways & roads
in that order. The fabric is punched
with spores of open space around
trees.
The plots level built void relation
shows the 100% ground coverage on
the plot. In such cases, which is a
common nature in this subsystem, the
plot ceases to exist and the built up is
the most dominating character in the
fabric. This has a lot of repercussion in
the development and quality of living
in the fabric in turn. The plot sizes turn out to be as small as 80 to 100 sq ft. which poses
as major threat to the congestion in the area. This area is also devoid of any setbacks
because of its ground coverage.
The ground coverage, the nil
setback, the narrow alley ways and
by lanes and the spill over of parking
on the threat of a fire or a calamity
and on the environmental,
sustainability effects in the area.
The 100 % GC. Makes sure the built up
is devoid of natural light and
ventilation where the road widths
also add to this problem.
Table 2.2: Area Distribution of the Fabric
Category Area Percentage
Total Area of Layout 4.3 Hectare 100%
Area under Roads 1 Hectare 23%
Area under Circulation 0.4 Hectare 9.3%
Area under Open Space 0.29 Hectare 6.7%
Area under Amenities 0.32 Hectare 7.4%
Built up Area 2.29 Hectare 53.6%
As seen in the table above, the percentage of built up are is the highest in the fabric
whereas the least is the percentage of open spaces in the area. The area under
Figure 2.2: Cluster Level Built Void Relation (Ground Coverage)
Figure 2.3: Plot Level Built Void Relation (Ground Coverage)

5. Impacts of Density, Built Up & Floor Area on the Living Conditions in a Slum
Poduval Dhanya Pravin, M.Planning (Housing), 2nd Semester, SPA - Delhi
circulation including the roads is as high as 32.3 % which shows the organic nature
and inefficient use of land as a resource.
Figure 2.4: Functional Nature of the Fabric
This breakup and its spatial understanding exemplifies the dearth of open recreational
spaces and its need seen in the spill over and dual use of the circulation as open
space in the case.
The need for a formal commercial units seen in the fabric by the use of live + sell units
or shop houses along the periphery of the settlement.
3. Implications of Socio-Economy and the Building
Parameters to the Living Conditions
The socio economic characteristics of a 70-80 year old slum pocket with in situ up
gradation undertaken through the years. Majority dwellers work in private offices as
clerks and technical help. Working women were very low. About 80% women are
home makers or are self-employed with home based industries such as pickle making
and papad making. Majority of the area is dominated by Hindu religion dwellers of
backward caste and about 20% Christian population with no major spatial distinction
between the two.
As seen above in the paragraph above, the economic status of the old slum has seen
a rise from the low income sector to the a few dwellers in the middle income category.
It needs to be understood that with social mobility come the factor of incremental
growth and greater aspirations. With a density of 350 pph. Which is higher compared

6. Impacts of Density, Built Up & Floor Area on the Living Conditions in a Slum
Poduval Dhanya Pravin, M.Planning (Housing), 2nd Semester, SPA - Delhi
to the other subsystems in the city of Coimbatore, a layout completely lacking
physical and social amenities and a 100% built up on the plot area provided with a
high stress on the infrastructure provisions, works out to be the last option for a city
dweller in Coimbatore for housing. This is a major cause of overcrowding in the area
adding to congestion no just on the unit level but also the fabric level. The lack of
technology and amenities have added to the housing maintenance and
expenditure. The built up percentage and the higher densities refrain the people in
the higher income strata from investing in the area. This phenomenon also causes
leapfrogging in the city. Also, the dwellers keep an aspiration to move from the area
for a betterment in the living conditions. The domain of people the area caters to
adds to the crime rate and negative activities in the area.