WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has initiated an inclusive approach to revising the Unified Building Byelaws (UBBL) 2021.
The Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) has issued a public notice seeking comments and suggestions on the proposed amendments. The amendments aim to streamline building regulations, enhance urban planning efficiency, and align policies with contemporary standards.
The draft amendments cover various topics, including Enhanced zoning regulations for residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
The draft has sought to introduce Active Frontage norms, mandating transparency in building facades for better interaction with public spaces. Revised land use regulations, especially for underdeveloped towns lacking Master Plans, new setback norms and updated provisions for multi-level parking, mixed-use zoning, and public open spaces.
Also, on adjustments to plot coverage, permissible floor area ratios (FAR), and minimum setbacks, emphasizing clarity and uniformity, provisions for malls, cinemas, and banquet halls with guidelines on FAR, parking norms, and building heights regulated by fire and emergency standards.
Suggestions on environmental sustainability are also sought, such as a minimum of public green spaces defined for urban plots and provisions for solar and wind projects in agricultural zones.
The revisions are geared toward making real estate competitive within the UT compared to other regions, ensuring clarity in rules while promoting sustainable development.
The department has emphasized the importance of stakeholder participation in shaping these amendments. Comments can be submitted via email to the Principal Secretary of H&UDD or through physical submissions at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar. The final date for submission is January 18, 2025.
