Delhi Master Plan likely to allow studio, service apartments
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is planning to make a new provision in the Master Plan 2021 for introduction of studio apartments and service apartments. As per the proposal, studio apartments will be allowed to come up in residential zones while service apartments will be restricted to commercial centers.
According to the DDA’s proposal, it would be allowed to build service apartments and studio apartments in Delhi soon, which were not allowed till now. The new provision will be included in the chapter of shelter (group housing), which will allow for a premises serving as a residential accommodation for individual/family in the form of multi-purpose rooms.
The proposal will also allow a caretaker’s office, dining, retail shops and other facilities, depending on the requirement for up to 10 percent of the floor area. But, the provision will be set only after various checks within the residential premises: a minimum plot size of 2,000 sqm, maximum ground coverage of 33.3 percent, floor area ratio (FAR) 200 and two ECS (equivalent car space) per 100 sqm built-up area.
According to sources, the maximum size of the apartment should have a built up area of 645 sq ft (60 sq m) and plots should face road with a minimum width of 12 metre. A basement being used for parking, utilities and services will not be included in the FAR.
It has also been proposed that a provision for long-term (service apartments) and short-term accommodation has to be added in the Master Plan under the chapter on trade and commerce.
DDA officials explained that while service apartments are meant to serve as long-term accommodation, a hierarchy of guesthouse, lodging and boarding house/dharamshala/hostel has been proposed for low-cost short-term accommodation. But these proposals will be allowed during modification of existing and/or preparing schemes for commercial, industrial, public/semi-public and transport-use zones.
In case of service apartments in commercial centres, an FAR of 150-225 will be permitted. The DDA aims to introduce small, affordable units in Delhi similar to those in the NCR. A notice has already been issued inviting feedback from the public within 45 days and it will be processed further during the mid-term review, said the officials.
DDA has also proposed 34 more amendments for the Master Plan review, which aims towards enhancing services for disabled people. Recent figures show that 25 modifications have been forwarded to the urban development ministry of the state for final notification and about 64 are being processed further. Also, a new chapter on transit-oriented development will be added to the MPD 2021 and the chapter on environment is being redrafted. A policy on regularization of godowns in non-conforming areas is being discussed for possible modifications.
Studio apartments have been witnessing increasing demand in the recent years, especially in the prime cities with skyrocketing rents of residential units.These units are very much affordable than traditional apartments and hold their own advantages and disadvantages. Homebuyers find it easier to pay EMI for studio apartments instead of paying monthly rents for one bedroom apartments in major cities. Many buyers seem to be accepting the concept – ‘small is good’. As per experts, several potential buyers show less interest in acquiring vast floor spaces, which also includes extra effort and expense in their maintenance. This has paved way to the boom of the studio apartment trend.
Although the trend of studio and service apartments is being followed the most in Gurgaon and Noida, the nation’s capital has no such provision. According to experts, the trend has been observed in many countries, especially in cities where land scarcity is an issue. The demand for such affordable and compact housing has been rising in Delhi too.
Studio apartments mostly comprise of single large rooms which include bedroom, living and dining areas, with compact kitchens and bathrooms attached. Initially they were largely preferred by bachelors and students, but now even small families, software professionals, senior citizens are looking for studio apartments. Employees who keep changing places due to job transfers, students pursuing education in cities for few years, etc also prefer buying or renting studio apartments because of their affordability and convenience.
Demand for studio apartments and service apartments are high in the metros and tier 2 cities. Such units are being sold like ‘hot cakes’ during new launches of residential projects. Besides the middle and low income group of buyers, these units observe demand from rich people too, as they would like to invest in such projects as their second or third homes.
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