Smart City Kochi: TECOM closes contract with UK-based master planner Collin Buchnan

Tecom, the Dubai based promoters of the Smart CityIT Project in Kochi, yesterday announced they have closed their contract with the UK based Master Planning Consultants for the project.

SmartCity CEO Fareed Abdulrahman said once the Kerala Government resolves the 39 acres freehold land issue, and 'we mutually agree on the way forward, the Master Planners will recommence developing SmartCity Kochi'.

In a statement here he said, to protect the best interest of Smartcity Kochi and its stakeholders, and further to all activities that were put on hold until now, they have been forced to close the contract with the UK based consultants.

Reiterating their commitment to the project, Abdulrahman said they were sure that with the support of the Kerala government on pending issues, Smartcity will be a success.

Tecom wanted the Kerala government to take a decision by December this year on the 39 acres freehold land issue out of the 246 acres of land allotted to the project.

'The government has to assure us that whenever the masterplan is ready, we will get the freehold', CEO had said recently. The project is a joint venture project between the government and Tecom.

Kerala Fisheries Minister S Sarma, who is the Project Chairman, said the UK-based consultants were appointed after floating global tenders and as per the decision of the Board of Directors.

Sarma said he would discuss with Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and would seek a reply from Tecom on the reason for stopping the consultancy.

Source

Colin Buchanan appointed as SmartCity Kochi consultant

SmartCity Kochi has appointed Colin Buchanan, a noted U.K. multi-disciplinary consultancy, as the master planner for its upcoming project in Kakkanad. “We will continue to consult the State government and the local community on our joint IT/ITES vision”, said SmartCity CEO and Board Member of SmartCity , Fareed Abdulrahman.

Smart City Kochi is a joint venture company promoted by Dubai-based TECOM Investments, SAMA Dubai and the government of Kerala.

The project will come up in an area of 246 acres of which 100 acres have already been given the status of special economic zone (SEZ).

It would also see a record 90,000 jobs being created.

The decision to appoint the British firm was announced in a press release issued Sunday from Dubai by Fareed Abdulrahman, Smart City CEO and board member of Smart City Kochi.

"Smart City will develop the master plan in consultation with Colin Buchanan," said Abdulrahman.

"At the same time we will continue to actively consult the state government and the local community on our joint IT/ITES vision to ensure the success of the self-sustained business township."

State IT secretary Ajay Kumar told IANS: "Everything is going according to the plan of action that the board of directors have prepared. The board meets once every three months."

Colin Buchanan is one of the UK's leading multi-disciplinary consultancies dealing in town master planning, urban design, regeneration, economics and development, transport and traffic engineering and has extensive experience in implementing new and innovative solutions for its global clients.

Colin Buchanan, which has prepared a master plan for Smart City Malta, was recently awarded the NCE Consultants of the Year Award 2008 in recognition of its high profile projects like Crossrail, and ULTra Heathrow Terminal 5.


http://www.cbuchanan.co.uk