Ho Chi Minh City: In sync with times

Last week, this column dealt with traffic congestion in a central business district like Dalhousie Square. This week, the subject is fire hazards.

Most old buildings in Dalhousie Square are prone to fire hazards. Not many of them have any adequate fire-suppression system.

There are four main components of fire suppression in a building: (a) sprinkler, smoke detector and fire alarm system installed on the ceiling, (b) fire hydrants and wet risers of adequate capacity near the staircases or public access routes, (c) adequate fire tanks on the roof or at the ground level and (d) enough staircases, ramps or other means of escape routes as specified in the National Building Code.

Too many alterations to incorporate the changes affect the architectural character of the buildings and, in many cases, completely destroy their unique features.

The lift shaft of Calcutta High Court building is a case in point.

Insensitive approach to design solutions by government architects have completely destroyed the building’s heritage character. These architects have not been able to add even one building of similar quality in the last 60 years.

Calcutta has expanded a lot in the last 30 years. It requires a lot more built-up space for its own administration than what is available. It is high time the state functions were combined in a Capitol Complex somewhere near the airport as part of a high-security township dedicated to administrative purposes.

Two Asian cities have recently undergone structural changes to accommodate the growing demand for government offices in better environments. They are Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Kuala Lumpur’s strategy for the 21st century is a Capital Corridor linking the old city centre to the new international airport. The satellite city of Putrajaya has been conceived as the new federal capital.

The extension of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is known as Saigon South. It is an 8,000-acre development for new industries, offices and residential districts.

In Calcutta, we have missed out on two golden opportunities. The opportunities offered by Salt Lake City and Rajarhat were sadly ignored by our planners.

But it may yet turn out to be a blessing in disguise. A new Capitol Complex can signify the aspirations of a resurgent state and inspire a new work culture.