Planning suggestions for a greater Kochi

In a recent study a comprehensive survey has been done and relevant data has been collected to understand the growth of Kochi and its subsequent environmental impact.  Kochi has grown much in the last 20 years (1981 – 2001) than in any other time in the past.  The urban area has increased from 9718.25 hectares to 10700 hectares, while the population has increased from 7.5 lakh people to 13 lakh people (1981-2001). 
 
The land value is rising faster and the construction of new roads and flyovers has enabled the expansion of the city towards the south and the west.  Experts have suggested that regulating the city into different zones will help a lot when moving from unorganized unplanned development to a planned development model.  Kochi is known as a leading commercial center and thus almost all the leading businessmen in the state want to obtain a toehold in this most happening place in Kerala and thus stringent regulations are needed in Kochi that in any other city in Kerala.
 
Regulating Kochi into different zones would be ideal.  Zones for different purposes including industrial, residential, educational and other amusement activities will go a long way to raise the status of Kochi as a model city.  It will certainly help to address the pollution problem.  Since the sewage treatment plants in Kochi are now unable to manage the additional wastes generated by the increasing number of people in the city centers, the only way out is to educate the urban population to form groups and manage the wastes generated by each household in the immediate surroundings of the houses itself.
 
Flats in Kochi constructed by the prominent builders have already incorporated world-class sewage and waste water treatment plants.  Thus the final cost of an apartment being put up for sale by the leading builders is always on the higher side.  Customers exposed to luxury lifestyles in overseas destinations do not mind investing in such costly living spaces.