A Kochi memorandum

In this blog I have been dreaming of things that could promote Kochi on the global map and add to its attractivity. This post is a summary of some of these ideas that YOU could help float around and promote if you like them. Some appear obvious some less so.... Nothing really new but the combination works for making a citizen friendly global town.

General Infrastructure

- Obvious points : improve existing roads, make decent pavements and add street lights in dark spots (innovation would dictate solar, low consumption lighting; this is not necessarily expensive: you save on wires to bring electricity and on the electricity bill).

- One should not increase the number of vehicles in the city. The answer to traffic problems is not more input roads (like in some projects) but public transport: the Metro rail project needs to get really going and clearly needs to be expanded beyond the single current line. Waterways can be exploited more and services like the one from Ernakulam to Fort Kochi expanded.

- The Marine drive lake waterfront area is a very cute walking place. Think if this were expended to the many other waterfronts, attracting there also some economic activity. This also means extra pavements and lighting of course.

- In general promote initiatives in ecofriendly buildings using alternative power sources and nonpoluting transport.

- This is beyond a simply Kochi context: train transport of both people and goods. Modern fast trains are needed.


Education

- Its absurd to think that in a country of a billion people the current 8 IITs or even the 16 projected are enough. IITs are “Tech”, but one also needs solid, well equipped universities as places of general learning. Tech must not submerge everything else. Note that amongst various factors which makes IITs good is a very simple one: they select the best students. There is a tendency to create research institutes that do graduate teaching, but not undergraduate teaching. While their results are good (again they select at entry) excellence in undergraduate teacing is essential. You don't construct buildings without a solid foundation.
Kochi could very well do with an IIT and a well funded and revitalised CUSAT.


Culture and Edutainment

- Modern Art Museum. As I have argued here, Kochi would gain considerably if it had an iconic, ground breaking modern art museum to showcase modern art from India and other countries. A modern building that would become a city landmark and great content.

- Movable art space. Its nice to have fixed museums, but they can not cater to everyone. Modern trends in creation of a movable art space associated with modern art museum should be followed for promoting accessibilty for many.

- The Kochi fort area is an ideal dream spot for promoting artistic activities. This could include space for young artists to setup workshops - not always easy to do this at home.

- Science museum. The establishment of the Kochi Oceanarium would be a great opportunity to create a Science city with a large hands-on Science and Marine Museum. As I have argued here, this would impact positively both economically and most importantly educationally.


Sports

- Globally attractive sports events would add greatly to promotion of the city. Two types of events can be envisaged in addition to existing ones:
- a yearly running Marathon across the city and perhaps a half marathon to start
- a yearly canoe/kayak marathon and sprints of various lengths could be implemented and use the natural diversity of Kochi waterways.

- Other fun sports events could be organised easily like the “waiter race” I described (not limited to waiters) or variation of this type.


Implementation : public – private

Clearly a number of these initiatives would greatly benefit from private endowments in particular the museums. These might be vital for rapid implementation of these initiatives. Help in promoting these ideas needed.....

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