IMPORTANCE OF HOUSING

Housing is an important indicator of the level of country’s social progress. Among the basic requirements for mankind to live, shelter takes the place next to food and clothing. Shelter is needed to protect oneself from natural calamities, wild, animals and from fellow beings. As a matter of fact, human beings started from caves and now live today in sophisticated air-conditioned houses.

Housing Programme

United Nations has recommended certain norms to improve the quality of life of human beings. The norms stipulated are: (i) settlement policies and strategies, (ii) settlement planning, (iii) institutions and management, (iv) infrastructure and services, (v) land and (vi) public participation.

Based on the above norms, housing programmes have to take the following steps:

1. Policy framework has to be formulated emphasizing human settlements with employment opportunities and economical growth.
2. Keeping community participation as a basic principal, development of human settlement should be approached.
3. On the national frame work, development of human resources should be attempted.
4. Financial resources have to be generated by mobilizing domestic household savings.
5. Provide shelter and infrastructure by developing new partnership.
6. Construction sector has to be promoted preferably utilizing the locally available materials.

14.2.2 Priorities in Housing

Major priority areas for housing and construction are briefed below:

1. Policy planning including programmes and projection of housing methodology with proper standards.
2. Development of land and infrastructure with related economies.
3. Development towards use of indigenous building materials and available equipment.
4. Labour organization and connected infrastructure for education and training.
5. Management of housing finance.
6. Necessary documentation, designation and application.

National Level Housing Organizations

There are different levels of housing organizations which involve in policy planning, stipulating standards, research on housing and building, etc.

1. National Building Organization (NBO)

National Building Organization established in 1954, works in close collaboration with the Planning Commission, Research Laboratories, Construction Departments, Housing Boards, etc. It is engaged in coordination and promotion of housing in practice.

2. Central Building Research Institute (CBRI)

The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) is essentially a research body set up by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, established in 1951. The institute involved research in seven research divisions, viz., building materials, soil engineering, efficiency of buildings, building process, plant and productivity, architecture and physical planning, fire research, and rural building. The results of research are used in practice.

3. National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC)

National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) is a Government of India enterprise. The mission of the company is to be an organization in construction engineering and consultancy services. It provides efficient and quality execution of projects, extends services conforming to international standards, and development of human resources. NBCC now occupies its rightful place as a pioneering construction organization in the country.

4. HUDCO

Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd., (HUDCO) was established in 1970. It is developed as a specialized organization which collects and disseminates information and ideas on improved designs, construction techniques, etc. It purely works with research organizations of national repute.

5. Hindustan Housing Factory

Hindustan Housing Factory is a Government of India organization involved in manufacture of pre-cast components. Because of cost and need for speedy construction, pre-fabrication techniques have developed. The factory has made remarkable progress in the construction of industrial structures by using pre-cast and pre-stressed concrete components. It works on partially pre-fabricated system and fully pre-fabricated system.