10-point game results 4 – Housing

4 Housing

4.1.1                      Accommodation which can be rented. We have to put our heads together and come up with a way to finance housing which is owned by AV and is rented to Aurovilians and Newcomers. Having to build one’s house to live here is no longer workable if it ever really was. Having education as a main theme should make it easier to raise funds for housing

4.1.2                       Housing: Create a pool for the construction of housing with collective funds. Avoid relation architect-client.

4.1.3                       Promote rotation of houses so that the feeling of property gets diminished.

4.1.4                       Should stop Aurovilians buying properties out side of Auroville, if you have clear pictures about them need to be reviewed their aurovillian status.

4.1.5                       Since the buildings are coming up more and more let’s open one construction service team instead of giving to individual contractors, so the construction percentage will come to Auroville

4.1.6                       There should be a study to find out about the housing condition of Aurovilians who have been working for the community for at least 10 years and who are in need of better living conditions. Maybe some are too shy to ask or some have been asking but have not yet been helped. The Housing Service as it is doesn’t seem to be able to cope with such situations.

4.1.7                       More cooperative housing such as Creativity should be built as new arrivals are no longer allowed to build individual houses.

4.1.8                       Proper and decent houses or flats for every Aurovilian and also for the youth who want to leave their parents’ home or for the ones who come back after higher studies to experience Auroville.as adults.

4.1.9                       Have boats in AV for fishing, outing and just live in.

4.1.10                   Have free accommodation for young volunteers.

4.1.11                   Build more low-cost housing, implementing all important ecological guidelines. (See APDC).

4.1.12                   Housing unit – simple + comfortable –for everyone

4.1.13                   Get more housing going simple, collective and fast

4.1.14                   Housing (to promote development – right now the situation only blocks or discourages)

4.1.15                   Housing collective + economical, utilitarian ,elegant

4.1.16                   Better housing

4.1.17                   Low cost actual collective housing projects where by Aurovillians are part of the physical labour – collectively homes would be erected quickly.

4.1.18                   Affordable housing with user friendly architecture

4.1.19                  Housing. How to ensure decent and adequate accommodation for all community members?

4.1.20                   Less concrete buildings (more advanced, sustainable methods should be used)

OutreachMedia mandate/policy 2008

With a group of members from multi-cultural backgrounds, several equipped with multi-lingual abilities, OutreachMedia has thus far been successfully facilitating the visits of print & electronic media personnel, and acting in general as a liaison body between Auroville and the outside world. It has also helped with the logistics of receiving visitors to Auroville such as diplomats, scholars, writers, researchers, students, etc, providing them with the necessary help required for the purpose of their visit.

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2007 Residents’ Assembly Decision Making Policy

Decision making by the Residents’ Assembly

Universal suffrage

Decision making in the Residents’ Assembly of Auroville is based on the principle of universal suffrage. This means that each person has the right and privilege to participate in decision making, but that there is no compulsion to exercise this right.

Whether or not a person participates in decision making is a private matter. People should be respected for their participation as well as for their decision not to participate.

There may be many reasons why a person does not want to participate: for example the topic does not interest him or her; or one has pressing business elsewhere; or one is simply satisfied to leave the decision to others.

The principle of universal suffrage implies that each Aurovilian who wants to bring out a vote should be allowed to do so in the way which is most convenient to him or her. Some people prefer to cast a vote from their homes through email or by sending a signed note. Others may prefer to attend a meeting in person and bring out their vote. All options are equally valid.

Who can participate in decision making?

Only residents of Auroville can participate in decision making.

The Residents’ Assembly is defined in the Auroville Foundation Act as consisting of “all the residents of Auroville who are for the time being entered in the Register of Residents maintained under this section,” which means all Aurovilians of 18 years and older. It excludes therefore newcomers, long-term guests and friends of Auroville.

Decision making by consensus versus decision making through voting

Auroville prefers to make decisions through consensus instead of through voting. This is based on our spiritual aspiration, and on our endeavour to find a solution that can satisfy all. However, this attempt has also sometimes blocked situations from getting resolved.

The problems of everyday life have often many possible solutions, some equally good, and backed by equally valid arguments.

But if consensus cannot be found, a solution through voting is the only way out.

General meetings

In Auroville, everyone has the opportunity to give his or her views through the intranet. Opportunity should also be given to give these views a full and fair hearing. For this there should be one or more general meetings, where differing points of view can be considered and discussed. Any working group or group of people can call for and organize general meetings.

-.-.-.-

Method of Decision making by the Residents’ Assembly.

As approved by the Residents’ Assembly of August 13th, 2007

A. Calling and chairing of Meetings of the Residents’ Assembly

1)      Meetings of the Residents’ Assembly are called by the Residents’ Assembly Service

a.       either at the request of the Working Committee; or

b.      at the request of a recognised working group; or

c.       at the request of at least 60 residents.

2)      The Residents’ Assembly Service will ensure that meetings of the Residents’ Assembly are called with a clear Agenda stating the purpose of the meeting, and the decision(s) to be arrived at.

3)      The Residents’ Assembly Service will publish the Agenda of a meeting of the Residents’ Assembly in the News and Notes, the AVNet and on the mass bulletin of the community email service.

4)      There will be a minimum period of 2 weeks between the date of the publication of Agenda of the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly in the News and Notes and the date of the meeting.
Only in emergencies, as assessed by the Working Committee, will the Residents’ Assembly Service call a meeting within a shorter period.

5)      Meetings of the Residents’ Assembly are chaired by

a.       a member of the Residents’ Assembly Service; or

b.      a member of the Residents’ Assembly appointed by the Residents’ Assembly Service; or

c.       a member of the Residents’ Assembly Service together with a member of the Residents’ Assembly appointed by it.

6)      Meetings of the Residents’ Assembly are normally preceded by one or more general meetings where the topics can be discussed. Only in emergencies may the Residents’ Assembly Service call a meeting of the Residents’ Assembly without the matter having been discussed in one or more earlier general meetings.

B. Voting on proposals made to the Residents’ Assembly

1)      A resident of Auroville can vote on a proposal as outlined in the Agenda:

a.       In writing: via email or through a signed form sent to the Residents’ Assembly Service indicating the name of the person and the vote.
Such email or form has to be received by the Residents’ Assembly Service at the latest one hour before the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly.

b.      In person: by attending the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly and voting on a form distributed by the Residents’ Assembly Service in the meeting

2)      The Residents’ Assembly Service, assisted by three impartial Aurovilians as selected by it, will check if a person who has submitted a vote (in writing or in the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly) is a resident of Auroville and will count all votes. They will also ensure that the vote of a resident who has voted twice, in writing and in the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly, is discounted.

3)      The Chairperson(s) of the Residents’ Assembly will announce the outcome of the voting in the meeting as soon as all the votes cast in the meeting have been counted and the names of the voting residents been checked. The Chairperson(s) will then also announce the count of the votes that have been submitted in writing to the Residents’ Assembly Service in favour and against a proposal, and will announce the totals of all votes cast in writing and in the meeting.

4)      If the Chairperson(s) decides that there are complications with the counting of the votes, the results will be announced on the mass bulletin of the community email service the following day.

C. Decision making on proposals

The Chairperson(s) of the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly will declare a proposal accepted by the Residents’ Assembly if:

1)      The total number of the votes cast – in writing and in the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly – is at least 10% of the number of residents as recorded in the Register of Residents at the time of the meeting; and.

2)      A minimum of 50% of the votes cast is in favour of the proposal.

D. Notes of the meeting and voting records

1)      The Residents’ Assembly Service will compile the voting statements pertaining to a particular decision of the Residents’ Assembly in alphabetical order of names of the residents and ensure that the voting records are properly archived.

2)      The Residents’ Assembly Service will ensure that all meetings of the Residents’ Assembly are audio recorded and that such recordings are properly archived.

3)      The Residents’ Assembly Service is responsible for making the minutes of the meetings of the Residents’ Assembly and for publishing those minutes in the News and Notes and on the mass bulletin of the community email service.

4)      The Residents’ Assembly Service is responsible that decisions of the Residents’ Assembly are communicated to the Working Committee for further communication to the Secretary of the Auroville Foundation.

5)      A resident is entitled to inspect the voting records and get a copy of the recording of the meeting of the Residents’ Assembly at cost price to verify the accuracy of the minutes.

The Auroville Universal Township Master Plan

prepared by: Auroville Foundation
with the assistance of
Town & Country Planning Organization
Government of India
Ministry of Urban Development
& Poverty Alleviation		 
 This Master Plan is approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development
via letter No. F. 27-3/2000-UU, Dated 12th April, 2001		 
 INTRODUCTION:– Message from Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi,
  Minister of Human Resource
  Development,   Government of India. – Foreword by Shri Jagmohan
  Minister for Urban Development and
  Poverty   Alleviation, Government of India – Preface by Dr. Kireet Joshi,
  Chairman Auroville Foundation		 
 



 
 FOREWORD

The Auroville Universal Township envisaged by the Mother is one of the unique examples of manifestation of human unity in diversity. The township founded on a barren plateau devoid of any blade of grass in 1968 has become a green area shaded with a variety of trees and plants. The architectural designs, appropriate building technologies, conservation approach, rainwater harvesting, re-use and recycling of water resources, solid waste management, land re-generation, community participation are some of the areas where innovative models and techniques have been developed and adapted in the township.As per Charter, Auroville belongs to the humanity as a whole and the one who is to live in Auroville must be willing servitor of Divine Consciousness. It is in this background the growth of Auroville needs to be seen. The township designed for an ultimate population of 50000 in an area of 2000 ha. would be a viable functional entity. Although the character and set up of the township may not be the same as that of any other town of similar size, functionally it requires to be a self contained township. The Master Plan of the township has, therefore, rightly envisaged development of economic zone alongwith residential, cultural and institutional areas. The provision of green belt around the built up portion of the township would be an important environmental safeguard. Auroville is a different township from development management point of view and the Master Plan exercise has rightly recognised its uniqueness.I am sure, Master Plan would channelise the future growth and development of Auroville as per the envisioned charter. Its development may provide a good model for emulation in other towns and cities as well. Contributions made by the Resident Assembly and the various other Aurovilian Working Groups in formulation of the Master Plan are praiseworthy symbolising active involvement of community groups in Master Plan exercise. I compliment Town and Country Planning Organisation of this Ministry and Auroville Foundation for drawing the Auroville Master Plan of international significance.Dated : 25 Jan., 2001JAGMOHANMinister for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation,
Government of India

PREFACE


Sri Aurobindo and the Mother have diagnosed the contemporary crisis of humanity as an evolutionary crisis which can be resolved only if the consciousness of universal fraternity can manifest and bring about actualisation of human unity. In order to aid this difficult objective, the Mother founded Auroville on 28th February 1968 as a Universal Township, 150 kms. south of Chennai in south India and gave it a Charter. This Charter declares that Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole and that to live in Auroville one must be a willing servitor of Divine Consciousness. It further declares that Auroville will be the place of unending education and constant progress, a bridge between the past and the future, and that it will be the site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual human unity.

The Mother envisaged the Auroville township of an ultimate population of 50,000, with Matrimandir as its centre and soul. Since its inception, the township has been growing steadily and today it has about 1,500 residents representing 35 nationalities.

The Auroville Foundation Act, 1988, enacted by the Government of India, is one of the important milestones in the development of Auroville. It provides a statutory support for preparation of Master Plan of Auroville to ensure orderly and planned development of Auroville. The Auroville township is designed to be in an area of 2000 ha. in a circular form of which about 850 ha. have already been acquired by the Auroville Foundation. The Master Plan envisages systematic development of the Township and prevention of any non-conforming developments in the area. The Master Plan based on the original concept given by the Mother envisages intertwining of four major functional zones, namely, Residential, Cultural, International, and Industrial, — around a Peace Area in the centre. About 25% of the township would be built up portion, surrounded by a green belt based on the concept of eco-friendly and sustainable development.

Innovative models and techniques in the field of afforestation, land development, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, building technology, community participation, energy saving, etc; incorporated in the Master Plan would be integral to the township development and management. Integrated urban and rural development strategies have also been envisaged.

Auroville is a unique township, the fundamental thrust of which is centred on research, which is comprehensive and which transcends all creeds, all politics, and all narrowing ideologies. It encompasses the areas of the East and the West and human unity, of science and spirituality, of arts, crafts and technologies, and of all that pertains to the evolution of humanity through a process of evolutionary mutation leading up to the development of a new humanity or superhumanity. It can be described as a Centre of Advanced Research.

I appreciate the contributions made by the Residents Assembly of Auroville and its various groups. I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to the Planning Team of the Auroville Foundation, Mr. Roger Anger, Chief Architect of Auroville, and a number of individuals who have worked day and night to bring the Master Plan (Perspective: 2025) into its final form. I am particularly thankful to Shri G. Dattatri, Urban Advisor, who has inspired our Planning Team and devoted a good deal of his precious time by visiting Auroville frequently and working on this Master Plan (Perspective: 2025).
My special thanks are to Shri D.S. Meshram, Chief Planner, Town and Country Planning Organisation, Government of India, and his colleagues, Shri J.B. Kshirsagar and Shri M.L.Chotani for their advice and collaboration in formulating this Master Plan (Perspective: 2025).

It would be relevant at this stage to record with great satisfaction that in our endeavours to develop the township and particularly in promoting and in establishing foundation for sustainable development, we have received great support from the Governmental and Non-governmental Organisations, besides national and international agencies. It is also noteworthy that UNESCO has passed five Resolutions at its General Conferences to express its support to the establishment and promotion of Auroville. I would also like to record with gratefulness the constant goodwill, encouragement and involvement of the Government of India, as also of the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

I am happy that this Master Plan (Perspective : 2025) has been prepared jointly by the Auroville Foundation and the Town and Country Planning Organisation of the Union Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation.


KIREET JOSHI
Chairman
Auroville Foundation

Constitution Of Auroville Town Development Council

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION)

AUROVILE FOUNDATION, AUROVILLE-6051 01.

STANDING ORDER NO.6/201 1 dated 1’t May 2011

CONSTITUTION OF AUROVILLE TOWN DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Whereas the Mother had envisaged Aurovitte as a universal township dedicated to

human unity and international understanding and as further described by her in ,.A

Dream” 11954), the Auroviue Charter (1968), the message “To be a True Aurovilion”

(‘1970) and the Mother’s numerous other messages and writings on Aurovitte.

Whereas Section 16(‘1) read together with Section ’17(e) of the Auroville Foundation

Act, ‘1988 and subsection 5(1)(b) of the Auroyitte Foundation Rutes, 1997 empowers

the Governing Board to constitute committees for the efficient discharge of its duties and

performance of its functions, and also prepare, in consultation with the Residents,

Assembly, the Master Plan for the international cultural township of Auroville.e

(hereinafter referred to as “the Township”) and ensure its development so planned;

Whereas the Governing Board, in terms of Section ’17(e), ibid, approved the Auroville

Universal Township Master Plan (Perspective 2025), hereinafter referred to as “the

Master Plan”, prepared by the Residents’ Assembly of Auroville;

Whereas the Master Plan was approved by the Central Government, vide Government

of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of Higher Education)

Letter No. F.27-3 /2000- UU dated 12 Aptil 2001, and was notjfjed by Aurovltte

Foundation, with the approval of the Central Government, in the Gazette of India

(Part lll) on 16th August 2010; and

Whereas Master Plan prescribes the “Town Development Council” as the body for

implementing the Master Plan with an organisafiona[ structure as in Appendix V of the

Master Plan;

Now, therefore, the Governing Board, in terms of the provisions of the Master plan,

constitutes the “Town Development Council” (hereinafter referred to as,,the

Council”) in consultation with the Residents’ Assembly through the Working

The committee, for the purpose of implementation of the Master Plan which includes but

is not limited to (1) planning, developing and building of the Township, (2) socioeconomic planning and development; (3) implementing and monitoring of

development plans; and (4) mobilizing resources and funding the planning and

development of the Township, subject to the following provisions:

1. CounciI Membership :

The Council shall consist of a maximum of 15 members nominated by the

Residents Assembly through the Working Committee from among the Residents’ of

Auroville, whose names are entered in the Register of Residents maintained in terms

of Section 18(2) of the Auroville Foundation Act1988 and approved and notified by

the Governing Board and shall include members representing functional areas and

nominated members as given below:

functional Areas (’13 members):

– Town Planning

– Urban Design

PhysicaI infrastructure

– Sociallnfrastructure

Economic Development

Applied Research on Sustainable Development

Resource Mobilisation

– implementation and Monitoring

Greenbelt, Green Zones and Parks

– Communication

Nominated Members (2 members):

– Nominee of the Governing Board

Nominee of the Working Committee

2. Office Bearers :

The Council wi[[ have three office-bearers namely one Chairperson, one MemberSecretary and one Member in charge of Finance & Accounts. The Governing Board

nominates Shri Balakrishna Doshi, to be their nominee in the Town Development Council.

The Council shall select these three office-bearers from amongst themselves and

decide on the levels of delegated authority to these office bearers.

3. Term of Office:

(a) The term of office of

notification by the Governing Board

member shall be 4 years from the date of

his/her nomination by Working Committee;

the term, the new members

induction and transition

smooth transition;

a

of

(b) Six months before the exp -y of each 4 year

of the Council will be nominated and will commence an

the process with the then-existing Council members to ensure a

(c) The Governing Board may, in consultation with the Working Committee,

may re-appoint functional-area members to the new succeeding Council, so as to

ensure continuity of work. The re-appointment of council members will be subject

to the eligibility criterion as per clause 3 (d) below,

(d) A member shall be eligible for re-nomination for a maximum of one term

in succession and for subsequent nomination on the same terms after a lapse of 2

terms from the last one; and for subsequent nomination on the same terms after a

lapse of 2 terms from the last one.

4. Cessation of Membership:

A member shall cease to be on the Council: (‘1) if he/she is continuously absent

from Councit work or Aurovitte for more than six months; (2) if he/she resigns in

writing and the resignation, recommended by the Council, is accepted by the

Governing Board; (3) if the Governing Board, on the recommendation of the Council,

for good and sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing, removes a member;

5. Nominations and Vacancies:

Members of the Council will be appointed by the Governing Board jn consultation

with the Resident’s Assembly through the Working Committee. lf a casual vacancy

is caused for any reason, the Governing Board, in consultation with the Working

Committee may appoint a member for the vacancy for the remaining period of

the term. For the appointment of members of the Council, the Governing Board

will issue suitable Office Orders from time to time. Such Office Orders will

contain the names of the members, their terms and the functional areas of

responsibility.

6. Functions and Responsibilities:

The Governing Board herewith empowers the Council, being the prescribed

Authority as mentioned in the Master Plan, with the following functions and

responsibilities:

(a) Ensure that the Township is planned, developed, and built genera[y

according to the “Galaxy Concept” approved by the Mother and the Master

Plan to manifest the Mother’s vision of Aurovjtte within a time frame;

(b) Prepare and approve Zonal Plans, Local Area Plans and 5 year Detailed

Development Pl.ans for building the Township in a time-bound manner;

(c) Review and update the Master Plan every’15 years with the first such review

to take place in 2025;

(d) Prepare and approve Development Plan Regulations (BuiLding By-taws) as

well as give Building Permissions and Completion Certificates;

(e) Prepare and approve budgets, estimates, planning schedules, work plans and

work competition schedules;

(f) Assist in raising or raise funds for planning, developing, and building the

Township including the consolidation of Land required for the purpose. The

funds so raised shall be deposited in the Aurovitte Unity Fund and disbursed

to the CounciI for the realisation of approved development plans;

(g) Secure the services of town planners, urban designers, engineers, architects,

contractors, surveyors, consultants, legal advisors, and such other experts

and professionals from within and outside Aurovitte as may be necessary

from time to time and on such terms and conditions as may be decided by

the Council;

(h) Prepare and implement communication and consultation processes that

encourage an active, constructive and participatory involvement of Aurovjtte

residents in the implementation of the Master Plan;

(i) Constitute functional teams, working groups, project teams, and other

resource groups as may be necessary from time to time on such terms and

conditions as may be decided by the CounciU

U) Secure, where necessary, the required recognition or endorsement from the

appropriate central, state, Local or district government authorities for the

implementation of the Master Plan in consultation and cooperation with the

Secretary, Auroville Foundation;

(k) Prepare rules and regulations for ensuring enforcement of the Master Plan

with the approval of the Governing Board.

7. AdYisory Committee:

The Governing Board wiLl. constitute the TDC Advisory croup (TAG) comprising up

to 7 members including the Director, Town and Country Planning, Government of

Tamil Nadu, to advise the Governing Board and the council on matters relating to the

Master Plan, including, but not limited to, the preparation of Detailed Development

Plans and the monitoring and review of planning and development progress.

8. Accountability and Reporting:

(a) The Council shall be accountable to the governing Board, through the

Working Committee, and shall submit to it a faithful and true account of its activities,

including income and expenditure as and when required by the Governing Board.

(b) The Council shalt also submit a faithful and true account of its activities

to the Residents’ Assembly, through the Working Committee, as decided from time to

time-

(c) The Council shall publish an annual report on the progress in

implementing the Master Plan.

9, lnternalManagement:

The Council shall determine, with the approval of the Governing Board through

the Working Committee, its internal working procedures in all respects not

inconsistent with the Auroville Foundation Act, ‘1988, the Aurovitte Foundation Rutes,

1997 and the provisions of this Notification. The Council shall provide a copy of its

internal management and financial processes manual to the Working Committee and

the Governing Board for information.

10. L’avenir d’Aurovitle

Since the name “L’avenir d’Aurovitte” was given by the Mother for the

Township Planning, developing and building the organisation; the Council shall retain

it and may use the expression “Auroville Town Development Council – L’avenir

d’Auroille” in its internat communications.

From the date of the constitution of the Council, the committee known by the

name of “L’avenir d’ Aurovitte” and constituted by the Governing Board by its

Standing Order No. 1/2008 dated 11 March 2008, and the connected office Orders,

shall cease to exist and function and its roles and responsibilities shall be taken over

by the Council. I

‘1 1. Amendments to the Notification

The Governing Board, in consultation with the Working Committee, may amend,

from time to time, any or att of the provisions of this Standing Order.

12. This Standing Order is issued with the approval of Chairman, Aurovitte

Foundation and shall come into force with immediate effect

(M. Ramaswamy)

Secretary