Book Review – Housing and Community Planning, A.K. Jain, 2020, Discovery Publishing House, New Delhi, p 306, Rs. 3,000/-

New Delhi, March 18, 2020: The book ‘Housing and Community Planning’ by A.K. Jain in its 13 chapters provides a comprehensive narrative, which begins with a global overview of the housing. It discusses various housing programmes and draws a distinction between affordable housing and adequate housing. The author gives particular attention to housing issues of special groups such as the elderly, disabled, homeless, migrants and transit workers, students and single women. There is a discussion on the issues of social and physical infrastructure, construction technologies and building systems, rental housing, land and regulatory reforms.

The author discusses various housing programmes, including thr Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. According to A.K. Jain, the housing should be inclusive, adequate, affordable and sustainable. Housing should have a close linkage with livelihoods and employment, health-care services, schools, childcare centres and other social facilities. It should relate to local culture, climate and sustainability. In-situ upgradation of slums is always preferred due to its linkages with the local communities and jobs.

The book provides an incisive conversation on housing and community planning. More than 174 visuals and flowing simple language make the book reader friendly. The book deserves the attention of the organisations, architects, planners, engineers, researchers and all those involved with the field of housing.

JDS Sodhi

Architect Planner

New Delhi

jds@sodhis.org

Ph: 9818130441

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)