The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is working on a new law to safeguard the city’s deteriorating heritage structures. This legislation aims to strike a balance between heritage conservation and property owners’ financial interests. Owners of heritage buildings will be able to benefit from Transferable Development Rights (TDR) under this proposed law.
The draft legislation has been prepared and sent to the state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department for approval, as per senior KMC officials. The law, once passed by the state Assembly, will be presented to the Mayor-in-Council for implementation. However, enforcement may be delayed until after the upcoming Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections in November.
Many owners of heritage properties struggle with the high maintenance costs of preserving old structures. While they receive concessions, these are often inadequate, leading to neglect and decay of heritage buildings. The proposed law aims to address this issue by allowing owners to monetize unused development potential without compromising the heritage status of their properties.
Civic officials believe that the TDR model can prevent the replacement of heritage structures with commercial complexes or high-rise buildings. Owners of heritage buildings will receive additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) equal to twice the size of their property. This extra development right can be used on another owned parcel of land or sold to developers, with the generated funds primarily allocated to restoration efforts.
Inspired by London’s TDR mechanisms, the draft law proposes a phased approach. Owners can first sell part of the additional FAR to fund restoration work and then monetize the remaining development rights after completing renovations. Kolkata currently boasts about 1,400 heritage structures, with varying levels of protection based on their grade classification. The new legislation aims to provide a sustainable solution for conserving the city’s architectural heritage while easing the financial burden on property owners.
