The commercial capital of Kerala and the cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Cochin is a mesmerizing blend of cultures. It has been the most sort after destination by sea-farmers and traders who later on settled on this enchanting land. Blessed with one of the finest natural harbours, the city of Cochin is rightly called ” The Queen of The Arabian Sea”.
Cochin is surrounded by several cities of monumental value, such as the Fort Cochin and Mattanchery area, that take you to a different world. The Chinese fishing nets, the Jewish Synagogue, the Dutch palace, the Portuguese and British Architecture, all finely blend with the rich heritage of the land, intricately woven folklore and fact.They probably have the best preserved history of colonial times.
The c-hed has prepared and submitted a project proposal for the development of ‘A Heritage Walk’ for Fort Cochin and Mattanchery area with the support of Ms. Petra Boekstal, a scholar from Netherlands. The prepared project proposal is being processed by the Dutch Embassy for financial assistance.
Completed Projects
- Thevara-Perandoor Canal Survey Report
As part of the rejuvenation plan of the city’s longest canal, the Thevara – Perandoor Canal, a total survey of the canal was conducted by the SCMS Water Institute and a preliminary report prepared. The report was handed over to the Secretary, Kochi Municipal Corporation in the presence of Mayor and other officials and delegates
- Edapally – Vytilla National Highway Beautification
The National Highway stretch from Vytila to Edapally is one of the most frequented public spaces in the State of Kerala. This broad stretch which passes through the heart of the Cochin city also plays an important role in regulating and decongesting the traffic conditions of the Cochin city. The Kochi Municipal Corporation has been
- Broadway Urban Renewal, Ernakulam Market Urban Renewal and Renewal of Pond and Waterways to the Pond
One of the most important projects carried out by the c-hed is the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the above mentioned Broadway and Ernakulam Market Heritage Urban Renewal Project. The c-hed had been entrusted with the task of preparing the DPR of the above project by the Kochi Municipal Corporation. With the support
- Master Plan preparation of Cochin City
Under the c-hed’s initiative a national workshop on formulation of vision document and strategic plan for Cochin City with a vision period of 20 years was organized in the year 2003. The recommendations of this seminar were the basis of the Vision Document prepared for Cochin City. On the basis of this vision document the
- Preparation of City Development Plan for Cochin City
Cities are rightly called the economic generators of a country. For sustaining their growth the cities have to be efficient and competitive. In order to equip the city face the challenges of urbanization, proper and efficient system needs to be introduced. Cochin, the commercial capital of the state of Kerala has been growing rapidly. It
- Pallath Raman Memorial Cultural Centre – Public Space Landscape at Fort Cochin Heritage Zone
Pallath Raman Memorial is a public space located in one of the oldest part of the city, in Veli- Fort Cochin. Owned by the Kochi Municipal Corporation and operated through c-hed, it is a part of the Heritage Zone and is adjacent to many historical monuments and structures. During our effort to conserve and exhibit
- Mangalavanam Conservation Project
An ecologically sensitive small patch of mangrove forest and nesting grounds for a variety of migratory birds, Mangalavanam is the green lung of Cochin City. It has stood sentinel in the muddy waters near the city coast, trapping pollutants washed down from the land into the bay waters. An ecologically sensitive area, it is home to
- Padmasarovaram – Proposal for Cultural Public Space in Cochin
The much needed requirement for Urban Public Spaces for the City of Cochin, which is otherwise getting reduced to the Parks on the western water edge of the city, is alive with new rays of hope. Padmasarovaram is conceived primarily to address the issue of lack of city level public space in the dense urban
- Vernacular Mosques of Cochin City
Cochin has long been one of the important trading centers of India, attracting seafarers and traders from far and wide. This historic port-city on the Malabar coast in the state of Kerala, has some of the very first vernacular mosques, which reveals a distinctive bequest. The surviving mosques of Cochin are a part of the
- Tree Census
Nature’s wonder and a gift to mankind, trees are priceless and the valuable assets necessary for the very existence of any living creature. They are essential to life and form the ground troops of food chain. As a part of the green drive of the Kochi Municipal Corporation a tree census programme was coordinated by
- JnNURM Projects
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission – JnNURM A massive city-modernization scheme launched by the Govt. Of India under the Ministry of Urban development, JnNURM, aims to improve the quality of life and infrastructure in the cities. This mission hugely relates to the development of the cities, aiming at creating economically productive, efficient, equitable and
- Conservation and Development Plan – for the Heritage Zone of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery
This is one of the biggest heritage conservation projects conceived to protect the rich cultural and natural heritage of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery. The project was initiated by the c-hed and the UNESCO has given full support and assistance in the preparation of DPR for the above and the implementation of the same. The experts
- Cochin City Heritage Base Map
The city of Cochin, well known for its rich heritage and pluralistic culture, has been influenced by various cultures and nationalities, leaving their impressions in the fields of architecture, arts, crafts, cultural and heritage institutions. Tracking and documenting of heritage footprints of a city is an important task. Documentation and listing done in this regard is of great significance
- Project for Evolving a System for Managing Plastic Waste in the City of Cochin
The popularity of plastic bags has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of bags found dumped in open grounds or water bodies. Apart from dumping, another method of disposal of plastics currently in vogue in the city is burning in open heaps which releases harmful dioxins into the atmosphere. The Kochi Municipal Corporation
- Management of Libraries under the Kochi Municipal Corporation
The only true equalizers in the world are books; the only treasure-house open to all comers is a library; the only wealth which will not decay is knowledge; the only jewel which you carry beyond the grave is wisdom. – J.A. Langford Libraries are heaven for students, teachers and simply to all those who love
- Climate Change
The climate is changing and the earth is warming up. Significant and lasting statistical change in distribution of weather patterns have been noticed and these changes in large are found to originate from human activities. Climate change has been recognized as a major concern for countries throughout the world, for both industrialized and developing. c-hed
- Integrated Conservation and Development of Ernakulam Heritage Zone – Central Area
This is one of the principal projects that the c-hed had undertaken to conserve and develop the Ernakulam Heritage Zone which is the heart of today’s City of Cochin. Most work places such as administrative and institutional centre and market places are located here. It is the central spine, identified as an area of intense
- Quality of Water and Ground Water Level
With a rise in population the demand for water is ever increasing. The ground water resources play an important role in meeting the drinking water purpose of a large populace. But these resources needs to be managed judiciously in order to ensure adequate supplies of dependable quantity, quality of ground water. Reduction in rainfall and
- Impact of Development on Backwaters
The costs of Kerala is bordered by 29 – backwaters running parallel to the shoreline. The water quality of these backwaters is deteriorating due to population explosion, rapid urbanization, industrialization, silting and agricultural activities. The city of Cochin has a good network of inland waterway system consisting of backwaters, canals and chain of lagoons. National
- Study on Soil Erosion and Deposition
A leading seaport since the 14th century, Cochin is the coastal city of Kerala with multi-cultural population. Being a dynamic coastal region, city’s coastal area is prone to erosion and deposition at different locations. Many studies indicate that a major stretch of Kerala’s coast line is eroding. The coastal areas of this city are experiencing
- Dutch-Cochin Project formulation
The commercial capital of Kerala and the cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Cochin is a mesmerizing blend of cultures. It has been the most sort after destination by sea-farmers and traders who later on settled on this enchanting land. Blessed with one of the finest natural harbours, the city of Cochin is rightly called ” The
- Digitilization of Classrooms – Smart Class Room
We are living in an age of technology where technological advances are necessary for students, teachers and schools to compete with the developed countries. With an aim to reap the maximum benefits of modern technological advancements, the city administration decided to include the Project ” Smart Classroom” in its budget for the year 2012-2013. The c-hed had prepared
- Management of Cultural Institutions
Cochin has a spectacular heritage of cultural expressions across many art forms and customs. The city has a secular, multicultural and diverse community. Amidst all major developments, the need for preserving, promoting and propagating the rich culture, tradition and heritage of the city is necessary. The role played by cultural institutions in this regard is
- Gandhi Statue Restoration at Gandhi Square, Petta junction
The Gandhi Square at Petta Junction, Tripunithura came into existence when the citizens of that area had placed a photo on the pedestal after the Mahatma was assassinated on January 31, 1948. Later on this photo was replaced by a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. With time, the Gandhi Square began to see an immense increase
- Disposal of used Sanitary Napkins in schools
The proper and safe method of disposal of used sanitary napkins has been a major hurdle faced by city administrations the world over. Used sanitary feminine napkins are usually considered as residual waste, that is not compostable or recyclable and, therefore goes to dump-sites and landfills. It plays a major role in the clogging of
- Built Heritage Conservation Projects
The city of Cochin revels in being a metropolitan where diverse cultures coexist without tampering the rich history of the city. Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are historic towns brimming with tales of myriad seafaring visitors from around the world who arrived here for trade and eventually settled down on these charming lands. It is home to many