A Study on the Optimization of Floor Area Ratio (FSI) in the State of Kerala, India

Kerala is well known for its unique settlement pattern comprising the most part, a continuous spread of habitation. The notable urbanization trend in the Indian state of Kerala is urban spread rather than concentration which points out the increasing urbanization of peripheral areas of existing urban centers. This has made it difficult for the government to meet the needs of the urban population, such as providing them with affordable housing and infrastructural services to support their livelihood; this is a matter that necessitates policy attention to determine the optimum FSI value. Based on recent reports (Post Disaster Need Analysis—PDNA) from the UN addressing the unsafe situation of the carpet FAR/FSI practice in the Indian state of Kerala, showcasing the varying geological and climatic conditions should also be a matter of concern. The FSI (Floor space index—the ratio of the built-up space on a plot to the area of the plot) value is certainly one of the key regulatory factors in checking the land utilization for the varying occupancies desired for the overall development of a state with limitation in land availability when compared to its neighbors. The pattern of urbanization, physical conditions, topography, etc. varies within the state and can change remarkably over time which identifies that the current practicing FSI norms in Kerala do not fulfill the intended function. And the FSI regulation is expected to change dynamically from location to location. Thus to ascertain the optimum value of FSI/FAR of a region in the state of Kerala, the government agencies should consider the optimum land utilization for the growing urbanization; the other hand shall keep in check the overutilization of the same in par with environmental and geographic nature. Therefore, the study identifies parameters to consider for assigning FSI within the Kerala context. Through expert surveys, opinions arrive at a methodology for assigning an optimum FSI value to a region in Kerala.