Often we are too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet. We get busy in solving the manifestations of the problem rather than looking at the cause.

A problem well stated is a problem half solved. We never look at the problems afresh - right from ground up. Surprisingly, attempts at identifying the root causes often leads to solutions so simple that you may even fear to express them.

I better dare to be naïve.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

MUBs - Multi Utility Buildings

Less can be More. Especially in the case of the Economy of a Country.
Positive GDP growth does not necessarily mean things are going good for the country. Countries can make a real progress by having a negative GDP.

You can consume less of everything - Steel, Wood, Cement, Power, Water, Food, Space and still be happy and actually growing.

For that to happen one way is to utilize our scare resources intelligently. Wherever possible try to use them 24 x 7.

With than in mind, I suggest Multi Utility Buildings.

If planned well, a school building can be an MUB.
The school grounds can serve as playground for the neighbourhood people before 8.00 AM and after 5.00 PM. Same case with other school facilities.
Sports facilities can be used by the people in the neighbourhood.
The classrooms can be rented out to companies which does coaching classes. Before 8.00 AM and after 5.00 PM. As well as on Holidays and Sundays.
Several schools are already utilized by the Government on a polling day. Similarly they can be utilized for carrying out government programs.
Classrooms can be designed in such a way that they can be modified very quickly to hold large meetings. They can be rented out to organizations who want to hold meetings on Weekends.
School library can also serve as a community library for the neighbourhood.
Schools facilities can be rented out for holding festivals and functions.
Several ATMs can be installed in these MUBs. Thereby reducing the extra security required.

For this to happen classrooms, the school furniture, sports facilities, etc need to be designed keeping the multi-use concept in mind.

How does this help?

Coaching institutes can save on costly rentals and interiors. Neighbourhoods save money by not creating redundant facilities. Not just that people get access to sports facilities (which are not there anyway in either schools or neighbourhood).

One way to construct these MUBs is to bring the concept of Malls. Companies can construct these MUBs and rent them out to Schools, Coaching Institutes, Music Schools, Dance Schools, Gymnasiums, etc. Rent out the space for Banquets, Meetings, Festivals, etc. We may fear that sanctity of a school will be lost. The sanctity is in our mind. We just need to get over it.

Similarly other MUBs can also be thought of for Police Stations, Fire Stations, Emergency Ambulance Stations, Post Offices, Courts, etc. A Police Officer can double up as Fireman in case of emergencies with proper training.

With proper pooling of ideas, this concept of MUBs can be properly developed and extended to everything we do.

For example: School Buses can be used for several other purposes as well. Like an Auto Rickshaw or a CAB that is used 24 x 7.

Don't agree? Vist Lamakaan in Hyderabad. It is a MUB for me. Hundreds of people and organizations use it for various purposes vey effectively and seamlessly.
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