Description:

Landscaping of ACC Kudathini, Bellary, Karnataka

Challenges:

The proposed grinding unit project, ACC Kudathini, is a 3.0 MTPA (Ultimate capacity) Cement Grinding Unit of Associate Cement Companies Ltd (ACC) is located in the village Kudhatini, Bellary district, Karnataka State. The nearest village is Kudathini, at a distance of about 2.5 km from the site in south west direction. The nearest railway station is Kudathini, at a distance of about 1.0 km. The entire clinker plant spreads to 64.75 ha, out of which 19 ha will be developed into a greenbelt around the plant site and open areas in a phased manner.

The plant aims to maintain the highest possible standards in environment management, equipped with sophisticated air pollution control systems to stop dust and fugitive emissions. The environment-friendly ethos is further enhanced by a unique township designed on the principles of sustainable habitats incorporating features such as green energy, water conservation, natural air cooling and organic farming.

The design concept aimed to develop a comprehensive scheme to respond to the need for an aesthetically pleasing environment while addressing the following issues-

1. Provide efficient & segregated circulation;

2. Create a natural setting around the built mass in order to scale down the large size to human proportions;

3. Provide recreational facilities in the form of amphitheaters, outdoor seating, plazas & shrines;

4. Develop a lush green landscape with seasonal variation and visual variety in the form of color, texture and spaces;

5. Use water as a focal element to generate interesting views;

6. Develop an energy-efficient lighting & irrigation plan;

7. Attempt of harvesting rain water and conserve & enhance the water cycle. Explore and suggest alternative source of energy (solar);

8. Create dense buffer plantation to block the strong west sun;

9. Minimize dust & noise by providing extensive green cover in the form of grass, shrubs, trees and land-form;

10. Use of local species of trees and vernacular building material to reduce the carbon footprint;

11. State-of-the-art, easy to maintain water features as landscape elements used to create focal points. Water used in all its different moods;

12. Lighting designed to add drama to the landscape;

13. Road round-about designed to create interest;

14. The landscape mound forms a foreground to enhance the water fountain spray and provide camouflage services;

15. Varying heights of vertical landscape elements used to bring down the scale of the huge built mass.