HYDERABAD: The state government has decided to set up an ‘urban centre of excellence” (UCE) on a 45-acre campus at Budvel, Rajendranagar mandal, on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
The government has asked HMDA for about 20 acres of open or green space for the UCE which will act as a think tank on urban issues. It will have, among others, research and development (R&D) facilities on urban issues, a hub for urban innovations and a centre for urban start-ups, training and conference facilities.
It is also expected to act as a repository and will house urban innovations and information of the latest developments in this sector. The Centre will have classrooms, conference halls, auditoriums and full-fledged accommodation facilities along with gymnasium and sports facilities.
Five acres would be allocated for the hub of urban innovations, display models on urban innovation or best practices, 6,000 sq. ft would be given for a 500-seater conference and convention centre, and another 6000 sq. ft mini-conference halls for 150 people, and four class rooms. The U-hub would accommodate 200 start-ups in 10,000 sq. ft.
The UCE will have four independent accommodation and apartment complexes which would accommodate 40 families. It would also have relaxation hubs with restaurants serving international cuisine and a pub. The play areas would have an indoor swimming pool and space for sports. The parking area would accommodate 400 four-wheelers, 20 buses and 400 two-wheelers.
The campus is planned to have IGBC platinum rating or ECBC compliant, in-house sewage treatment, water harvesting with zero discharge, reducing carbon footprint-linking green spaces to pedestrian and bicycling networks and green areas and landscapes (at as many locations as possible).
The centre will also house live models of the latest innovations/best practices in the urban sector in about five acres of land on a dynamic basis.
UCE campus (all structures, buildings and designs) will be based on the concept of sustainable development and innovative architecture. The entire campus will be a green campus and will have inbuilt elements of energy saving design, optimum usage of natural light, landscapes and using space in an eco-friendly innovative manner.
