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THE CONVENTION

Indian Buildings Congress will be holding its 7th Annual Convention in New Delhi in May 2001. The Annual Convention, apart from conducting business like holding of AGM, Governing Council Meeting & Appointment of office bearers for ensuing term, will also hold a Seminar on the theme of "Earthquakes in Built Environment". Members of the Indian Buildings Congress and professionals of Government Departments, Housing Boards, Development Authorities, Town and Country Planning Organisations, State PWDs, Teaching & Training Institutes, Builders, Developers and all others interested in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings are cordially invited to the Convention and Seminar.

THEME OF THE SEMINAR

Earlier it was decided to hold the Seminar on the theme of 'Sustainable Development in Built Environment'. Accordingly a 'Call for Papers' was issued. The theme was reviewed in view of the recent earthquake in Gujarat and it has been decided to change the theme to "Earthquakes in Built Environment". The theme of 'Sustainable Development in Built Environment' will be adopted for a subsequent seminar. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.

OBJECTIVE OF THE SEMINAR

'Bhuj' earthquake on January 26, 2001 resulting in devastation of built environment in a number of towns and cities of Gujarat State covering large areas, taking a toll of more than 25,000 dead and leaving more than a lakh injured, has stunned the Indian Nation to its core. Overall loss of human lives and properties due to this earthquake has far exceeded the loss suffered in any other earthquake in our country in living memory. This earthquake has raised a number of issues which need to be properly addressed, answers found and action taken, so as to prevent such tragedies in future.

Indian Buildings Congress had organised a Seminar on 'Built Environment and Natural Hazards' in February 1997 at New Delhi on the occasion of its 3rd Annual Convention. This was inaugurated by the then Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and had one Technical Session on Earthquakes. Recommendations emerging out of this Seminar were forwarded to all concerned agencies for appropriate action, but apparently no effective action could be taken. The tragedy of Bhuj earthquake has made it necessary to have a re-look on earthquakes, their effect on the built environment and our preparedness to meet the disaster and what technical, administrative, financial, social and legislative measures need be taken, to decrease the miseries in any future earthquake, which may occur any time, anywhere in the country.

Discussions are proposed to be held in five Technical Sessions, one on each of the following sub themes :-

1. Bhuj and Other Recent Earthquakes - Issues and Lessons.

Reasons for large-scale devastation. State of preparedness for disaster mitigation. Responsibility of builders, owners & occupants.

2. Earthquakes - Causes, Effects and Basic Issues.

Earthquake motion - Its nature and effect on damages. Soil characteristics and their effect. Existing seismic zoning map of India - Its adequacy and need for review. Micro-Zoning - its advantages, need and limitations.

3. Seismic Vulnerability of Present Indian Habitats.

Effect of earthquakes on metros / other urban / semi-urban / rural areas. Assessment, evaluation and strengthening of existing buildings.

4. Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction.

Requirements for new buildings both engineered and non-engineered. Design of Services - Water supply, sewerage, gas, electricity and transportation - both underground and above ground. Codes and Standards.

5. Governance for Earthquake Safety.

Management issues:- Pre-earthquake - Building bye-laws, Disaster mitigation, planning etc. Post earthquake - Immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation etc. Action plan and manuals. Role of professionals of various disciplines.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Authors are requested to contribute two hard copies of their paper, preferably along with 3.5" floppy in Microsoft Word or PageMaker Programme. The paper should not exceed 3000 words and should also contain an abstract of about 200 words. Accompanying drawings and figures should be prepared in Indian black ink on A/4 size good quality tracing paper or drafting film. The paper should not have been published earlier or presented in any other Seminar/Conference. Authors should also indicate the names of co-authors their affiliation, mailing addresses and telephone numbers. Papers selected for the Seminar will be published in the proceedings of Indian Buildings Congress. Upto 2 authors of each paper shall be given a free delegate status. While full text of paper can be submitted upto 7th. April 2001, authors should communicate their intention of submitting the paper along with an abstract before 25th March 2001.

All correspondence pertaining to papers may be addressed to
Shri S.C. Gupta Advisor
Indian Buildings Congress
Sector-VI, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110022
Phone : (O) 6169531, (R) 6910407
Fax : (011) 6196391

Technical Committee

Convener
Shri P. Krishnan
Former DG(W), CPWD
103 Charak Sadan, Vikas Puri
New Delhi-110018

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Indian Buildings Congress has invited entries for IBC Awards for Excellence in Built Environment for the year 2000. A special brochure inviting these entries was issued and mailed to all concerned. The entries in the required format will not be received upto 31-3-2001. These awards will be presented during the Inaugural Function of the 7th Annual Convention. Further details regarding the categories for awards, details to be submitted etc. may be obtained from Honorary Secretary, Indian Buildings Congress.

AWARDS FOR BEST PAPER

Indian Buildings Congress awards for best papers selected out of papers presented during 6th Annual Convention held in New Delhi and Mid-term Session held at Pondicherry will be presented during the Valedictory Function of the Convention.

VENUE & DATE

The Convention will be held in May 24-26 2001 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Actual date and detailed programme will be published in the final Brochure.

REGISTRATION

The intending participants are requested to register by filling and mailing the registration form. The delegate fee shall be as under :

SPONSORSHIP OF THE SEMINAR

In order to make the Convention a success, Institutions and Organisations are requested to Sponsor or Co-sponsor the Convention. Details of sponsorship fees are as under :

Sponsors will be allowed four delegates free of delegate fee. Co-sponsors will be allowed two delegates free of delegate fee. The names of sponsors and co-sponsors will be prominently acknowledged in the Souvenir and displayed at the venue of the Convention.

SOUVENIR

The IBC proposes to bring out a Souvenir to mark the construction of IBC Headquarters Building. The Souvenir will be released during the 7th Annual Convention. Appeals for contribution to this Souvenir have already been issued through a special Brochure and also through IBC News.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation will have to be arranged by the delegates themselves.

TRANSPORT

Delhi is connected with whole of the country by air and rail and the neighbouring States by bus services. Taxis and auto rickshaws are available for commuting within the city. Delegates will have to make their own arrangements for transport and reservations.

Address for Correspondence, Registration and Sponsorship

Shri H.C. Gupta
Honorary Secretary 
7th Annual Convention
Indian Buildings Congress
Sector-VI, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110022
Phones : 6169531  Fax : 91-11-6196391

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Chairman
Shri R.K. Bhandari
President IBC,
Engineer Member, DDA
Vikas Sadan, INA, New Delhi

Members

ORGANISING SECRETARY

Shri H.C. Gupta
Chief Engineer, DDA
Honorary Secretary, IBC

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN
Shri R.K. Bhandari
President IBC, Engineer Member, DDA

MEMBERS

ORGANISING SECRETARY

Shri H.C. Gupta
Chief Engineer, DDA
Honorary Secretary, IBC