THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Colin Buchanan, the London-based master planners of the SmartCity project, has begun initial work on its site in Kochi. The team has already visited the existing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and held discussions with officials on the rules and regulations of SEZs.

The team includes Peter Dijkhius, project director, Collin Buchnan, Don Huccheson, project director, HIL International infrastructure management consultants, Howard M, project director, project management consultants Mouchel Keith Firth and Robert Friggs, transportation consultants.

On Wednesday, they met City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham and discussed matters relating to the data collected and physical verification of the site.

They held discussions with Smart City Kochi business development manager Mithun Beeru and started the preliminary work of preparing the master plan. The master plan is expected to take more than a year to complete though the construction may begin within six months.

Reports said the master plan’s elements would be characterized by well-designed buildings offering office space as well as residential, retail, hospitality and recreational facilities.

Apart from state-of-the-art intelligent office space, SmartCity Kochi will offer business support services along with residential, hospitality, retail, and recreational facilities. The aim is to make SmartCity Kochi the heart of the emerging knowledge-based industry of the region infusing world-class expertise and extensive understanding in developing ICT infrastructure.

Colin Buchanan is one of the UK’s leading multidisciplinary consultancies dealing in town master planning, urban design, regeneration, economics and development, transport and traffic engineering and has extensive experience in implementing new and innovative solutions for its global clients.

It was recently awarded the NCE Consultants of the Year Award 2008 in recognition of its high-profile projects like Crossrail, and ULTra Heathrow Terminal 5. Other initiatives of Colin Buchanan include projects such as the SmartCity Malta master plan, the London 2012 Olympics bid, major interchange studies in central London, and planning and economic strategy for Jebel Ali Airport New Town.

According to Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, work will start soon on the SmartCity project.