Kochi: The proposed Rs.15-billion Smart City project of this Kerala city has been given to British firm Colin Buchanan.

Smart City Kochi is a joint venture company promoted by Dubai-based TECOM Investments, SAMA Dubai and the government of Kerala.

The project will come up in an area of 246 acres of which 100 acres have already been given the status of special economic zone (SEZ).

It would also see a record 90,000 jobs being created.

The decision to appoint the British firm was announced in a press release issued Sunday from Dubai by Fareed Abdulrahman, Smart City CEO and board member of Smart City Kochi.

"Smart City will develop the master plan in consultation with Colin Buchanan," said Abdulrahman.

"At the same time we will continue to actively consult the state government and the local community on our joint IT/ITES vision to ensure the success of the self-sustained business township."

State IT secretary Ajay Kumar told IANS: "Everything is going according to the plan of action that the board of directors have prepared. The board meets once every three months."

Colin Buchanan is one of the UK's leading multi-disciplinary 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.

Colin Buchanan, which has prepared a master plan for Smart City Malta, 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.