Page 46 - September 2015 Digital Construction Opportunities

URBANIA Community connect New integrated townships are increasingly bringing in the flavours of ruralia missing in the anonymity of large cities, points out ANIL PHARANDE While the concept of integrated township which is basically what decides what kinds operates on proven fundamentals of social living is still something of a novelty in India, of homes they can buy. Tose who opt for integration and living convenience. Tey the concept of living in integrated residential staying on rent are ofen transient families enjoy all the benefts of a comfortable and communities is defnitely not. If we look at which do not add to the neighbourhood. secure lifestyle with the additional beneft how confgurations like villages work, then Creating a sense of neighbourhood and of social 'connectivity' that derives from it emerges that Indians have been living in community under such circumstances is like-minded people who are willing to integrated residential communities for a very challenging - and because people also invest that extra bit for their families living very long time indeed. Of course, integrated have the stresses of their daily work life to in harmoniously balanced neighbourhoods. townships are a far more specialised and tackle, they tend to ignore what neighbours Te fact that schools, shopping, healthcare sophisticated real estate model - and one they have altogether. and public transport are readily available and which is becoming a very important one Te unfortunate fact that emerges is that accessible goes a long way in reducing stress for various reasons. people can buy homes, but not a sense of and increasing the willingness and scope For all those who have been living in cities community. for healthy social interaction. Likewise, not like Pune and Mumbai, the fact that urban Integrated townships, on the other hand, having to contend with water supply issues life can and does become rather disconnected bring the best elements of a village back and power outages makes for more relaxed is not news. Since most developers will build to urban dwellers. Tey are distinct and and happier neighbourhoods. residential projects on whatever small land cohesive neighbourhoods within people can And since integrated townships also ofer parcels are available, neighbourhoods are reside with a comforting sense of certainty parks, gardens and other places for people created in a very unplanned and uninspiring and predictability. People who buy homes to meet and interact in, the stage is set manner and their residents wind up living in integrated townships are not merely for a way of life which most city dwellers in small, isolated pockets which are ofen investing in an orphaned, anonymous set in India have bid goodbye to long ago. In quite far from day-to-day conveniences and of walls somewhere in the city - which is a very defnite way, integrated townships essentials such as shopping centres, schools basically all that one can expect from most have brought the village back in the best and hospitals. residential projects in India today. possible way - by allowing people to enjoy At the same time, people are thrown together Township residents become members of a the benefts of community living against a on the basis of their household budgets, self-sufcient residential microcosm which zero-stress backdrop. u 46 construction opportunities|sEPTEMBER 2015