It is estimated that over 50% of the world’s
population now lives in urban areas and that this will rise to 70% by 2050.
Cities are without a doubt, the future of mankind. As someone who has been a curator of
fine living and views architecture through a magnifying glass - the most
important question I ask myself is "what goes into making an ideal
city"?
Strong
infrastructure and innovative design, i.e sustainable architecture, is
imperative to the creation of an ideal city. However, the liveability aspects of
the city, i.e, those facets that result in an ideal community, are just as
important to create the city that we deserve.
Today, the
most important concept of a good liveable city is its high streets. How
successful a high street is in a city will indicate how healthy a city is, how
lively a city is. The city sidewalks, the city footpaths, the city pedestrian
walkways provide the soul and life to a city, not enclosed areas where
pedestrians hang out.
Cities are
here to grow. Designing public spaces benchmarked to the best cities in the
world is the need of the hour. Central Barcelona has a higher density of
population than Mumbai. It also has less green spaces than any Indian city. It
has the same rainfall pattern as India wherein there is a lot of rain for a few
days and is water stressed the rest of the year. It however creates superb hardscape
public spaces with few trees interspersed in the city. The word green spaces
need to change to public spaces.
Our ventures
in South India are all about contributing to the creation of such a city.
Whether you look at Devanahalli or OMR, we are always striving to create an
engaging locale, an ideal community in which style meets substance because of a healthy high street
culture and public spaces. Where the community brings to life an ideal
metropolitan experience in harmony with nature that magnifies the way we live.
However, a
beautiful house is of no value if it leaves a massive carbon footprint on the
surrounding environment. The ideal city
demands a sustainable setup with a high street culture and innovative concepts
like hardscaping. The end
goal of an ideal city will always be its residents’ joy and happiness. The best
way to attain this goal is to create a sustainable and liveable city.
