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Urbanization is a global phenomenon, with over half of the world's population now living in cities. This rapid growth is putting a strain on land resources, infrastructure, and the environment. Cities are faced with a critical choice: to expand horizontally or grow vertically.
Horizontal expansion, which involves spreading out over a larger land area, is a traditional approach to urban growth. However, it can lead to a number of challenges, including:
- Land scarcity: As cities grow, they compete with agriculture and other land uses for limited space. This can drive up land prices and make it difficult to afford housing.
- Traffic congestion: As cities spread out, commute times increase. This can lead to air pollution, wasted time, and reduced productivity.
- Infrastructure strain: Horizontal expansion can put a strain on existing infrastructure, such as roads, water systems, and energy grids. This can lead to service outages and increased costs.
Vertical growth, which involves building up instead of out, offers a number of advantages over horizontal expansion. However, we have only seen Mumbai develop an expansive skyline in India so far.
Today, I want to explore why this is the case and when vertical growth become a reality that cannot be ignored.
Slow adoption
There are a number of reasons why vertical growth has been slow to take off in India, despite its many advantages. Some of these reasons include:
- Government policy: The Indian government has not historically been supportive of vertical growth as evidenced by strict FSI regulation. However, there are signs that this is changing, with the government now recognizing the need for more compact and sustainable urban development.
- Economic considerations: Vertical growth can be more expensive than horizontal expansion, as it requires more investment and technical know-how in infrastructure.
- Infrastructure capacity: Many Indian cities have limited infrastructure capacity, which makes it difficult to support rapid vertical growth.
- Cultural and historical context: India has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and many people are actually reluctant to see their cities dominated by tall buildings.
Embracing vertical growth in smaller cities also poses demographic and economic challenges. These cities may have lower population densities, which can make the economic viability of vertical development less apparent. Furthermore, attracting the necessary investment for high-rise projects in smaller markets can be a considerable hurdle. Balancing the preservation of a city's unique character with the need for modernization and efficient land use is an intricate dance in smaller urban centers.
So When Does Vertical Growth Become Inevitable?
Vertical growth becomes imperative when cities face a convergence of factors, including high population density, limited available land, and the urgency for sustainable urban planning. Mumbai, often cited as a prime example, was driven by severe land scarcity. Bengaluru, on the other hand, expanded its borders into the outskirts where ample room was available.
As India's population continues to grow, the challenges of horizontal expansion will only become more acute in larger cities. This is when vertical real estate planning will become increasingly important as a way to manage India's urban growth.
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