A holistic lifestyle is the trending concept amongst most developers that they want to inculcate through their upcoming residential properties, writes Kaizad Hateria
Unquestionably, Indian cities are bursting to seams everywhere and Mumbai is teeming with millions of people, making it overly populated. Here the quality of life is questioned when the shrinking spaces leave the citizens of Mumbai gasping. Unarguably the pace of urbanisation is far exceeding infrastructure enhancement.
Necessitated by the quest of physical and mental well-being, researches have time and again touted the need for more and more open spaces in emerging cities. However, as cities continue to grow, valuing open spaces is not only significant but also a task in developing nations owing to lack of space, development and resources. Mumbai has felt the pinch of lack of space for a very long time now. The recent civic body’s data displayed a lack of 1,590 hectares to meet standards. Urban development experts have cited that radical changes in the development plan and change in the mindset of real estate developers can combat this shortage of land.
Increasingly, the term livability has become synonymous to ‘quality of life’. Amongst the major factors that promote the city’s livability quotient, open spaces, outdoor living, recreational benefits and public health are significantly accountable. An enhanced lifestyle of city dwellers does not limit to economies of scale and efficient amenities but also huge open areas, green spaces, and play and recreational facilities.The objective should be to create equal spaces for all and provide an opportunity for everyone to evolve financially, physically and spiritually.
Evidently, there is a direct connection between human health and wellbeing and the design and structure of towns, cities and regions. Numerous researches by varied sectors are undertaken which includes medical, health promotion, recreational studies, urban studies and planning and transport planning research. Access to better parks, green spaces, and attractive surroundings has been associated with better perceived general health, reduced stress levels, reduced depression and more.
A holistic lifestyle is increasingly the trending concept amongst most of the developers that they want to inculcate through their upcoming residential properties. Progressively, developers are promoting the concept of ‘quality of life’ and have adopted to demonstrate, through their properties, the commitment to significantly improve lives and uplift lifestyles. They are creating homes that reflect natural living, have open grounds, place for recreational activities and endorses family time. Such property developers take the accountability of personal development of their customers to give them value for money and an experience of personal advancement.
Experts state that the success of public spaces in residential properties does not only depend upon the design but largely upon the management. Many successful developers are giving spaces in their residential properties for leisure activities and are managing it in-house. They believe that providing open spaces is not just about cutting grasses and maintaining cleanliness but also creating a community life.
According to them, open spaces or parks are more like outdoor community centres that should be utilised to the fullest of their potential. It’s not just about improvising their available spaces but also about enhancing the lives of people living in the vicinity.
life “between” buildings is what a lot of developers want to provide in their residential properties which is key for a healthy city. Swimming, sports area, cycling track, yoga rooms, occasional activity spaces, gathering halls and etc are provided in-house by the residential developers to engage home-buyers into additional activities that allows them to switch from the monotony and daily hustle-bustle of life. Kids get occupied into activities that develop social skills and multiple intelligence in them. Health experts believe the disappearing parks and playgrounds are redefining the ideal process of growing up for the Gen-Next.
Successful cities are not only made of tall buildings but are also well-equipped with open parks, spaces and other attractions. In order to build the livability factor in our cities, builders are ardently focusing on the way the properties are managed and designed. Hence, vertical development are maximising the space in these properties; green open spaces have been the central concept in most of the residential properties.
The writer is Brand Custodian and Chief Customer Delight Officer, Rustomjee Group