Home / ANALYSIS / Projects / Top Ten High Rises in India - Tall Order

World one
[More Images]

Although the planned World One tower has been projected as a symbol of India’s and Mumbai’s arrival on the global economic and cultural stage, one also needs to look at tall structures to address problem’s arising due to rapid urbanisation

Rapid urbanisation has literally left our cities and towns gasping for breathing space. Being primarily unplanned in nature, most cities are desperately trying to grab up surrounding land to accommodate the population explosion. But that is neither feasible nor possible always. Considering this fact that land as a commodity is becoming scarcer, high-rises have emerged as one of (some say it is the only) the plausible solutions to address the problems associated with urbanisation since they can accommodate maximum population under the given circumstances and at the same time also allow for open spaces.

The government too is now seriously looking ‘up’ and modifying regulations to encourage vertical expansion. Of course, things need to move faster on that account. It is indeed imperative that the government reconsiders its FSI norms seriously; a World Bank team visiting India had suggested exactly that a couple of years ago.

The last ten years or so have seen several tall structures coming across the country. It also reflects the maturity of the architecture, construction and engineering community. Not surprisingly though, the tallest of them all adorn the skyline of the country’s financial capital. Construction Week lists down its favourite Top Ten High-Rises in this interesting segment (all from Mumbai). While we have certainly considered the fact that these are all tall structures, their selection is based on several aspects.

The other deciding factors include architectural excellence, engineering innovation, use of technology and overall impact. It is also a mix of projects that are completed as well as those under construction and those that are at planning stage.

Story continues below

Advertisement

COMMENT Comment on this article

Advantages of high-rises

Tikam Jain, VP Planning, Lodha Developers lists down strong reasons why tall buildings must be promoted in Indian cities.

• Tall buildings make better use of the land and cause people to dwell nearer to their work places. Tall Buildings afford efficient land use in population concentration and reduce the suburban sprawl.
• Tall buildings allow reduction in size of power and services infrastructure networks.
• Floor plates can be standardized as also use of materials leading to construction efficiencies.
• High wind velocities at height enable greater potential for harnessing wind energy.
• High thermal mass potential for use in natural ventilation and air conditioning strategies.
• Potential for good internal day lighting and thus conserve on power.
• Tall buildings are now increasingly becoming an interesting part of the city’s landscape as more buildings are being designed with highly unique aesthetics. Progressive developers and Architects are resorting to tall buildings.
• Tall buildings will entail less travel by the city dweller thus conserving on transportation cost and time and improving his lifestyle.
• Today’s urbanite is a conscious consumer. Residents are looking for lifestyle with beautiful surroundings, absolute security, outstanding convenience and services, state of art amenities, and yes, spectacular views too. Nowadays more and more tall buildings are coming up with all these features combined into a seamless elegant package