A trip in Lavasa, India's developing corporate-built town

2015-12-08T18:37:00-05:00

When fully built, [the New Urbanist, corporate development] Lavasa intends to consume 100 sq km...and will cater to a total population of up to 300,000 in five 'towns' built on seven hills...[But] how does it turn itself from a quirky weekend getaway into a fully fledged 'smart city' where people live and work full time?

Previously on Archinect: Lavasa a new orderly, high-tech "city"

Lavasa a new orderly, high-tech "city"

2011-06-24T13:57:57-04:00

Talking to Lavasa’s developers, one hears a lot about “sustainability” and “bio-mimicry.” But as I walked around, I was struck by how unnatural the place felt—and not just because it’s still empty. Nothing about Lavasa’s architecture or design evokes India. Even that Italianate name, Lavasa, is artificial—a meaningless word produced by the U.S. branding firm Landor.

Lavasa is one of India's first planned hill cities. Developed along New Urbanist principles it is designed to be a hi-tech, modern and "sustainable community. However, while it's homes have been selling it has also been criticized for in reality being nothing more than a gated, walkable, suburban community for the rich.

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A trip in Lavasa, India's developing corporate-built town

Lavasa a new orderly, high-tech "city"