Rapid population growth paralleled with urbanization has created a need for additional accommodation spaces. While cities are getting more densely populated, the infrastructure stands limited. It is in the face of such a situation that townships emerge as an attractive solution. In simple terms, townships are self-sustained developed areas with various facilities.

The idea of planned developments is not new to India. In fact, the country saw its first fully planned city- Chandigarh in 1951. What followed were other planned cities and townships. The year 1971 saw the creation of Navi Mumbai - India's, and possibly, the world's largest planned city. This satellite city aimed to accommodate the constantly increasing population.

Satellite cities and township developments had been around even before 1971, but those developments on city boundaries were not very organized despite being linked to the city. Eventually, as cities began expanding, the scope was extended to developing integrated townships. These self-sustainable townships accommodated people into organised developments, housing units, social infrastructure and economic activity areas. The focus was on minimizing the need to visit the main city centre for employment, education or recreation.

Present scenario

Today, the development of townships is not limited to government projects only. Real estate developers from the private sector play an active role in building townships spanning hundreds of acres; such townships generally include independent houses, apartments, office buildings, shopping malls, cinemas, schools, hospitals and other facilities that one would find in a city. As is common knowledge, residential and commercial spaces create demand for each other, and hence their presence in the same township leads to faster development of the area.

Apart from benefits of all available facilities, townships also offer cost benefits to buyers and investors. Developers ensure that the townships are well-connected to the main city. At the same time, being located in the peripheries of the city, these properties are relatively cheaper than those in prime locations. Thus, buyers enjoy an advantageous position.

Therefore, what has made the township culture successful is an amalgamation of factors - connectivity, commercialization of surrounding areas, ease of access, availability of open spaces and so on. Such residential accommodations are also promising of a healthy lifestyle through their 'walk-to-work', smart city and eco-friendly features.

Emerging trends

One could agree that ten years ago amenities like swimming pool, clubhouse and indoor games were luxuries that people paid extra for. Now, however, these are basic amenities and buyers want more than just the basics. To cater to the buyers' needs, developers need to constantly apply new innovations in designs and structures. A recent innovation has been the concept of theme-based townships. Among the different themes that developers incorporate, some famous ones are Spanish, Greek, Mediterranean and Roman-themed townships.

Mediterranean townships, for instance, involve design features like arches, porticos and cut-stone facades along with lavish fountains. A township with Roman architecture would mean lush green landscapes and classic-pillared apartment buildings.

In this phase of population bloom across all urban areas of the country, emerging townships are a plausible solution to accommodation problems. Moreover, these townships enable a holistic development of the country because they act as catalysts to the development of surrounding areas. Physical infrastructure needs, such as connecting roads, water supply, drainage, etc. get fulfilled due to township developments.