The Transformation of India's Skyline: High-Rises vsLow-Rises

India is a rapidly developing country with a rapidly growing population. With this increase in population, there is also a growing demand for housing. As such, the skyline of Indian cities is undergoing a transformation with the rise of high-rises, which stand tall and imposing over low-rises.

For long, the low-rise buildings have characterized the Indian landscape. These buildings are often single to two-story structures, which present a human-scale and are commonly found in suburban or rural areas. However, with the recent surge in the population, there has been a shift in the type of structures built. High-rise buildings are now becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in urban areas.

The high-rises are becoming the new norm, as they offer a more efficient use of space, lower land consumption, and greater population density compared to low-rise buildings. Additionally, high-rise buildings are designed to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and have better fire-resistant features.

However, as different as these two types of structures are, their construction comes with an environmental impact. The construction of high-rise buildings is associated with higher carbon emissions compared to the building of low-rise buildings. This is due to the use of vast amounts of energy, both in terms of electricity and material extraction. Also, high-rises tend to consume more energy for ventilation, heating, and cooling, which translates to higher greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, constructing a high-rise building requires complicated and costly construction techniques, which escalate the final cost of the building. This means high-rise buildings are often out of reach for low-income households. Therefore, the majority of the high-rise buildings tend to cater to middle-class or wealthier segments of society.

On the other hand, low-rise buildings tend to be more affordable. They are often less expensive to build and similarly costed to maintain. This makes low-rise buildings ideal for low-income households, who are often in need of affordable housing. Low-rise buildings also create more walkable communities, which encourage physical activity and outdoor recreation.

In conclusion, the transformation of India's skyline from low-rise buildings to high-rise buildings is a reflection of the ever-increasing need for more housing in India's urban centers. However, it is also crucial to consider the social, economic, and environmental impacts of such changes. Governments and building firms need to evaluate these factors while planning and executing housing projects to ensure that both high-rise and low-rise buildings are built sustainably and equitably.