The new concept of integrated townships is now more about a single developer taking over a large tract of land. There are benefits too. “The infrastructure is under the developers’ control,” explains Anuj Puri, Chairman and Country Head, JLLI, adding that the developer can plan and use the FSI better, and long-term maintenance is a possibility.
Integrated townships can reduce the burden on infrastructure and provide a fulfilling lifestyle for buyers, at a much reduced cost all round. Gulam Zia, National Director – Research & Advisory Services, Knight Frank India points out, “Of late, the planning authorities and Government bodies have realised the importance of integrated townships and are giving special concessions for creation of such townships.
What goes into the strategic planning of an integrated township to make it a case study in flagship project? One such integrated township in Mumbai is Kohinoor City at Kurla Vidyavihar. Atul Modak, Head of Kohinoor City says, “What we considered was the need to provide plenty of recreational space and all ultra-modern amenities. It truly had to be a ‘city’ where all their needs and luxuries could be met.
Integrated township as the future of urban living is an established reality. However, the future of integrated townships depends not only on the infrastructure development, but also creation of overall social infrastructure. Track2Realty delves deeper into the issue to find out the thin line that bifurcates between a successful case study and a dream unfulfilled.
In the coming months, the pressure will be to reduce debt-to-equity ratios. With so many developers in debt already, the industry is trying to come out of the situation and 2012 will not be much different. It won’t be easy and the developers are trying various routes. Selling of developed projects, vacant land is a route taken by many developers. Several developers are now providing attractive terms to PE funds to securing funding.
Shobhit Agarwal, Jt. Managing Director – Capital Markets, Jones Lang LaSalle India, believes market may be sluggish at the moment, but eventually India stands as a destination for investment.
Macro level forecast suggests Asia in general, and China and India in particular, will continue to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) despite the slowdown as Europe and the US continue to grapple with economic problems of their own.
In India, investor interest is also seeing a slowdown on account of the lower absorption of new developments and the disparity between investment returns and capital values.
The Indian realty estate companies reeling under plunging sales and liquidity issues have something more challenging to negotiate-the piling debt in their balance sheet and the banks’ deadline to repay coming close.
Will 2011 carry forward gloom in the realty market? That is the question on everybody’s lips today and the sector seems to be only praying that the worst has been left behind in 2011.