Prioritizing social values through built environment

Prioritizing social values through the built environment in real estate and infrastructure projects is a critical aspect of creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities. The following can be used as a ready reckoner to achieve this objective holistically:

Community Engagement: Engage with the local community to understand their needs, preferences, and concerns. Conduct surveys, town hall meetings, and focus groups to gather their input and involve them in decision-making processes.

Affordable Housing: Prioritize affordable housing options within real estate developments to ensure that people of diverse income group can live in the community. This can help combat housing inequality and gentrification.

Mixed-Use Development: Design communities and infrastructure that promote mixed-use development. This encourages a variety of amenities and services within walking distance, reducing the need for extensive car use and fostering social interactions. Sushant Golf City, Lucknow is such a live example which we planned on the mixed-use development concept.

Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that projects are accessible to all, including people with disabilities. This includes creating accessible public transportation, buildings, and outdoor spaces.

Green Spaces: Design infrastructure and real estate projects that prioritize green spaces, parks, and recreational areas. These spaces foster social interaction, physical activity, and mental well-being. For example, we did open gym in parks under several Smart Cities projects.

Cultural Preservation: Prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage and historical sites. This can help maintain a community's unique identity and sense of belonging.

Public Art and Aesthetics: Incorporate public art and aesthetically pleasing designs into infrastructure and real estate projects to enhance the visual appeal and promote a sense of community pride.

Sustainability: Promote sustainable building practices by incorporating green building technologies, energy-efficient designs, and renewable energy sources. Sustainable practices not only benefit the environment but also improve the quality of life for residents.

Transportation Choices: Develop infrastructure that supports various transportation options, including public transit, cycling, and walking. Reducing reliance on cars can improve air quality and community well-being.

Safety and Security: Design built environments with an emphasis on safety and security, including well-lit streets, community policing, and emergency response plans.

Education: Incorporate educational facilities within communities to ensure access to quality education for residents. Schools, libraries, and other educational institutions can be integrated into planning of any town or hi-tech city.

Local Businesses: Encourage the growth of local businesses within development area, creating job opportunities and a sense of community ownership.

It requires a holistic approach that takes into account the diverse needs and aspirations of the community through real estate and infrastructure projects. Continuous monitoring and evaluation is needed to check the impact of these development projects on social values. It is required to adapt and refine plans to address evolving community needs. It’s not just about creating physical structures but building places where people can thrive, connect, and lead fulfilling lives. Fostering collaborations between government agencies, developers, non-profit organizations, and citizens are highly required to achieve and maintain the social value goals on large scale.