One of the undeniable reasons that makes mixed-use development a pioneer in the real estate sector is the convenience factor. With amenities within walkable distances, people can now live, work, and even shop all in one place!
As urban expansion continues, and land utilization becomes prevalent, mixed-use developments are becoming a prominent solution. With significant investments in such projects, mixed-use communities are shaping the future of urban cities.
At Aedium, we have crafted tailor-made designs for mixed-use developments across various cities in India. Our in-house team incorporates thoughtful planning, innovative design, and transformative solutions to create urban spaces that promote a convenient and balanced lifestyle.
Join us in a candid chat with our Director – Design & Projects, Ar. Sandeep Rajendran, as we dive into the key aspects of mixed-use development and explore what makes it the future of urban living.
Q. Cities around the world are now focusing on developing mixed-use communities. Is this a result of urban density and growth, or the desire to create more vibrant and walkable communities?
A. The reason is a bit of both aspects. There is often a need to make the best use of the limited space as cities expand and the population increases. With mixed-use development, we can reduce the need for long commutes while creating efficient use of the limited space available. Additionally, people now prefer living in areas that are within walking distance to work, shop, or dine. So, in short, the focus on mixed-use communities reflects the need to manage urban growth and to foster vibrant, lively, interconnected neighbourhoods.
Q. How do these developments affect traffic and mobility, especially in a city like Bengaluru where traffic congestion is a major challenge?
A. One of the primary causes of traffic congestion in cities like Bengaluru is the long commuting hours. Mixed-use developments allow people to walk or rely on public transport by offering essential amenities within close vicinities. This helps reduce traffic flow and ease congestion. These developments promote better urban planning with pedestrian-friendly zones, cycling lanes, and improved public transport infrastructure. As a result, what we can gain is self-sustaining hubs that could significantly alleviate traffic congestion. But also, a key factor is to ensure that the infrastructure supporting these developments is regularly maintained and evolves to keep up with the growing demands of the city.
Q. As the future of the construction & design industry holds a more significant place for mixed-use developments, what are the challenges in zoning and regulatory approvals for these projects?
A. Mixed-use developments are a source of exciting opportunities but also pose unique challenges. Many cities have zoning regulations in place for single-use buildings, making it difficult to integrate residential and commercial spaces within a single project. Another challenge is the zoning regulations separating different land uses. This makes it difficult to combine functions like housing, office space, and retail under one development. At the end of the day, it is a process of evolving regulations to meet the demands of growing urban landscape and can be overcome with the right planning and collaboration between developers and local authorities.
Q. With the ever-changing cities, how could the future of mixed-use development evolve?
A. Mixed-use development holds incredible promise for reshaping how we live and work. With challenges like population density, sustainability concerns, and the need for smarter commuting solutions, mixed-use developments will also need to evolve to become more flexible and community oriented. Another aspect could be the development of hybrid spaces within these developments. One such example is adapting commercial spaces into residential units or converting retail spaces into community hubs or co-working zones. Developments that can easily adapt to changing needs will be an important criterion to meet in future cities.
The future of mixed-use development will focus on designing flexible and adaptable spaces that can respond to the evolving needs of urban life while promoting a stronger sense of community and connection within the cities.