While taller buildings can accommodate more people in lesser space, they also tend to negatively impact the existing infrastructure and the local climate.
- Permissible height of buildings is determined by Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
- It is the ratio of the combined covered area (plinth area) of all floors by the total plot area.
- Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 provides regulations for the height.
Reasons for upward growth
- Economic Growth: High rise buildings house mix-use structures including residential, office spaces, etc.
- Urbanization: Urban population has witnessed an increase of about 2 billion between 1990 -2020.
- Developments in Construction technology: use of elevators, innovative and centralized heating/cooling systems, designs to counteract high speed winds, etc.
Challenges associated with Upward Growth
- Increased Population Density: Requiring greater need for public resources and greater energy demand, impacting quality of life.
- Urban Heat Island: Leading to localized heating impacting temperatures, rainfall and wind speeds of the cities.
- Economic Viability: Adhering to building codes and incorporating disaster resilience structures is relatively costly.
- Social Divide: Higher cost of construction makes them affordable to higher income groups.
- Other Challenges: Impact on disaster relief; solid waste management, etc.
