We lived in a rented house, built on a 30 X 40 plot, in one of the many small lanes of Subramanyanagar. It was a nondescript two bedroom house in which seven elders and three naughty children led a contented life. There was a small garden in the front that housed a parijatha tree, rose, kendasampige and a few other flowering shrubs and of course a tulsi plant.
Just yesterday, we took this lane, as there was a traffic jam on the main road. I was going in this lane in a car after a period of 20 odd years and the infrastructure is still the same. The quality of the road not changed; footpaths never existed and never will. What had changed were the houses.
Bangalore's real estate boom has made every inch of space very dear. So each owner has extended the house to the last inch available. The economy boom has helped each one of them acquire a car or a two-wheeler, which is parked on the street. What is gone is the lung space, the garden that beckoned so many immigrants to the city.
Some say that this is a common complaint by different generations that 'it was better in their times'. Some others argue that gardens and lung space will not help in the economy of the city. Yet some more are emphatic in declaring that Bangalore needs a decent 'skyline'. Agreed. But does that mean we have to become a Tokyo or Mumbai?
Atleast Mumbai has the ocean next door. I'm not even talking about traffic congestion, pollution, waste disposal or any other topics that become an issue in this rapid urbanization of cities.
I speak at an individual level. Sure, you live in a rented house, but can you not maintain a few plants? Have you ever poured water, to the tree the government had planted in front of your house, which gives some shade to your car in the summer? Can you not use cement and brick instead of glass? We both know that glass reflects more heat to the place and you'll end up either buying an AC car or put an AC in your house - so in reality there's no money saved.
Think about it. And while you are thinking, here's an old article that provides statistics to my argument. For those who prefer pictures to numbers, flip through Paul Fernandes' illustrations - ' The Morphing of Bangalore' in Aditi's book - Multiple City.
Just yesterday, we took this lane, as there was a traffic jam on the main road. I was going in this lane in a car after a period of 20 odd years and the infrastructure is still the same. The quality of the road not changed; footpaths never existed and never will. What had changed were the houses.
Bangalore's real estate boom has made every inch of space very dear. So each owner has extended the house to the last inch available. The economy boom has helped each one of them acquire a car or a two-wheeler, which is parked on the street. What is gone is the lung space, the garden that beckoned so many immigrants to the city.
Some say that this is a common complaint by different generations that 'it was better in their times'. Some others argue that gardens and lung space will not help in the economy of the city. Yet some more are emphatic in declaring that Bangalore needs a decent 'skyline'. Agreed. But does that mean we have to become a Tokyo or Mumbai?
Atleast Mumbai has the ocean next door. I'm not even talking about traffic congestion, pollution, waste disposal or any other topics that become an issue in this rapid urbanization of cities.
I speak at an individual level. Sure, you live in a rented house, but can you not maintain a few plants? Have you ever poured water, to the tree the government had planted in front of your house, which gives some shade to your car in the summer? Can you not use cement and brick instead of glass? We both know that glass reflects more heat to the place and you'll end up either buying an AC car or put an AC in your house - so in reality there's no money saved.
Think about it. And while you are thinking, here's an old article that provides statistics to my argument. For those who prefer pictures to numbers, flip through Paul Fernandes' illustrations - ' The Morphing of Bangalore' in Aditi's book - Multiple City.
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3 comments:
Well, we had the chance to plan it right. We chose otherwise.
Earlier, the green cover was due to strict enforcement of BDA rules. Now that has been relaxed for more living space, advent of apartments and rapid IT industries who have brought glass and chrome construction to the city.
Atleast this recession should make the govt and the individual rethink before rapid construction.
Funny, how we were talking about this just yesterday.... it bleeds the heart when I remember the National College, Basavanagudi Road which was lined by these majestic trees make way for this gargantuan, yet entirely futile flyover which has done NOTHING to ease congestion.
Alas, Bangalore of yesteryear has been lost forever to this concrete jungle that we call home.
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