The worldwide trends are gravitating towards cities full of opportunities and robust potentials. As a result of this unusually increased focus towards the cities, urban sprawling is on the rise. The immense pressure on cities to fulfill the accommodation needs of an expanding population is increasing. There is a limit to horizontal growth of the cities; Vertical growth is the only option left, then. To cater for the residential needs of expanding population, the only solution is for vertical development of buildings.
What is a Vertical City?
A series of interlinking vertically proceeding building floors that offer environmentally friendly and self-sustaining spaces for occupants. Vertical buildings are a mark of luxury and a step towards energy-efficient cities. A mechanism to preserve horizontal spaces for nature, recreation, and food production.
Solving the problems of urban congestion
Urban congestion is on the rise as is the population of the cities, worldwide. The developing cities will run short of land if the influx goes on and a horizontal spread limit is achieved. High-rise buildings and mixed-use developments are the most practical solution in this era. The world’s tallest buildings in the cities of Hong Kong, NewYork, Shanghai, Tokyo, Dubai are the modern icons of vertical city developments.
Symbols of Prestige and lavishness
A man of today deems the sky-scrapers as a symbol of modernity and prestige. But, years later from today, these will be a common man’s dwelling as the trend will gain the level of saturation in a few years to come.
Focusing Sustainability in vertical developments
A vertical development has to offer long-term viability, otherwise, its hype and significance may reduce to rumbles. A building must address the resident’s basic needs and comfort levels. These buildings must give a glimpse of being closer to nature and should offer an open environment to make the occupants feel the taste of life. In lieu of this, these must contain public parks, parking lots, playgrounds, recreation centers, shopping facilities, etc.
The higher floors give a panoramic view of the green lawns, better air quality, and natural incoming light. The very reason why people choose such apartments when they plan a vacation to flee from busy life routines and work burdens. By adding the feature of sustainability, modern vertical developments have delivered the role of being able to cater to the necessities and convenience of the dwellers. In addition to this, the setting up of financial centers and the central business districts are the new kind of buildings that are incorporating the new vertical developmental trends.
High-risers and a few concerns- Now Solved!
While the lucrativeness of a high-rise building allures maximum minds, there are some exceptions. The concerns in a high-rise building for some people may be the elevator breakdowns, reduced social interactions with neighbors, the disturbances in the supply of water, etc. However, the building quality of a high-rise is much higher. They are built keeping in view the seismic codes, ease of vertical accessibility, fire exit routes, etc. As far as the social buffer needs to be contracted, these high-rise mixed-use developments are the swiftest of the options in this scenario, as public parks and community spaces are infused with the residential spaces.
Tall Buildings in Pakistan
These trends are depicting the success of such structures and marking of a new era; Pakistan is also set to follow the steps. Particularly, Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad have absorbed these trends as the mixed-use developments, commercial plazas, high-rise apartment buildings are swiftly being constructed nation-wide.
Talking about the famous vertical structures in Karachi we include Samia Presidency in Malir Cantonment, Creek Vista Apartments in DHA Karachi, and the first of its kind luxury apartment in the Federal B area in Karachi- The Al-Khaleej Towers. In Lahore, the Spring Apartment Homes in Lahore, and Veranda Residence in sector E-11 in Islamabad. Most luxury high-rises have a covered land area between 2400 to 3000 square feet with price tags running from PKR 45 to 85 million and more. These are some of the projects that have created a big buzz in the vertically growing building market in Pakistan.
Vertical cities reinforcing the Green-game
The new tall building trends are not only facilitating the bigger mob to reside in a lap of luxuries, but also play their part in consolidating the environmental footprint of the regions. It averts the requirement of land-use that can otherwise result in the loss of agricultural lands. Furthermore, there can be more space for plantation of crops and trees to keep the green game strong. It also adds to coping up with the environmental concerns of air pollution, as the dependency on roads is decreased. Well-planned and sustainable high-rises can maximize the efficiency of land-use while keeping the outlook compact.
