Lavasa

Lavasa is India's First hill station since Independence. It is being developed by HCC India near Pune. It is spread over of land and is scheduled to be completed by 2021. The first phase (Dasave) is scheduled to become operational by June 2009. It will be a self-equipped city developed on the principles of New Urbanism.

Concept

Lavasa Corporation Limited was formed to undertake a large-scale lifestyle development in India. Lavasa is located on the backwaters of Warasgaon dam on the Western Ghats between Pune and Mumbai, within 80 minutes from Pune (approximately 50 km) and 3 hours from Mumbai (approx 180 km). Lavasa has three main seasons: summer (March to May), monsoon (June to September), and winter (October to February).

The city is planned to strike a balance between urban living and preservation of the environment. The master plan by HOK envisages a township in harmony with nature where nature begins at the doorstep. This master plan won both the Award for Excellence 2005, given by the Congress for the New Urbanism (USA) and the American Society of Landscape Architects Award—2005. The concept of a hill town dates from British colonial times and describes locations where British administrators went during the Indian tropical summer, prominent examples being Shimla, Kulu, and Ooty.

Lavasa will consist of a cosmopolitan, diverse neighborhood encompassing people from the upper middle class to the affluent classes. The township will also be home to numerous educational institutions, research centers, and hotels.

Location

Lavasa is located in the western mountain ranges of India, Lavasa is very near to the two major metropolises, Mumbai and Pune. Lavasa is located in 25000 acres of land in the backwaters of the Warasgaon dam. There are five access routes to Lavasa, one of which is enhanced and developed. This is the Chandni Chowk- Pune road to Lavasa which offers a similar quality drive as one experiences on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. This road makes Lavasa approximately an hour's (around 65 km) drive from Pune and almost 3.5 hours away from Mumbai (around 200 km).

Controversy

Lavasa has recently run into problems because of accusations from the local community that the land acquisition for the project was not done in an ethical and transparent manner.

Lead consultant and partners (tieups)

Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) — one of the largest private sector construction companies in India — is undertaking the construction activities. Hincon Techno Consultants is the primary engineering consultant. Many other large companies are involved: the master plan was developed by HOK, USA, while Accenture and ACNielsen conducted the project feasibility and research. Branding is being done by Landor, (Hong Kong).

Other prominent names with whom a tieup has been done include:

Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) - Hospitality management school
Novotel - 250 room hotel and convention center
Apollo Hospitals - Healthcare and Wellness center spread over
ITC - Fortune Lavasa to be opened by 2009
Symbiosis Society - Developing a management school
University of Oxford- Establishment of the Oxford University India Business Centre (OUIBC). The Centre, which will be located at Saïd Business School in Oxford, will address major business issues through collaborative research between academics in Oxford, India and elsewhere. Alongside research and teaching at Oxford, the centre will develop a range of custom and open executive education programmes which will be delivered in India through a new facility in Lavasa. A scoping study with companies located in India and elsewhere is underway to begin development of these education programmes which will first be delivered in early 2010.

Status

The first phase of the Lavasa hill town is currently under construction, scheduled for completion in June 2009. This phase includes educational institutions, hospital and hotels besides residences. The residences range from lakeside apartments to villas of varying sizes.

Activities and Entertainment in Lavasa

Lavasa offers a welcome break from urban life with a combination of activities ranging from adventure sports, golf, yoga, meditation and wellness centers. It will also have hotels, restaurants, theatres and cinema halls.

Lavasa will have outdoor sports like trekking, rappelling, boating, para gliding and other outdoor sports. Lavasa will be a home to many international hotels which suit every pocket. A getaway from the buzz of city life, corporates and business houses can hold important meetings in a setting that is so close to nature. Lavasa has collaborated with leading hospitality brands like Sheraton, Novotel, Grande Mercure and ITC Fortune Hotels. Lavasa will also be well equipped to have a Convention & Event Center and a Country Club. The Convention Center with its technologically advanced facilities will play host to business meetings, exhibitions and various other events for the visitors at Lavasa

Besides this Lavasa will take advantage of it natural pristine setting to house a health and wellness center offering world class spa facilities.

There will be numerous restaurents, coffee shops et al to please every taste.