Lavasa is India's first planned hill city being developed by HCC. Located in the western region of India in the picturesque landscape of the Sahayadri Mountains, it is set amidst 7 hills and 60 km. of lakefront. A three hour drive from Mumbai and an hour’s drive from Pune, the city is one fourth of the size of Mumbai.
The master plan of Lavasa (current development plan - 18,000 acres) is done by internationally renowned design consultant HOK, USA and is a recipient of many international awards. The master plan is based on the principles of New Urbanism that brings together all the components essential to daily life in a more organized manner thus creating spaces within walking distance from each other.
Lavasa aims to provide a perfect work - life balance with a unique combination of technology and infrastructure advancements. The city will have a 365 day economy with a host of non polluting industries being the main economic driver; these include R&D and training centres, IT and biotech industry, KPOs and those related to art, fashion and animation.
Lavasa has many firsts to its credit - technology leadership, e-Governance, the first Indian city developed using Geographical Information System (GIS), use of Biomimicry as a science in town planning and use of innovative techniques like hydro seeding in environment management. The city will have a wide range of residences, to fit any budget across socio-economic classes. Aimed to be a '365- day economy' , a complement of global leaders in the fields of Hospitality, Health and Wellness, Education, Tourism will be setting up their institutions at Lavasa
Tie-ups include; Hospitality (Accor, ITC, Hilton, Langham ), Health and Wellness (Apollo Hospitals) and Education ( Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne - Switzerland, International Business Relations - Germany, NSHM Knowledge Park - Kolkatta, Symbiosis, Christ University, Educomp and Christel House – Bangalore) have already been tied up. SpaceWorld, a 65-acre edutainment park powered by technology from USSRC will offer a space-like experience to visitors and will be operational soon.
With tie-ups already in place with Sir Nick Faldo for a golf course and academy, Manchester City Football Club for a football academy, Sir Steve Redgrave for a rowing Academy and Hockey Australia for a hockey Academy, Lavasa is poised to emerge as an international sporting destination.
On the environmental front, no effort has been spared to ensure that Lavasa maintains nature's ability to replenish and renew its resources. The principle for sustainable growth at Lavasa adopts a two-pronged strategy; protecting the existing natural habitat as it is and further enhancing the habitat through hydro-seeding, geo-matting, mass plantations and beautification of ravines.
Lavasa is planned for a permanent population of around 3 lakh residents and a tourist inflow that is envisaged at 20 lakh per annum. The first of the 5 towns - Dasve is slated to be ready by 2010-11. Lavasa is a prime offering from HCC, with a level of city infrastructure yet to be experienced in India, thus setting new benchmarks in planning, construction and service delivery. With all urban advantages in a natural setting, Lavasa is envisioned to be a more liveable city of the future where residents can live, work, learn and play in harmony with nature.
