We expect exponential growth in terms of redevelopment of old structures in new high-rise structures.

- Nagesh Veeturi

Executive Director - Civil, KEC International

How do you look at the demand trend for high-rise buildings in residential and commercial segments?

Metropolitan regions in the country are facing a huge surge in the construction of high-rise buildings owing to cities getting more populated, a burst in trade operations, enhanced commercial activities and fast-paced urban growth. Continuous migration to Metro cities, decreasing space and the high density of population is resulting in a congestion influx, which make high-rise buildings a necessary requisite in today's day and age. The only practical way to meet the needs of the nation's rising population, while tackling the limited availability and expensive cost of land is to design and build tall and grow vertically.

According to you, what are the key demand drivers of high-rise buildings in India?

Some of the key demand drivers for this segment include consistent growth in GDP and urbanisation, adequate policy support by the government and better availability of infrastructure, viz. mobility  and connectivity, healthcare, schools, recreational areas, etc.

Which are your major ongoing high-rise projects?

KEC International's Civil SBU focuses on the construction of factories, urban infrastructure such as Metro Rail, residential & public spaces, data centres, warehouses, and water pipeline projects. In high-rise residential, the business is working with several marquee real estate clients, some of which include Godrej Reality, Piramal and Prestige Group.

How does technology play key roles in high-rise building construction?  What are the upcoming smart technologies in high-rise building construction?

High-rise construction has always relied on technological innovations in engineering. Technological innovations used in high-rise building construction manifest in various aspects: geometric shape, foundation, construction pit protection, vertical and horizontal construction, materials, vibration damping systems and energy efficiency. In the design of different architectural forms, determining the relationship between the building shape and the quality of its construction is an important aspect. Some of the smart technologies that are expected to play a significant role in the future include composite construction, precast construction and 3D Printing technology.

From a contractor's perspective, what are the major challenges faced in the construction of high-rise structures?

The most challenging factor in construction of high-rise structure is the location. Most of the times, the structure is located in densely populated areas, which makes working or logistical movements very challenging.

How do you look at policy support from the government in the construction of skyscrapers?

The policy support from the government has been fair; however, a lot of improvisations in this area can be done with the consent of developers. Urban planning experts claim that timely amendments in policies will help simplify and expedite approvals for real estate developments across cities.

What is your outlook on high-rise buildings sector in the coming years?

The outlook for high-rise buildings looks very bright and we expect exponential growth in terms of redevelopment of old structures in new high-rise structures. There will also be growth in the vicinity of urban areas. We will also see more satellite towns being developed over a period of time.

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