Lavasa is a hill city being developed by Lavasa Corporation Limited, a subsidiary of HCC which is a recognized engineering, construction and infrastructure development company. Located in the western region of India in the picturesque landscape of the Sahayadri Mountains, the city is one fifth of the size of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and is a three hour drive from Mumbai and an hour’s drive from Pune.
The master plan for Lavasa city has been designed by Lavasa Corporation Ltd. in conjunction with HOK International Ltd., USA. It is based on the principles of New Urbanism which organizes all components of essential city life within walking distance from each other. The Master Plan has won accolades from Congress of New Urbanism (USA) - Charter Awards for Best Master Plan in 2005, American Society of Landscape Architects - Award of Excellence for Dasve Master Plan in 2005 and American Society of Landscape Architects - Honor Award for Mugaon Master Plan in 2009.
Lavasa has to its credit - technology leadership, e-Governance, Geographical Information System (GIS) for development, use of Biomimicry as a science in town planning and use of innovative techniques like hydro seeding in environment management.
Aimed to be an economy, a complement of industry leaders in the fields of hospitality, health and wellness, education, tourism will be setting up their institutions at Lavasa. Some of the tie-ups include - Hospitality (Accor, Hilton, Langham), Health and Wellness (Apollo Hospitals) and Education (Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne - Switzerland, NSHM Academy Kolkata, Symbiosis, Christ University, Educomp and Christel House – Bangalore) have already been tied up. A 65-acre Space themed entertainment park powered by technology from USSRC will offer a space-like experience to visitors. Lavasa Corporation Ltd. has also tied up with Faldo Academies Limited for developing a golf academy and with Nick Faldo Designs (overseas) Limited for designing a golf course; with Manchester City Football Club Limited to start a football training academy, with Sir Steve Redgrave , through Golden Five Limited for rowing Academy and Hockey Australia to start a hockey training academy.
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, mass plantations and landscaping. Seeds have been planted through hydro-seeding to prevent soil erosion and facilitate quick vegetation.
Lavasa is planned for an estimated 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 expected to be substantially operational by financial year 2011. With all urban advantages in a natural setting, Lavasa is envisioned to be a more live-able city of the future where residents can live, work, learn and play in harmony with nature.
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