An Idiot's Guide To Gated Communities

Where?
Largely on periphery of cities; within only when land available for redevelopment. Initially in Gurgaon, Bangalore and Mumbai, now everywhere.

Who lives this way?
At first, only foreigners, MNC and IT crowd. Now: also young urban professionals and people in inner cities looking for a better lifestyle. Basic version of the model—power backup, pool, security—being adopted by thousands of middle-income housing projects.

What do they have?

At least: 24-hour power, purified water, private parking, security guards, boom barriers, intercom, CCTVs, sports club, landscaped gardens, grocery shop, central maintenance system.
At most: Spa, speciality restaurants, skating rinks, kiddie clubs with playstations, clinics, supermarkets, solar heating systems, videophone entry, golf, private swimming pools for homes, dedicated broadband, concierge desks

How much for a 3/4 bedroom apartment near a metro city?
Minimum: Rs 50 lakh
Maximum: Rs 5 crore, rising to Rs 10-15 crore for penthouses and large villas with own gardens and pools

Property Poetry

"You can hear your own body pumping, gurgling and drifting off to sleep under a star-claduniverse when the world is whispering in awe of your escape."

"Who knows better the pain of an NRI than another NRI?"

"Your wife snaps you out of your reverie with a cup of fragrant Moorish coffee."

"Another Place. Another World."

"Thy Kingdom Come."

Gated communities abroad

• Began in America in the late 1960s and 1970s, and proliferated in the 1980s. Leisure prime motive, but later security.
  
• Travelled around the world, and surfaced in Middle East as compounds for expats, who could wear bikinis inside, even if burqas on the street.
  
• Indian model like the Latin American, in its contrast between global living inside and ordinary outside.

What are townships and integrated townships?
Large self-sufficient enclaves with homes, schools, offices, malls, multiplexes, private security, water, sewerage and waste management systems. Size: From 100 acres going up to thousands of acres. Over 200 townships over 2 lakh acres are under approval, planning and construction especially around the four metros.

Names: Any Place But Here

Connaught Place became Rajiv Chowk and Flora Fountain became Hutatma Chowk, but with gated communities, we’re back to:
Ye Olde England Hamilton Court, Regency Park, Windsor Manor
American Dream Malibu Towne, Beverly Hills, Orange County, Boulder Hill, Sierra, Central Park, Tribeca
Namaste London Knightsbridge, St John’s Wood, Notting Hill, Hiranandani Chelsea
Greek City-State Acropolis, Megapolis

Rules: Hello Singapore

"Please report in if you find someone spoiling your own complex."

"Please do not bang your rackets and bodies against the rear wall."

"Please do not wipe sweaty hands here."

"Please do not use high-heeled sandals while walking on the running track."