A shift from the traditional to the modern

Kochi is now an emerging metropolis and the commercial capital of the state of Kerala, one of the most literate states of the Indian republic. Nearly 44 rivers criss cross the state and almost all the major cities are blessed with abundant water resources. River Periyar is a major source of water for irrigation and drinking purposes. It almost bifurcates the cities and towns through which it passes.

The urban sprawl of the post-independent evolution of the city structure and form has resulted in significant changes in the state. The traditional is increasingly making way for the modern. It is more evident in almost all the city centers and also the rural areas.

The urban land-use pattern and also the architectural changes may be seen in the perspective of the two periods namely the post independent period and also the pre-independence era in the understanding of the evolution of the growth related to histo-genesis and morphogenesis of the Kochi Metropolis. In a recent study conducted in Kochi, the city was divided into 40 wards with a population of more than 10 lakh people as per the 2001 census covering an area of 337.5 sq. km. Interesting conclusions could be made out of this study.

In modern times the people of Kerala are more attracted towards the global lifestyle. They are willing to give up their traditional environmentally viable living amenities to enjoy world-class luxuries. The proliferation of Apartments in Kerala is as a result of such a phenomenon. High-rise apartments thus have many takers these days.

The leading builders in Kerala have taken much care to offer the best for their esteemed customers. The high cost of an apartment by Indian standards is still not that much high, when considering the international standards and amenities on offer. The cost of a similar apartment in the developed world will be several times the cost quoted in cities like Kochi.