| As opposed to a pure senior living model, developers | | | | them to enjoy a great view," points out Jaivir Singh |
| today are getting ready to launch inter-generational | | | | of the group. |
| townships | | | | Different formats there are two ways in which IG |
| Manohar Singh, a marketing professional who travels | | | | communities can be created. The first way, according |
| extensively, constantly worries about his father's | | | | to Roy, is to develop an age-targeted enclave or a |
| security and medical needs. The duo share a strong | | | | cluster within a master planned community, |
| bond and yet cherish their independence. They're | | | | something that the developers targeting senior |
| looking for a modern housing option where they | | | | accommodation in India are focusing on. The second |
| need not live under the same roof but at the same | | | | involves a pre-planned infill pattern wherein senior |
| time stay close to each other. Well, the Singhs can | | | | housing is sprinkled over a larger neighbourhood |
| count themselves lucky as some developers are | | | | involving multiple generations in agetargeted homes. A |
| planning to introduce inter-generational (IG) townships | | | | massive experiment of this nature was undertaken in |
| in the market soon. These would be integrated | | | | Denver, US, over a 4,700 acre redevelopment |
| townships that include an enclave or a special cluster | | | | exercise. The layout pattern had both small and large |
| for seniors with special facilities such as nursing care | | | | lot sizes. This promoted natural selection wherein a |
| and a wellness centre. | | | | community was created with different age groups |
| What is IG housing? | | | | living together in spaces specifically designed for |
| Studies have indicated that seniors, especially the | | | | them. |
| post independence generation, do not wish to be | | | | In both cases, placement of amenities and landscape |
| isolated in remote retirement villages but prefer to be | | | | can play an important role in connecting the private |
| actively involved in the changing urban cityscape. A | | | | home areas to the common areas such as a |
| popular concept in the US, these inter-generational | | | | clubhouse, dining areas, nursing care, or wellness |
| communities can become relevant from an Indian | | | | centres. In a particular neighbourhood in the US, an |
| standpoint too. Developers can carve out | | | | architect placed the club house and the common |
| well-planned enclaves aimed at seniors within their | | | | areas such as coffee shops, restaurants and |
| integrated townships and carefully integrate the same | | | | convenience stores in such a manner that it was |
| in the overall plan. | | | | convenient to the senior for his active daytime usage |
| So, an elderly couple can have their children with their | | | | and for youngsters' usage in the mornings or late |
| nuclear families living a block or two away. The | | | | evenings. This also promoted intermingling of |
| younger lot can enjoy its independence and yet, | | | | generations, which is extremely healthy for seniors |
| reassuringly, just be a phone call away from the | | | | and young people. Schools, colleges, creche, day care |
| parents. | | | | facilities and even small time businesses can be |
| "These dwellings enable elders to look at retirement | | | | designed inside the township so as to encourage |
| from a fresh perspective -the beginning of an active | | | | seniors, repositories of knowledge and learning, to |
| new lifestyle where they are not only well taken care | | | | work as teachers and advisors. |
| of but even get to deploy their skills to serve | | | | Such engagement activities help the social fabric |
| society or pick up a new hobby," says Saumyajit | | | | develop in a township and also provide seniors with a |
| Roy, assistant vice president, strategic business unit, | | | | sense of identity. |
| education, healthcare and senior living at Jones Lang | | | | The model As in the US, IG colonies can be based on |
| LaSalle Meghraj. | | | | equity, lease, deposit fee or a combination model. |
| Varied products The Indian housing market has been | | | | These communities, unlike standalone senior living |
| experimenting with models for senior living. From old | | | | resorts, provide for economy of scale as many |
| age homes built on a single plot to senior living | | | | facilities are shared. |
| resorts located away from the city, spread across | | | | "It is possible to develop well-planned senior enclaves |
| three to five acres, the sector will now see the | | | | within larger townships since it cross-subsidises the |
| advent of IG communities located on land parcels | | | | cost of development of common area facilities |
| that are as big as 50 acres to 1000 acres. | | | | among larger townships and makes the |
| Rakindo Developers Private Ltd will launch one such | | | | neighbourhood attractive for seniors," says Roy. |
| project, Kovai Hills, in June this year. Located on the | | | | Usually, in many senior living facilities, developers offer |
| fast developing Coimbatore Pallakad corridor, the | | | | a payback scheme for these homes after the |
| project is to be developed over 1,000 acres and will | | | | demise of the residents. |
| have a 100bedded hospital, a wellness spa, schools, | | | | People get to buy membership to live there and use |
| colleges and even a 18-hole golf course thrown in. | | | | the facilities for as long as they live. |
| Says Dr Prashant Koneru, the company's | | | | Impact Senior Living Estates Private Limited offers |
| director-development, "It's wrongly assumed that | | | | two models -a high entry charge and a monthly |
| seniors want to live a secluded life. They would much | | | | amount (approximately Rs 20 lakh as entry charge |
| rather interact with and play an important role in | | | | and Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 that includes food and |
| giving back something to society. That's why we | | | | housekeeping) or a low entry amount and a high |
| decided to introduce this concept in our integrated | | | | monthly charge (approximately Rs 42,000-Rs 48,000 |
| township. We also plan to replicate the model in our | | | | per month), points out Singh. |
| future townships in Kumarakom and Chennai." Impact | | | | Adds Koneru, "We are planning to introduce a lease |
| Senior Living Estates Private Ltd, too, is coming up | | | | model (creating a low entry barrier) which will cover |
| ILLUSTRATION: ABHIMANYU SINHA with a similar | | | | housing, food, regular medical check-ups and |
| facility in Amritsar. This will be part of a larger | | | | specialised services such as house accountants, etc." |
| township spread over 50 acres with three to four | | | | The future Inter-generational colonies have a bright |
| acres reserved for senior residents. | | | | future in India. |
| "It will be a gated colony within a colony. The focus | | | | This is because many township projects in the |
| is on service and medical care. | | | | country cover areas of well over 30 acres, where |
| There will be nursing care and healthcare provided by | | | | the developer can easily use a part of his project to |
| Fortis. The seniors' facility will be located at the far | | | | create an enclave which has facilities that elders can |
| end of the colony for their security and to enable | | | | appreciate. |