Parks enhance property value

Parks enhance property value
The BBMP plans to have a park in each ward, says Leena Mudbidri


With more trees being felled for road widening works, it comes as a whiff of fresh air to know that open spaces around the city are being developed into parks. Presently, 916 open spaces have been identified for greening by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in a bid to give the city better green spaces.
The initiative is meant to make parks more accessible to citizens living in their vicinity and to make them recreational centres. "We will be taking up the works in phases and a budget of Rs 147 crores has been earmarked for development of parks and lakes," says A Narayana Swamy, Joint Director of Horticulture, BBMP.
The development of parks has been progressing since 2000 when major parks were initially taken up. "Last year, we took up 122 parks under the 2008-09 phase. We take up 100 parks each year. Currently, development of 650 parks is in progress," the official said.
Features
"It is our endeavour to make the parks not only accessible but also aesthetically pleasing to the citizens," says Swamy. The parks have been designed by professional architects who were chosen through a tender process. "We have planned a park in each ward of Bangalore. Each park will have pathways, beautiful water bodies, lights, pergolas, fencing, gazebo where people can hold music concerts, children's play area with swings, slides and other play furniture, benches, dustbins and toilets," he says.
Corporate, public
participation
The official points out that since the parks are being developed for the citizens, it is also their duty to contribute towards maintaining them. "People should contribute through 'corporate social responsibility' where corporate offices, schools and hospitals can come forward to maintain the parks, medians and circles. They can adopt these green spaces and look after the beautification and maintenance," he says.
Presently, 34 parks have been adopted by companies, schools and hospitals in the city. While BBMP is maintaining 202 parks, it has outsourced the maintenance of another 414 parks. The BBMP has set down stringent rules for the adoption and maintenance module. It is mandatory for corporates to maintain the parks for a minimum of 11 months after which the contract will be renewed for a maximum of four years.
Parks add value to
neighbourhoods
Well-developed recreational spots not only add aesthetic value to the neighbourhood but also enhance the social infrastructure scenario. While most home seekers zero in on the best location for their future homes, improved connectivity and social infrastructure such as hospitals, educational institutions, shops and recreational centres around this location is high on their preference list.
As families grow, everybody looks at the future security and well-being of their family members. Parks and lakes add to the scenic charm of neighbourhoods and bring in some greenery and tranquility, adding to the real estate value of the property around.