Construction practices have morphed over time, while moving from ‘durable and long-lasting structures’ to ‘eye-catching glossy buildings’ driven mainly by profit margins. Real estate industry is being perceived as a golden goose wherein all participants - builders, contractors, interior decorators, material fabricators, suppliers etc., try to milk the cash cow, realising affordability and spending capacity of the neo-consumer. Recent market trends and practices exhibit very less regard for climate control or environmental hazards, ignoring all norms of sustainability. This indicates a strong need to enforce statutory norms for sustainable construction, inspite of existing guidelines for green construction practices.

There has been a major change in the way residential buildings are being constructed over the past couple of decades. Of late, individual houses have given way to apartments, be it in the form of multiple blocks or standalone buildings. The social shift from joint families to nuclear ones has cast a corresponding effect where huge mansions get replaced by single-family housing. 

The contemporary practice of Builder Floors in Metros and Tier 1 cities has resulted in complete transformation of the landscape. Picturesque villas including elegant lawns and enclosed parking bays are getting replaced by monstrous structures with terrace gardens and kerb-side parkings, demonstrating complete disregard for Floor-Area Ratio. The increased density puts a pressure on basic infrastructure - sewerage, water,........

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