Bangalore is growing out of bounds and is practically bursting at its seams despite the district having the facility of ‘greater Bangalore’. Builders who were finding spaces in the fringes of the city, are now going way beyond to provide housing with optimum facilities at ‘reasonable rates’ out of the city. Old homes in the heart of the city which were once housed in spacious compounds are being re-structured as apartments. In fact, a tour through the city will reveal that not an inch of valuable space has been left vacant.

Vertical growth
Urban Bangalore is housing high-rise apartments in tens of thousands to accommodate millions of people who are constantly migrating to the city. Despite providing all the conveniences of a cosy home under one roof, people are constantly facing problems getting access to basic amenities. While problems like shortage of water, frequent power cuts, inadequate transport facilities and lack of privacy are tackled in unique manners using financial strength, the problem that is faced by most urbanites happens to be parking spaces both at home and elsewhere.

Apartments constructed in the recent past have ample parking space in their basement and the residents in the block are allotted space in the basement for parking their vehicles while private offices, shops and individual homes have arranged for parking spaces in the available space.Though this kind of an arrangement appears to be very sensible, it happens to have lost its validity these days. The generous car loans provided by banks and organisations have increased the number of vehicles on the roads making the four-wheeler a veritable menace to the society we live in.

Besides contributing actively to global warming and burning a hole in the pocket, it also is proving to be a constant source of worry because the four-wheeler needs to be parked when you are attending to your job or errand. While car-pooling and use of public vehicles seem to be the most logical way out, it has a futuristic mode about it which will probably take a decade to sink in to the psyche of the people in general. Right now, providing parking spaces for individuals, companies, schools, small factories and organisations is proving to be a challenge.
Useful business

If one is enterprising, a little homework on the subject can turn it into a fabulous and profitable business idea. Initially, the people who do not own vehicles can rent out their parking spaces to the “ have – nots”.

The owners of flats who do not live in the city can follow their footsteps. It is a well-known fact that it is not wise on the owner’s part to leave a vacant site anywhere in the city as there is always the fear of the space being illegally occupied the moment you turn your back.

Such site owners who have no inclination to build in the near future can invest a little to build a functional garage that can be rented out to vehicle owners, shops, hotels and other public offices, schools and even parks for a reasonable sum.

While you are at it, you can make the exercise eco-friendly and cost efficient at the same time.

This method will not only help you keep track of your precious piece of land but will also help you earn its keep and the goodwill of the people around you.

You can be sure that this trend will automatically boost the economy and the well known image of Bangalore comprising people who are endowed with the virtue of  “Swalpa adjust maadkoli” and overcome at least the little problems faced by “Namma Bengalooru” in as green a manner as possible.

Designing your parking space

Fence the plot up to a height of four or five feet on three sides and fix a long collapsible gate at the front so that it doubles up as the front fence and gate.

Plant bushy shrubs along the fence and pave the ground with unpolished damaged or broken tiles picked up from tile shops for free or a throwaway price.

Fix the tiles in such a way so that grass can be grown along the erratic borders to make it look verdant and beautiful. 

Fix a couple of corrugated lightweight iron poles and build a sloping tiled roof that will not only usher in an old-world charm but will also keep the place cool. 

If you trail a flowering creeper on the roof the effect will leave the onlooker stunned. A wash basin with running water and electric lights on the premises, will add value to your garage. 

If space permits you can build a small but well ventilated cabin with a bunker bed, an in-built cupboard and a functional restroom which can be occupied by the security guard.