Mumbai, 27th June 2025: Industry leaders at Mumbai’s Design POV panel stress the need for resident-friendly, sustainable housing design, warning against FSI-driven expansion and amenities marketing detached from actual resident needs
“Everything is promised—pools, gyms, clubhouses—but rarely do residents actually use or maintain them. Once the project is completed, developers are gone in a year or two. The onus of running these facilities falls on the housing society. So, are we really thinking practically?” asked Jitendra Mehta, Former President, CREDAI-MCHI, striking a candid note at the inaugural Design POV panel discussion held in Mumbai.
Setting the tone, Jitendra Mehta remarked that in the race to sell a lifestyle, many residential projects were beginning to resemble resorts, without ensuring long-term comfort or functionality for families. He highlighted the widening gap between what is promised during marketing and the lived experience of residents once developers exit projects.
Adding to this, Domnic Romell, Managing Director, Romell Group, called out the industry’s tendency to follow trends rather than actual market demand. “Developers have stopped building one-bedroom units, assuming everyone wants a two or three-bedroom flat. But that’s a mismatch. We’re ignoring evolving housing needs,” he observed. Romell also criticised the excessive focus on maximising Floor Space Index (FSI) at the cost of open spaces, warning that such compromises negatively impact both liveability and sales.
The discussion also touched upon emerging urban growth models, with Jitendra Mehta pointing to Thane as a compelling example. “Thane is blessed by nature—hills, water bodies, open space. Luxury, to me, is what enhances your happiness index. Thane offers that joy through better infrastructure, Vastu-compliant designs, and far greater value compared to cramped areas in South Mumbai,” he noted.
Offering a design perspective, Ar Karl Wadia redefined the idea of luxury in housing. “Luxury is not a checklist. For one person, it’s a big clubhouse; for another, it’s peace, fresh air, or a small community. True luxury begins with the basics—natural light, ventilation, thoughtful circulation. If you can’t experience what you pay for, it’s meaningless,” he stated. He urged developers to shift their focus from merely maximising FSI to creating optimised, human-centric spaces. “Sometimes building less and selling smarter yields better financial and human outcomes. Optimisation—not just expansion—is key,” he concluded.
The session brought together leading real estate developers and design experts to challenge outdated perceptions surrounding affordable housing and luxury developments. The discussion highlighted the need for developers to rethink their approach, moving beyond market-driven amenities and superficial luxury to prioritise people-centric, sustainable planning. Concluding on a unanimous note, experts stressed that with corridors like Thane and Navi Mumbai rapidly expanding, the true challenge is to create urban spaces that are not just marketable but genuinely livable, thoughtfully designed, and enriching for residents.
