Hindustan Times-Chandigarh’s pricey makeover: A tale of gentrification
Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, has long been admired for its modernist vision and orderly development. Designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, the city is now witnessing an unprecedented surge in real estate prices, exemplified by what’s been circulating on the grapevine about a residential plot being valued at a staggering ₹200 crore. This astronomical valuation is a clear sign of the rapid gentrification sweeping through the city. But what does this mean for its residents, urban landscape and the city’s original ethos?
The gentrification wave
Gentrification, a process where urban areas are transformed through the influx of wealthier investors, is often accompanied by rising property prices, commercial redevelopment and a shift in local demographics. Chandigarh’s real estate boom is not just about demand and supply but a broader shift toward exclusivity.
