The majority of the middle class has always lived in cities, and this trend has not changed in the last few decades. Cities are undergoing severe change due to urban growth, which has transformed them into industrial areas and increased middle-class families. The middle class is generally defined as a group between the high and low classes. The economic growth engine supported by this class has been recognized for its productivity and resourcefulness. The middle class provides a solid foundation for business investment. Architecturally speaking, the middle class continues to increase; we can witness a trend away from a traditional design that caters to the middle class. Buildings get sleeker, more contemporary, and more high-tech as time passes. As a result, many middle-class residents believe that their space for living, moving, and working has been restricted; as a result, many middle-class residents believe that their margin for living, moving, and working has been limited, and these people may feel less in control of their living environments.
India’s middle class: During the past few years, the middle class has multiplied in India, and their living conditions have changed to meet their lifestyle needs. Due to the evolution of society, these middle-class places have taken on entirely different styles and essences. A lack of resources and a desire to earn a living with minimal expenditure have led middle-class Indians to abandon traditional building approaches. Modern society has many benefits that cater to the needs of the middle class, but certain limitations have affected the country’s general character of architectural design. This article explores how the limits of modern living conditions have affected individuals in this class. With the help of technology and social growth, we will review how these transformations have come about and their possibility for future progress.
A Shift from Independent Housing to Apartment Culture | Modern Society
Those seeking independent housing in modern cities need help navigating. The city is experiencing an apartment boom, and residents are selling their large single-family homes to private developers. A growing apartment culture has influenced the concept of living in a broader context. It is a common phenomenon that people lose touch with traditional cultural values when they move to apartment-style living. It is important to note that modern apartment designs reflect the western way of living. Even though there are more amenities, such as swimming pools, play areas, gyms, etc., we have abandoned the way people lived 50 years ago. There is a lost meaning to life in apartment culture, which consists of a more significant proportion of nuclear families than extended families—no need to worry about what happens next door because almost all emergencies are managed through high-tech facilities. A house owned independently can be customised to suit the owner’s taste, whereas apartments are limited in customization capabilities even though they are their own. In apartment complexes, the likelihood of having strong social skills is much more likely than in independent housing neighbourhoods. Community events, festivals, and parties in an apartment’s clubhouse or garden area attract residents and motivate them to live harmoniously. Sanjeev Shrivasta,(BCCL(2020)) the chairman and managing director of Assotech, says, “The New Age customers are finding community living more attractive given the nature of facilities offered as well as the ease in tackling maintenance and security, which is the responsibility of the RWA.” According to him, a typical home buyer does not have the time or energy to spare to build a house. Today, it is easy for middle-class people to accommodate themselves with a good apartment but not in an individual home.Today middle-class people find it easy to live in apartments rather than in independent houses.
Turning Creativity into a Business Opportunity
Creative industries have boomed in recent years. Nowadays, almost every DIY project can be converted into a small business. People are showcasing their artwork and inventing new business ideas for decorating their homes and interiors through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. As a first step, many people change their workplace, decorate their balconies, and renovate their interior spaces. It is common for most people to need more time to have that creative flow, so they resort to easy solutions, such as hiring contractors to renovate their homes. Architects and designers are not affordable for middle-class families. They will likely search for references on Pinterest and other design websites to get the same concept in their homes, but the idea often fails to strike a chord with architects and designers. As the fees for these services are incredibly high, this harms the jobs of designers and architects. Providing the same services at a more affordable price will eventually lead to people opting for small businesses.
From Clean to Polluted. | Modern Society
Interestingly, people used to walk or cycle to their workplace, and only the rich could afford a four-wheel vehicle. It would be nice to see fewer cars or scooters on the road, and people would prefer to walk at least two or three miles a day. The digital age has inevitably reduced the demand for such a lifestyle. It is common for people to take a cab or an auto to travel half a mile. These days, urban planners are making advancements in road infrastructure so that we can travel by car or public transit. It is shocking to see how untidy and disorderly our society has become. Think about it. Do we need to pay more attention to walking and cycle paths because of road infrastructure design, or have we chosen to ease our lifestyles? As we observe the advancement of new road infrastructure with well-maintained service roads, we wonder where the cycling and walking lanes are located. This entire section of the plan needs to be addressed in the current environment. Over time, people became too lazy to get up and walk, resulting in a detrimental effect on the environment by reducing the quality of life and making it difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle. When asked about a city, older generations would initially mention a city with clean water, proper sanitation, traffic-free roads, and a pollution-free environment fifty years ago. But what can we imagine a city looking like today? Simply a smart city. With the increase in population, our way of life has changed from pure to polluted, and we have neglected to take care of it.
Engineers are Cheaper than Architects
Middle-class people prefer to choose engineers because Architects focus primarily on building design, whereas engineers can be found in all industries. An architect did not design the building in which you are currently living. We see most of the physical world around us without their help. Many are professionals at designing spaces and residences, yet many live on the fringes of their group, looking within, being misused by others, having their perspectives rejected, and doubting their existence. It is common for middle-class families to view the architect only as an agent between them and their ideal home. Architects generally charge more than middle-class people can afford, which causes them to choose engineers instead of architects for their projects. Most middle-class people do not need an architect to design their homes; they can spend their money on marble floors or modular kitchens instead. Architects generally charge more than middle-class people can afford, which causes them to choose engineers instead of architects for their projects. There is a minimal market for architects for middle class rather than the modern society, which is not easy to access in a middle-class society.
Availability of Services is Faster.
The current market is dominated by e-commerce; for the past decade, the advantages of selling goods and services online have been significant. There are almost no limits to what can be purchased and sold online, from the tiniest of things to the most expensive. It has been observed that the middle-class population is becoming increasingly accustomed to using these services as they become popular and comfortable. In the digital age, middle-class people can trade products, use services, and share information more efficiently than ever before. Furthermore, these services are available on a 24/7 basis, enabling the middle class to browse or shop at their convenience at any time. The financial situation of most middle-class people in the past made it impossible for them to afford a car. Nevertheless, in today’s world, people can access ride-sharing services such as Uber, Ola, etc., with just a click in the app. It illustrates how far technology has progressed and how a man from a middle-class family can live in modern society.
With Education, any Dream is Possible. | Modern Society
The emergence of the Indian middle class relies heavily on education. The middle-class society believes that education opens up more career possibilities and increases incomes, yet allows the whole family to be more satisfactory. Since education is becoming one of the essential parts of middle-class modern society, most families are willing to spend more on their children’s education. Even middle-class families spend their entire savings on their children’s education abroad. Despite this massive investment in education, the country still needs to profit from its advantages. After graduating from international institutes, many students wish to remain and work in their host country. Additionally, it explains the shortages in the Indian educational system, which contribute to production unevenness and the upward circulation of financial help within Indian families.
References
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