House construction costs in India, plus more reports

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, here’s an overview of the current average house construction costs across different Indian regions. In other headlines, examine how 20th-century utopian urban planning concepts might have evolved if shaped by today’s participatory planning. Lastly, Philippine users had the second-highest share of downloads of Chinese mobile applications globally this year.

Construction cost per square foot: What is the house construction cost in India?

Understanding the construction cost per square foot is essential for anyone planning to build or invest in property in India. Construction costs can vary widely depending on factors like location, quality of materials, labour charges, and design preferences. Housing.com provides an overview of the current average costs across different regions and offers insights into how these costs may fluctuate based on choices and trends in the Indian real estate market. Whether you’re budgeting for a new home or assessing the viability of a commercial project, knowing these estimates can help guide informed decisions and effective financial planning.

Utopia vs. public reality: Lessons from 20th century urban planning

Kenzo Tange’s 1960 Tokyo Bay Plan reflected the zeitgeist of a society enamoured by rapid technological advancement and post-war optimism. Buckminster Fuller’s 1959 dome concept over Manhattan was developed on a belief in humanity’s ability to shape its environment on an unprecedented scale. Throughout the mid-20th century, utopian urban planning ideas sprouted in various parts of the world, driven by a unique combination of societal factors and psychological motivations.

While these visions were often marked by hope and ambition, they also reflected the broader economic growth and technological innovation of the time—factors that contributed to the bold fantasies of architects and urban designers eager to transform the urban landscape. Many saw an opportunity to redesign cities from the ground up, often bypassing the complexities of existing urban fabrics in favour of futuristic ideals. However, while these visions provoked forward-thinking practices, they often surprised the public and seemed distant or unattainable.

ArchDaily examines how these concepts might have evolved if shaped by today’s participatory planning, which prioritizes public engagement and community input.

Filipinos among top downloaders of Chinese apps globally, study shows

Philippine users had the second-highest share of downloads of Chinese mobile applications globally this year, according to a joint study by measurement and analytics company Adjust and Sensor Tower.

The Philippines’ install share of Chinese-developed apps stood at 21 percent, the report titled “Chinese Export Apps” showed. The study covered app downloads from January to September 2024. “According to the study, Southeast Asia (SEA) countries lead globally in the install share of Chinese apps, with Indonesia (22 percent), the Philippines (21 percent), Malaysia, Thailand (both 19 percent), Vietnam, and Singapore (both 18 percent) ranking among the top markets for Chinese app installs,” Adjust said in a statement reported by BusinessWorld.

“The rapid rise of Chinese apps worldwide underscores their influence in reshaping digital user experiences through gamification, artificial intelligence (AI), and personalization,” April Tayson, regional vice-president for INSEAU at Adjust, said. “Looking at how these apps have deeply integrated into our daily lives, Chinese apps’ momentum shows no signs of slowing down.”

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].