: Tilisi mega-city has today begun construction of its first housing project, reversing the trend towards high density properties with the 186-home Tilisi Views residential estate offering home-owners spacious green gardens on half of each plot, tree-lined streets, extra play areas in every hub of 15 to 30 villas, and additional acres of communal recreational space.
“We have seen developers moving inexorably towards higher density developments as a way of supposedly lifting revenues, with even detached villas offering little more than a parking space for new owners. But we have decided to stay true to our dream of a better lifestyle at Tilisi, with houses on one eighth, a quarter, and half acre plots, all designed to maximise garden space,” said Kavit Shah, co-CEO of Tilisi Developments Plc, the developer of the Tilisi mega-city.
Set on the Waiyaki Way and 10 minutes from the intersection with Nairobi’s Southern bypass, the new residential estate, which is fully financed from its outset, will be surrounded by trees along the roads to offer a cooling breeze, and will include nine play areas, one for each cluster of 15 to 30 villas, as well as two acres of a communal clubhouse, a recreation space and jogging tracks.
“Delivering a better quality of life at Tilisi has seen us concentrate on creating a green and natural environment, as something we can do from our positioning that literally isn’t possible in Kilimani, or Westlands, or even very much in Gigiri, nowadays. But it creates an entirely different kind of life for our future residents,” said Ranee Nanji, joint CEO of Tilisi.
This is supported by global research, with the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reporting that people who live close to green space have lower rates of depression and anxiety and better physical health than those who live in more urban settings.
The journal reported that incidences of anxiety were 50 per cent lower and of depression 25 per cent lower for people living in areas with 90 per cent green space within two miles of their homes, compared to those living in areas with 10 per cent or less green space.
Further research by Harvard University found that residents who had any kind of green space within 200 meters of their homes had a 12 per cent lower rate of mortality than those living in areas without greenery. This was because the more natural environment decreased the rate of cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory and digestive diseases, mental illness and musculoskeletal disorders.
Gardens and green open spaces also encourage more physical activity. But even viewing nature scenes reduces blood pressure, respiration rate, brain activity, and the production of stress hormones, within three to four minutes, while also improving mood.
“Our goal with the project was to meet the needs of Kenyan home owners by offering a serene beautiful environment at an affordable rate,” said Ranee.
With seven different house designs to choose from, pricing of the villas will range from Sh19m for three bedrooms to Sh60m for five bedrooms. Construction of the first 26 units has begun and will be completed by October 2021.The project which is fully financed by Tilisi Development PLC, will sit on 41 acres of the 400 acre mega city, with an open day scheduled for 26th and 27th October 2019.