Are High Rises Worth the Hype? In terms of Financial Returns and Urban Planning

The Spark 

It started with a simple question that popped into my head while looking outside — are all these tall buildings really worth it? Every few months, a new residential tower seems to rise, promising luxury, convenience, and a “better” life. But I couldn’t help wondering what lies behind the glamour — are they financially smart investments or just modern trends?

During our Warangal trip, I noticed how people there valued land deeply — it wasn’t just property, but pride, security, and inheritance. That made me think about how, in cities, we divide land vertically through high-rises, reducing the amount of physical land people actually own or connect to.

What began as a simple interest in how houses are designed slowly turned into a deeper question — why do people choose high-rises, and how do factors like financial returns and urban planning influence these decisions?

Understanding the Problem: Empathy and Observation 

When I started thinking about high-rises, I began noticing them everywhere — new towers coming up in almost every corner of the city. Talking to people around me, I realised how opinions differed.

Some saw them as a symbol of comfort and modern living, while others felt disconnected from the ground and missed the open spaces older homes offered. During our Warangal trip, the contrast became even clearer — people there valued open land and space, while in cities, people were ready to trade that for convenience.

That difference made me understand how emotional and practical choices both shape where we live. It showed me that high-rises aren’t just about buildings; they represent how lifestyle, status, and economics come together in today’s cities

Developing the Idea: Research and Design 

In the beginning, I wanted to simply analyse whether high-rises were profitable investments. But through discussions, I realised that this project had to go beyond money — it needed to explore environmental and social dimensions too. I began researching urban planning principles, land use, and sustainability models.

I am collecting data on property values, and comparing investment returns between high-rises and low-rise housing, further i am planning on studying government housing policies. Slowly, my idea evolved into a more holistic exploration of how architecture, finance, and human needs intersect.

The Prototype or Outcome 

Since my research is ongoing, I don’t have a final prototype yet, but I have started building a framework for analysis. I’m creating a presentation that compares the financial returns of investing in high-rise apartments with traditional housing, while also examining how vertical growth affects urban planning.

My idea is to use real examples from growing Indian cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai to see both the advantages and challenges of vertical living. This will help me identify whether high-rises are genuinely beneficial or just a trend shaped by perception.

Reflection: What You Learned 

Even though the research has just begun, this project has already changed the way I look at cities. Earlier, I used to see tall buildings as a sign of progress, but now I understand how complex those decisions are.

Balancing design, cost, and sustainability isn’t easy, and every choice affects how people live. One challenge I faced was figuring out where to start — the topic felt too broad. With guidance, I learned to focus on the most meaningful aspects and take it one step at a time. This process has helped me build patience, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for the link between economics and architecture.

Looking Ahead: The Next Step 

In the coming weeks, I plan to collect more data, speak to residents living in both high-rises and independent homes, and study how urban planning policies influence these developments. I also want to understand how people emotionally connect to the spaces they live in.

To gain more real-world insight, I hope to do an internship at a construction or real estate company, where I can observe how projects are planned and executed. This project has strengthened my interest in exploring architecture and finance together, and I aim to continue this research to discover if high-rises are truly the future of modern living.

At Keystone International School, we nurture learners who think critically, question deeply, and explore real-world issues with purpose, just like the research you’ve read above. Our inquiry-driven approach empowers students to connect classroom learning with emerging fields such as urban planning, sustainability, architecture, finance, and more.

If you want your child to grow in an environment that values curiosity, research, innovation, and responsible global citizenship, we invite you to explore our admissions.

Blog Written By,

Lasya Reddy,

Grade_AS Level