Mysuru,
Karnataka

Mysuru is situated to the south of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, built on the Kaveri River. The Chamundi Hills on the southeastern side is a prominent geographical marker on the otherwise gently undulating landscape on which the city and its urban regions are settled. The historical core of the city is defined by the foothills marked by several large lakes which are surrounded by sparsely situated institutional programs. Mysuru transitioned from a trade-based economy to a manufacturing economy around the early 20th century under the patronage of the royal family. Since 2010, the IT and hospitality sectors have become major drivers of the economy of the city. Most of the manufacturing and IT-related industries are located in the Northern part of the city. The desirable climatic conditions, royal heritage, and scenic natural settings have also made Mysuru a preferred retirement city, especially for people from Bangalore. With such a wide range of developments happening across the city, the housing and construction patterns have also seen a substantial transformation, which is the main focus of this study. The study covers a broad spectrum of emerging urban contexts - from commercial and retirement housing to urban transformation of old markets and lake precincts.