In the post-liberalization era, large tracts of land are taken over as Special Economic Zones. While it raises several questions on access to land, ownership, fragmentation and dislocation, they also provide valuable opportunities for rethinking many of the normative principles with respect to planning, design and occupation of land. 

The master planning process for a rolling terrain with rocky outcrops and dense vegetation is centered around conservation of natural resources, focusing on an integrated approach to water management. In this particular case, managing rain water meant creating the first source of water on an otherwise dry and distant site. Proposed land uses are derived in specific response to the land potential, maximizing the natural potential while ensuring that the built component causes the least disruption of natural processes. 

The distribution of the built components – roads, infrastructure and buildings – are designed to create better resilience for the development in terms of water, waste and energy management. A series of reservoirs – both perennial and seasonal – were critical in structuring the master plan as well as make the development water secure. A dedicated program to re-green the site is based on extensive studies of the regional biodiversity, creating specific biomes for dry and wet landscapes within the site.

The master planning processes effectively addressed complex issues of phasing, densities and site management to integrate ecological, functional, infrastructural and aesthetic parameters in a sustainable manner.

The Infosys Campus is located at Pocharam near Hyderabad, India.