The city of Kochi can be sub-divided into different zones. Consider the area that was considered as a major business center in earlier times. This zone is now part of the prominent old city area. Created in the nineteenth century, it was a teeming commerce center. The main feature of this zone is its few vacant spaces and other built up areas. Some open spaces can still be seen in this zone.
The southern part of this zone is a major business area and in the south-eastern part is the main retail center. The Cantonment area is a planned sector with very little built up area, since it was set apart for future developments. Other areas of this middle zone are fully built up, i.e. from 60 to 80 percent.
This zone is highly commercialized, with moderately congested residential, administrative zones and a large area set apart for the use of the public. It is an area that has witnessed planned urban growth and scores of straight roads have now made connection quite easier. In the western part of this zone, many of the prominent industries are located. Scores of small scale industries have also got established. This zone is characterized by low and middle class residences with very few high class houses. The area around the former Jew Street was a focal point of this zone. A number of state offices, private offices, shopping complexes, cinema halls etc. were located here in earlier times. This zone is characterized by multiple use of land and mixed land-values.
When analyzing the developments in Real Estate Kochi always took a different line that is much different from those prevailing in other areas. Zonal development in real estate has ensured a better deal for land-owners and also the prominent business houses. Businesses in the red could totally diversify by selling off the landed properties located in the prime areas. Since the land values have already gone up by more than 300 percent in certain areas, selling off the company land at a higher price helped to relocate the work to other more convenient areas. Thus, the move for a loan or other grants for business diversification could be avoided.
