Lavasa is a India's first planned hill city. This was planned to be a comprehensive city with residential, commercial, educational, and recreational zones. The city was designed to be environmentally sustainable with a focus on preserving the natural landscape. The architecture of Lavasa City draws inspiration from the Italian town of Portofino.
However, Lavasa has faced controversy and legal challenges regarding environmental concerns, land acquisition issues, and allegations of irregularities in the project's development.