No. PR- 069
June 24, 2021
New Delhi
Urban Area, Engine for Economic Growth & Development
The urban area is the engine for economic growth and development which is giving employment to a huge portion of the population. Constant redevelopment and investment are happening in urban areas to make them self-sustaining. Looking at the pace of development in the urban areas, we can estimate that in the next few years most of the country’s population will be living in the urban areas mentioned Mr. Durga Shankar Mishra, IAS, Secretary Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India in PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Housing Webinar on “Creating Self Sustaining Townships”.
Talking about the reforms and developments done by the government in the urban development and real estate sector, Mr. Durga Shankar Mishra mentioned that the Model Tenancy Act will help to transform, develop and formalize the rental housing market in the times of come. He mentioned that Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation Guidelines (URDPFI) help us to understand urban planning while making cities. We need to make cities that can foresee or predict the environmental challenges to avoid water clogging and environmental degradation; efficient solid waste management; ensure safety and security; understand how to make cities self-sustaining and energy-efficient. He emphasized the need for digitization of cities which will be essential for the future as IT and communication systems will become essential to mankind.
Talking about smart cities, he mentioned that a lot of learning has been done on smart cities which will help to create movement towards transforming urban and rural cities into smart cities in the future. We need to get more from less.
Prof. Dr. P S N Rao, Director, and Prof. of Housing, School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi in his presentation on the sustainable township for new urban India deliberated the traditional town in India; the advent of modernity, and the need for city expansion. Talking about essential sustainability features in townships, he discussed its advantages which included efficiency in terms of land, energy, water, waste management, design, resources, and reduction of greenhouse gases, and improvement of the indoor environment. He emphasized that there is a need for more financial incentives to promote sustainable townships
Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHDCCI in his presidential address deliberated about the growing need for urban and housing development to cater to the needs of the future.
Talking about the barriers faced by the country which are hampering the development of self-sustaining townships and cities, he mentioned that India requires a far more efficient and sustainable solution for servicing urban areas and can reap the benefits by using technology to learn from best practices from other parts of the world to develop smart mobility, smart transportation, smart housing and safe neighborhoods of the future.
Mr. Aggarwal mentioned that even though there are humongous challenges but India, too, is on the road to building smart cities which are world-class and self-sustainable and PHD Chamber assures our full cooperation in making this a reality.
Mr. Manish Agarwal, Chair, Housing, and Urban Development Committee, PHDCCI while sharing industry perspective mentioned that smart townships will be the future of the nation which will be self-sustaining and eco-friendly. He discussed the challenges in the development of Self-Sustaining Townships which included Retrofitting existing legacy city infrastructure to make it smart; Financing of Self Sustaining Townships; Financial sustainability of municipal bodies and Public participation in the design of Self Sustaining Townships
Mr. Goonmeet Singh Chauhan, Co-Chairman, Housing, and Urban Development Committee, PHDCCI while delivering a formal vote of thanks to all the delegates and participants, mentioned that there is a need for integrated townships that are self-sustaining, compact urban ecosystems are now more than just lifestyle upgrades.
The session witnessed the presence of Mr. Pradeep Multani, Senior VP, PHDCCI, and was moderated by Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHDCCI, and was attended by many industry stalwarts across the country. Elematic India Pvt. Ltd was the Sponsor and Association of Municipalities and Development Authorities (AMDA) was the Supporting Partner of the Webinar. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s webinar was supported by DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; UFLEX Ltd; JK Tyre & industries ltd; Marble City; Paramount Cables ltd; SMC Investments and Advisors Limited; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; Comtech Interio; DCM Shriram Industries Ltd; Radico Khaitan ltd; Ajit Industries Pvt Ltd; Synergy Environics Ltd; Timberworkz and IFFCO.
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Media Division
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry