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Why Urban Development Is The Key To India’s Growth?

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Urban Development Helps Build Smart Cities With Green Parks and Safe Streets

The Gujarat Regional Chapter of the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) hosted a high-level workshop on “Densification of Existing Cities: Opportunities & Challenges”, bringing together urban planners, government officials, academicians, and industry leaders from across the country.
Experts around the world say that building up instead of out helps cities stay greener, save money, and serve people better. When homes, offices, and shops are close together, we use less land, protect nature, and make public services like water, buses, and electricity work smarter at a lower cost.

Organised as part of Urban Development Year 2025, declared by the Government of Gujarat, the event drew delegates from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, and the host state, Gujarat.
This focus on urban development matches big plans in other parts of India, too. For example, Uttar Pradesh aims to make ten of its cities strong, liveable hubs by 2047 and raise its urban share to 60%. That is a sign that many states are thinking hard about how to grow in smart ways.

Delivering the welcome address, NK Patel, National President of ITPI, underlined the urgent need for cities to adopt compact development models.
“India has less than one acre of land per citizen. Urban land is even scarcer. China has 2.5 times more land per citizen than the US. More than 50 Indian cities have a population of over one million. Brazen urbanisation poses serious challenges. Densification is not just desirable, but necessary. Expansion of cities increases costs and strains the infrastructure and public services. Densification can enable judicious utilisation of land, efficient infrastructure use, promote public transport, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen social cohesion,” Mr. Patel said.
Putting more people close together means fewer new roads and water pipes, so towns spend less on big projects. Also, people tend to walk or take buses more, so cities produce less pollution from cars and use less energy. And when neighbours share more spaces, friendships and stronger communities can grow.

Mr. Patel also noted that the state and central governments have realised the importance of planned urban development and have launched a host of initiatives to promote planned development in the last few years.
This shift is happening everywhere. New green laws encourage gardens on rooftops, small urban forests, and smarter building designs. These steps help reduce heat, clean air, give people fun places to be, and make cities healthier overall.

Delivering the keynote address, CEPT University President Barjor Mehta noted the strategic importance of cities in India’s economic aspirations.
“For decades, we called India a land of villages, but now it is widely recognised that cities are the engines of growth. No country in the world has developed without urbanising. We are a country of 1.4 billion people, and without cities, we will never be able to realise the true potential of our people. To move from a $4 trillion economy to $10 trillion, our cities must become dynamic, productive, and efficient,” he said.
Cities are where ideas, jobs, and investment come together. They help people learn, sell things, and meet new friends. When lots of people meet, new businesses and ideas pop up fast. That helps make India richer, stronger, and fairer, since cities give many kinds of jobs and chances to do well.

Mr. Mehta warned that cities that stagnate suffer an economic death and highlighted the need for cities to constantly renew themselves. He also called for planning laws to actively encourage the redevelopment of cities.
Treating old buildings or unused areas as opportunities instead of eyesores is a smart way to make cities fresh again. It brings back jobs, homes, and pride, without chopping down forests or hurting nature.

Ahmedabad Mayor and Guest of Honour Pratibha Jain noted the city’s growing stature on the global map.
“Ahmedabad is a UNESCO World Heritage City and the cleanest large city in India. With the city gearing up to host the 2036 Olympics, infrastructure and amenities are being upgraded to international standards. The Gujarat government’s commitment to urbanisation, reflected in Urban Development Year 2025, will contribute significantly to India’s journey to becoming a developed nation,” she said.
Cherishing the city’s old charm while upgrading roads, parks, and services shows how blending heritage with modern light can make a city shine even brighter on the world stage.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Rajesh Rawal, Program Coordinator, ITPI Gujarat Chapter, observed that more than 1,000 town planning schemes have been made in Gujarat and noted that the town planning scheme for the upcoming high-speed rail corridor was prepared in just 8–9 months. He also emphasised the importance of such workshops in knowledge-sharing.
When planners move fast and share ideas, they can get big things done. Quick plans for rail or housing show that working together and learning from others make cities smarter, stronger, and full of hope.

The workshop also featured sessions on Policy & Regulations, Technology in Urban Planning, and Global Case Studies, with leading planners, academicians, and industry experts from organisations such as HCP Design, ESRI India, CEPT University, and Gujarat Technological University, among the key speakers.
Using smart tools—like maps that show traffic and data on water use—helps planners make better choices. Learning from other cities around the world gives fresh ideas: from quieter streets to timely buses, each smart step makes life easier and greener.

The experts discussed how compact, mixed-use redevelopment within existing neighbourhoods can help cities optimise infrastructure investment, improve access to jobs and markets, enhance public spaces, and create more inclusive and sustainable growth.
Putting homes, workplaces, shops, and parks close by makes life simpler. People can walk or bike for daily needs. That saves money, cuts pollution, brings neighbours together, and ensures that everyone—young or old, rich or not—gets a fair chance to live well in the city we all share.

The programme covered key themes such as regulatory frameworks, digital tools for evidence-based planning, best practices in urban renewal, and inclusive approaches to affordability, mobility, and public spaces. The deliberations aim to translate insights into actionable recommendations for policy, regulation, and pilot interventions to guide sustainable urban transformation.
Good plans use data to know what really works. Ideas are tested—not just talked about—and made fair. That means our cities don’t lag. Instead, they grow smart, green, and welcoming for all.