Ministry incentivises reforms in priority areas for developments of cities
Implementing Urban planning reforms are making Indian cities attractive destinations for investments, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said at the inauguration of National Conclave on Urban Planning on 13 July 2023.
He has highlighted that with an allocation of Rs.15,000 crore to implement various reforms, the Ministry has incentivised and prioritised reforms in priority areas.
These are: 1. modernisation of building bye laws; 2. transit-oriented development; 3. adoption of Transferable Development Rights; 4. integration of blue and green infrastructure through nature-based solutions; 5. affordable Housing through in-situ rehabilitation; and 6. increased capacity building and recruitment the India’s rapid urbanisation presents an economic opportunity.
He further stressed upon creating a holistic policy ecosystem for ensuring last-mile access to services, enhanced operational efficiencies, area-based planning, infusion of digital technology, ease of doing business and outcome-based performance frameworks.
The two-days conclave had 24 presentations which included key speakers viz, Chief Town Planners from State TCP Departments and Urban Development Authorities.
Lead academicians in the field of urban planning will moderate 4 technical sessions comprising of key speakers who would be speaking on wide range of themes like Transit oriented Development, Transferable Development Rights, Local Area Plans and Town Planning Scheme, Affordable Housing, Environmentally Sustainable Development (sponge cities), NCR Plan, 2041 and Master Plan of Delhi-2041.
An Exhibition organized during the course of Conclave wherein States, UTs and urban planning academic institutions showcased the projects undertaken by them in various cities. Some of the good practices like implementing Transit Oriented Development in Chennai, Implementation of Local Area Plan in Indore and Chennai, Implementation of Town Planning Scheme in Surat and Pune, Environmentally Sustainable Master Plan Approach in Zero Valley were exhibited. Besides States urban planning, academic institutions also exhibited some of the projects viz., formulation of Local Area Plan and Town Planning Scheme for Jaipur and Guwahati by CEPT University, Planning for Eco sensitive zone, Mahabaleshwar by College of Engineering and Pune, Urban Redevelopment and Heritage Conservation by IIT Kharagpur and Building Resilient and Inclusive Communities by School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, etc.
The two-day workshop deliberations provided a platform to experts, policymakers, and visionaries to shape up the future of India’s urban planning and facilitate inclusive and sustainable urban development. It also enabled the State Governments and UTs to share and exchange the experiences in urban planning and as an outcome they can to draw up a road map for implementing the urban planning reforms for the betterment of the urban dwellers.
The conference was attended by about 1,000+ participants Principal Secretary of State Urban Development Department, Chief Town Planners State TCP Departments, Urban Development Authorities and Urban Local Bodies and leading head of leading academic institutions. Fiinews.com
