Hardeep S. Puri, the Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, lauded the AMRUT Mission and its role in creating a sustainable urban form during the National Urban Planning Conclave 2023. The conclave served as a dynamic platform for discussions on urban planning and aimed to shape the future of India’s urban development through inclusive and sustainable practices.
Minister’s Keynote Address:
In his keynote address, Minister Hardeep S. Puri highlighted the transformative impact of various missions under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. These missions have significantly improved the quality of life in cities by providing universal access to water and sanitation, developing sustainable transportation infrastructure, and addressing affordable housing requirements.
Importance of Urban Planning Reforms:
Minister Puri emphasized that implementing urban planning reforms has made Indian cities attractive destinations for investments. The Ministry has allocated Rs. 15,000 crores to incentivize and prioritize reforms in key areas such as modernization of building bye-laws, transit-oriented development, transferable development rights, integration of blue and green infrastructure, affordable housing through in-situ rehabilitation, and capacity building.
Holistic Policy Ecosystem:
The Minister stressed the importance of creating a holistic policy ecosystem to ensure last-mile access to services, enhanced operational efficiencies, area-based planning, infusion of digital technology, ease of doing business, and outcome-based performance frameworks. These elements are crucial for promoting sustainable urban development and supporting economic growth.
Focus Areas and Presentations:
The two-day conclave included 24 presentations by key speakers, including Chief Town Planners from State TCP Departments and Urban Development Authorities. The technical sessions covered a wide range of themes, such as transit-oriented development, transferable development rights, local area plans, affordable housing, environmentally sustainable development, NCR Plan 2041, and the Master Plan of Delhi-2041.
Exhibition of Good Practices:
An exhibition showcased projects undertaken by states, UTs, and urban planning academic institutions. Examples of good practices included implementing transit-oriented development in Chennai, local area plans in Indore and Chennai, town planning schemes in Surat and Pune, and environmentally sustainable master plans. Academic institutions presented their work on various planning projects in cities like Jaipur, Guwahati, Mahabaleshwar, and more.
Facilitating Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Development:
The workshop deliberations provided a platform for experts, policymakers, and visionaries to shape the future of India’s urban planning. The sharing of experiences and knowledge enabled state governments and UTs to draw up roadmaps for implementing urban planning reforms and improving the lives of urban dwellers. The conclave facilitated discussions on inclusive and sustainable urban development and brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, academic institutions, and organizations like GIZ and JICA.
