Smart Cities, Green Buildings: Charting India’s Path to Sustainable Urbanisation

India is witnessing an urban transformation whereby it is unusual in its enormity. In terms of Census data and according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, there will be over 600 million people living in urban areas by 2031. Such fast-paced urbanisation acts as an opportunity while posing an imminent threat. How do we set up future-fit cities: balancing economic growth along with environmental stewardship? It is through smart city-building and green building practices that inclusivity, resilient mechanisms, and sustainability can be achieved.

With urban areas contributing to over 60% of India's GDP, sustainable development cannot be an option for my country. Real estate, as the home of urban growth, must lead the change by practicing the new implications that flow in sustainability.

Why Indian Cities Need a Fresh Paradigm
Urbanisation is the bedrock of India’s march toward global economic prominence. However, unchecked growth comes at the cost of depleting resources, rising pollution, and deteriorating livability indices. Our cities need a transformative blueprint that prioritises:

●    Efficient Land Use: High-density, mixed-use spaces to optimise urban sprawl.
●    Integrated Mobility: Enhanced public transport and pedestrian-friendly networks to reduce traffic emissions.
●    Green Infrastructure: Urban forestry, rainwater harvesting, and waste management to improve environmental health.
●    Participatory Governance: Engaged communities shaping their urban future.
What makes this transformation crucial is not just the urgency to address ecological concerns but also the need to create cities where people thrive.

Redefining What It Means to Be a Smart City
In the race for creating "smart cities," simply integrating digital infrastructure or IoT isn’t enough. True smartness lies in embedding sustainability into the fabric of urban ecosystems.
Key components of sustainable smart cities include:

●    Mixed-use developments that reduce the need for prolonged commutes, curbing carbon footprints.
●    Nature-based solutions like urban forestry and community parks to combat rising heat emissions.
●    Decentralised utilities for managing water and waste at source levels.
●    Green mobility with dedicated cycle tracks, walkways, and electric public transport systems.

Success stories from the Indian Smart Cities Mission—such as Pune, Indore, and Surat—illustrate how urban planning built on egalitarian and sustainable principles can deliver measurable impact.

Building Green for Vertical Living
In space-constrained urban centres, high-rises are becoming the new standard. While vertical development addresses housing shortages, it can strain resources without green building practices. In this regard, the likes of IGBC are entering with a vision for sustainable real estate in India with a whopping 10 billion square feet of certified green space under its belt. Green buildings are designed for energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management, and therefore they are not mickey-mouse trends but serious issues in climate-risk mitigation. Set by good example, India's green architecture has crowned the country in the top three amongst the world's leaders in sustainable construction.

India's Green Transition
While the vision for greener cities is ambitious, roadblocks persist:
1.    Limited Policy Enforcement: lack of incentivization for green building norms hinder widespread adoption.
2.    Funding Gaps: Developing sustainable infrastructure often requires significant capital, which remains inaccessible for many Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
3.    Public Awareness: Lack of education among citizens about eco-conscious lifestyles dilutes the effectiveness of green initiatives.
Policy and Market-Driven Solutions
To tackle these challenges, coordinated efforts are essential:
1.    Mandate green building codes in city planning bylaws and incentivise their implementation.
2.    Encourage retrofitting of older buildings with energy-efficient technologies through tax benefits or subsidies.
3.    Integrate urban farming and horticulture within master plans to promote self-sustenance and curb urban heat islands.
4.    Foster carbon-neutral townships that synchronise waste, water, and energy systems while utilising renewable sources.
5.    Improve air quality standards for construction and operation of new developments.

Sustainability as a Legacy
Sustainability has never been an afterthought—it has been central to the way urban development has evolved. Years ago, forward-thinking townships set a new standard by introducing:
● Tree-lined avenues and large green spaces that act as natural carbon sinks.
● Water recycling systems and mixed-use layouts to promote walkable, self-contained communities.
● Adoption of renewable energy, such as solar power, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The commitment to sustainable urban living—transforming residential areas into thriving green ecosystems—continues across emerging townships in cities like Thane, Panvel, and Chennai.

A Call for Collective Action
India’s urban journey holds immense promise, but its true success lies in building a future that is cleaner, greener, and more equitable. This vision of sustainability must be embraced collectively—by governments, developers, planners, and everyday citizens alike.
Now is the moment to take action. Let's make sure that our urban ecosystems become smarter, greener, and wiser for future generations as India grows.

Views are personal

( The author is Chairman - Hiranandani Group and NAREDCO)