Sanjeev Sanyal: Invest more in infra, not in city master plans
SMART CITIES

Sanjeev Sanyal: Invest more in infra, not in city master plans

In the last 50 or 60 years, rigid master plans have been the way to plan India’s cities. And what has this resulted in? “The urban dysfunction,” according to Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Advisor, Government of India. Delivering the keynote address at the InfraNirbhar webinar, organised by Construction World and Swarajya magazines on March 3 on ‘Building Smart and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure’, Sanyal added, “We have a long tradition of urban design, and much of our philosophical dysfunction comes from a complete misunderstanding of that history.”

In an exclusive interaction during a webinar on Wednesday on smart and sustainable urban infrastructure, Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Advisor to the Government of India, points out why inflexible master plans are a mistaken form of urban design, and why continuously evolving urban systems are key to efficient, effective urban development.

Sanyal’s virtual conversation with Pratap Padode, Editor-in-Chief, Construction World and Founder, Smart Cities Council India, circled around the shortcomings of a rigid master plan approach towards city development versus an adaptive system. Sanyal explains that some of the surviving Indian cities are better built and managed than some that history recognises as the best-planned but could not survive. Urban management is key, Sanyal reiterates.

To access the full interview, click here.

In the last 50 or 60 years, rigid master plans have been the way to plan India’s cities. And what has this resulted in? “The urban dysfunction,” according to Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Advisor, Government of India. Delivering the keynote address at the InfraNirbhar webinar, organised by Construction World and Swarajya magazines on March 3 on ‘Building Smart and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure’, Sanyal added, “We have a long tradition of urban design, and much of our philosophical dysfunction comes from a complete misunderstanding of that history.” In an exclusive interaction during a webinar on Wednesday on smart and sustainable urban infrastructure, Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Advisor to the Government of India, points out why inflexible master plans are a mistaken form of urban design, and why continuously evolving urban systems are key to efficient, effective urban development. Sanyal’s virtual conversation with Pratap Padode, Editor-in-Chief, Construction World and Founder, Smart Cities Council India, circled around the shortcomings of a rigid master plan approach towards city development versus an adaptive system. Sanyal explains that some of the surviving Indian cities are better built and managed than some that history recognises as the best-planned but could not survive. Urban management is key, Sanyal reiterates. To access the full interview, click here.

Next Story
Real Estate

MAN Industries Monetises Navi Mumbai Land for TRs 7.20 Bn

In a strategic move to unlock value from its non-core assets, Merino Shelters Pvt Ltd (MSPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of MAN Industries (India), has entered into a development agreement with Paradise Green-Spaces LLP to monetize a prime land parcel in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, valued at approximately Rs 7.20 to 7.70 billion.The transaction, finalized on March 31, 2025, grants development rights for a approximately 6-acre plot located directly opposite the D.Y. Patil Stadium, one of Navi Mumbai’s most prominent landmarks. The location also benefits from its proximity to the upcoming Navi Mumbai I..

Next Story
Real Estate

Maharashtra Ups Stamp Duty Rates for FY 2025–26

The Maharashtra government has announced an increase in Ready Reckoner Rates (RRR) for the financial year 2025-26, a move that is likely to influence property valuations, stamp duty, and registration charges across the state. The revised rates come into effect starting today, April 1, and mark the first revision since 2022–23.The State Registration and Stamps Department issued a notification late on March 31 confirming an average hike of 3.89 per cent across Maharashtra. These government-notified rates serve as the minimum property value benchmarks for tax calculations during transactions an..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Rosatom Maps Long-Term Growth for Arctic Trade Route

At the VI International Arctic Forum: ""The Arctic – the Territory of Dialogue"", Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom unveiled its long-term vision for the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) — a key transportation corridor linking Europe and Asia through the Arctic.During a session on the “Long-Term Development Model for the NSR,” Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, emphasized the importance of forward-looking planning to handle rising cargo demands. He highlighted that the NSR saw a record 38 million tons of cargo in 2024, and projections suggest future tr..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?