Prioritise people in urban planning, experts say

People should be the priority in urban development planning, according to panellists at a session titled “Building Economic Cities, not Just Real Estate: The Future of Integrated Urban Development,” held in Chennai on Thursday (July 30, 2026).

At a discussion moderated by Prince Frederick, Civic Affairs Editor of The Hindu, at The Hindu Real Estate and Urban Infrastructure Summit, Jothilakshmy Nagammal, Principal, Saveetha College of Architecture and Design, said people should be the focus of all development concepts and models, including pedestrian-friendly initiatives, 15-minute cities, workable areas, and transport-oriented development.

She added that blanket development control rules are ineffective because every street and area possesses unique features. “When we talk of a street, it is a conduit of social life [of that area],” she said.

Public participation

Pavithra, co-founder of Design Co Lab, said the public had much to contribute to the development of their neighbourhood and should be consulted on local initiatives. 

She said infrastructure, such as footpaths, should not be viewed merely as brick and mortar. Every footpath has a distinct character determined by its location, and pedestrian safety is intrinsically linked to the surrounding environment and infrastructure, she added.

Collaborative effort

Arun Bharathi, managing director of GTB Urban Developers, spoke about integrated townships. He said land availability remains a hurdle in Chennai, noting that the scale of a developer’s operation often dictates what a project offers; if a development is limited to one or two acres, it cannot accommodate many supporting facilities.

Development of an area is usually a top-down process, driven by the vision of a developer and backed by the government. He suggested that local residents and the public could participate to improve these projects. Developers and the government should work together to ensure the holistic development of an area, he added.

B.L. Ravi Kumar, general manager – network – 1, State Bank of India, spoke on the multiple funding options available for developers and builders.

The Real Estate and Infrastructure Summit 2026 is presented by Casagrand in association with Adissia Developers. The event is supported by associate partners: Navin’s and Mindspace REIT; banking partner: State Bank of India; insurance partner: United India Insurance; academic partner: Saveetha College of Architecture and Design; industry partner: CREDAI Chennai; television partner: Puthiya Thalaimurai; and digital news partner: The Federal.