Government, industry and urban planners unite to propell green buildings, sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon development
As India fast-tracks toward Net Zero, Gujarat has emerged as the primary workroom for climate-resilient urbanism. The 11th GRIHA Regional Conclave, held recently at The Leela Gandhinagar, served as a high-level convergence of policymakers, urban planners, and industry leaders, all echoing a singular mandate: sustainable infrastructure is no longer an option, but the foundation of India’s economic future.
Under the “Innovate to Act for a Climate Resilient World” theme, the conclave positioned Gujarat at the forefront of the green building revolution, moving beyond theoretical frameworks to measurable, large-scale implementation.
Gujarat’s Green Mandate: From Talukas to Mega-Cities
The most significant policy shift highlighted during the event was the Gujarat government’s aggressive stance on public infrastructure. J A Gandhi, in his keynote address, revealed a landmark mandate: all non-residential buildings at the district and taluka levels approved via the Roads and Buildings Department must now be developed as green buildings.
This top-down approach is expected to catalyse a massive shift in the regional supply chain for sustainable materials and low-carbon construction technologies.
GIFT City and Dholera: The Blueprints for Future India
The conclave put a spotlight on Gujarat’s “Crown Jewel” projects—GIFT City, Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Experts debated how these mega-projects are transcending traditional urban planning by integrating:
- Climate-responsive design to mitigate urban heat islands.
- Low-carbon public infrastructure to minimize the carbon footprint of industrial growth.
- Smart water and waste management systems that ensure long-term resource security.
With Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar eyeing the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the discussion also pivoted toward sports infrastructure.
Participants stressed that future stadiums and athlete villages must adhere to globally benchmarked green standards, ensuring they serve as inclusive, low-carbon community assets long after the games conclude.
Carbon Credits and Real Estate: Two Strategic MoUs Signed
A pivotal moment for the Indian construction sector occurred with the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) by the GRIHA Council:
- Carbon Accounting Integration: An agreement with Carbon Registry India (by NCCF) will bring carbon credit mechanisms into the built environment. As India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) matures, this partnership will help developers monetize emissions reductions from the design stage.
- Mainstreaming Green Housing: A partnership with CREDAI Ahmedabad GIHED aims to scale green-certified real estate across Gujarat. Rajesh Vaswani noted that this collaboration aims to make Ahmedabad a national benchmark for sustainable urban living.
Localizing Knowledge: The “Gujarati” Push for Sustainability
Recognizing that sustainability must be understood at the grassroots level, the organizers launched three technical publications in the Gujarati language. These manuals cover:
- Sustainable design implementation.
- Green construction management.
- Eco-friendly operation and maintenance.
Sanjay Seth, representing GRIHA, noted that Gujarat’s unique ability to balance entrepreneurial drive with environmental responsibility makes it a leader in “resilient community” building. Architect Tarak Jani further emphasized that the state’s professionals are already ahead of the curve in translating “green ideas” into “mainstream reality.”
The Road to the 18th GRIHA Summit
The Gandhinagar conclave concluded with a felicitation of 4-star and 5-star GRIHA-rated projects, showcasing the tangible success of the green movement in the state.
This regional dialogue serves as a precursor to the 18th GRIHA Summit, scheduled for November 3-4, 2026, in New Delhi, where Gujarat’s “Action First” model is expected to be a central case study for the rest of the nation.