India’s Cities Need Smarter Planning as NICMAR Conference Focuses on Sustainable Urban Growth
Pune, August 25, 2026: As Indian cities expand rapidly and infrastructure projects become increasingly complex, experts at NICMAR University, Pune highlighted the need for better urban planning, stronger institutions and more effective project execution at the 10th International Conference on Construction, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Project Management (ICCRIP 2026).
The two-day conference was held on August 21 and 22 at NICMAR University’s Baner campus in Pune, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, academicians, project professionals and policymakers to discuss the challenges shaping India's built environment.
Why Sustainable Urban Development Is Becoming Critical
The first day of ICCRIP 2026 focused on sustainable urban development, institutional capacity and project delivery.
Experts discussed how India's growing cities need development strategies that go beyond building roads, housing and infrastructure. Better coordination between planning, construction, government agencies and industry will be important to ensure that urban projects deliver long-term value.
NICMAR University Pune President and Chief Patron of ICCRIP 2026, Dr Vijay Gupchup, said the rapid expansion of Indian cities and infrastructure requires new approaches to planning, construction and project delivery.
Policy Is Not Enough Without Ground-Level Execution
One of the key discussions at the conference focused on the gap between urban policies and their implementation.
Industry and academic experts examined how stronger professional capabilities, institutional capacity and coordination among stakeholders can help turn policy decisions into successful projects.
For cities dealing with growing populations, housing demand and infrastructure pressure, effective execution could become as important as policy formulation.
Real Estate and Infrastructure Need Skilled Professionals
The conference also highlighted the changing skill requirements in construction, real estate and infrastructure.
Speakers stressed the importance of:
- Multidisciplinary project skills
- Sustainability throughout the project lifecycle
- Better industry-academia collaboration
- Stronger project management capabilities
- Practical knowledge for complex urban projects
These areas could directly influence how efficiently future housing and infrastructure projects are planned and delivered.
Experts and Industry Leaders Participate in ICCRIP 2026
The inaugural session was attended by Jayanta Basu, Managing Director of Cemindia Projects Limited, as Chief Guest and Don Ward, Chief Executive of CIB, UK, as Guest of Honour.
NICMAR University Vice Chancellor Dr Anil L Agarwal, Dean-R&D and Conference Convener Dr Rajni Kant Rajhans, Director General and Conference Mentor Dr Tapash Kumar Ganguli, along with industry representatives, faculty members, researchers and students, also participated.
Research Meets Real-World Urban Development
ICCRIP 2026 included several formats aimed at connecting research with practical applications.
The conference featured:
- Research papers
- Case studies
- Practitioners' perspectives
- Doctoral colloquium
- Hackathon
- Paper development workshop
- Editors' conclave
- Industry showcase
The second day continued with technical sessions and expert discussions focused on emerging priorities across construction, real estate, infrastructure and project management.
What It Means for Homebuyers and Property Investors
The discussions may appear focused on industry professionals, but their impact can eventually reach homebuyers, property owners and real estate investors.
Better project planning and stronger execution can mean fewer delays, improved infrastructure delivery and more sustainable urban neighbourhoods. For property buyers, these factors increasingly matter when evaluating not just a home, but the future quality and connectivity of the surrounding area.
Grihik Property Takeaway
India's real estate growth is moving beyond individual housing projects. The bigger question is whether cities can develop housing, transport, infrastructure and public services together.
For homebuyers and investors, this makes the development plans and infrastructure pipeline around a property increasingly important. A project in a well-planned growth corridor could offer advantages that are difficult to judge from the property itself.