Ahmedabad, Feb 5 (NationPress) The city of Ahmedabad is set to welcome the National Town and Country Planners Conference from February 6 to 8, marking its return after a 13-year hiatus. This gathering comes at a pivotal moment as urbanization challenges and regional development issues take the spotlight throughout India.

Over 500 professionals including town planners, policymakers, academics, and urban development specialists from various parts of the country are anticipated to join this three-day event, focusing on the future of regional planning.

Organized by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) with backing from the Gujarat government's Urban Development Department, the conference will revolve around the theme “Proactive Regional Planning and Development to Usher Viksit Bharat”.

Key discussions will explore innovative methods for regional and metropolitan planning, emphasizing the impact of high-speed rail projects such as the bullet train, alongside the integration of artificial intelligence and GIS-based modelling tools in planning processes.

K Srinivas, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, will grace the inaugural session as the chief guest, while Ahmedabad's Mayor Pratibha Jain and former Municipal Commissioner Keshav Verma will serve as guests of honour.

This event is particularly significant as India’s urban population is projected to soar to around 600 million by 2031, representing nearly 40 percent of the nation’s total populace.

With expectations that 68 cities will surpass one million residents, the necessity for coordinated and progressive regional planning to manage urban growth sustainably becomes increasingly urgent.

ITPI President Pradeep Kapoor stated that the conference would act as a national forum for dialogue on planning strategies aligned with long-term development objectives.

“As India strives for Viksit Bharat by 2047, proactive regional planning is crucial to tackle the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and infrastructural expansion,” he remarked, noting that the event would facilitate the sharing of ideas and successful planning models from across the nation.

NK Patel, Patron and Past President of ITPI, highlighted that discussions will particularly focus on spatial planning for balanced growth, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the development of economic corridors and industrial hubs, along with institutional frameworks for effective regional governance.

These frameworks encompass Metropolitan Planning Committees, Regional Plan Authorities, and interstate coordination mechanisms for river basins and economic regions.

R J Rawal, Chairman of the Gujarat Regional Chapter of ITPI, provided insights into the institute and the national conference. Sub-themes include inclusive infrastructure planning for prominent events like the upcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled for Ahmedabad in 2030, the role of artificial intelligence in planning, and a retrospective on a century of town planning efforts in Gujarat.

The metropolitan region of Ahmedabad will be examined as a case study, with discussions covering significant topics such as the Dholera Special Investment Region, GIFT City, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, metro rail connectivity, and the Gujarat government’s newly introduced satellite towns policy, alongside prospects for integrated regional development.

ITPI boasts a presence in 26 states with over 10,000 town planners as members. Adani Cement is recognized as the conference’s preferred brand partner.