Ahmedabad Emerges as National Hub for Urban Planning Dialogue with ITPI Conference
- Bilkul Online
- Ahmedabad | 05 Feb 2026
After a gap of 13 years, Ahmedabad is set to host the prestigious National Town & Country Planners Conference from February 6 to 8, bringing the city back into the national spotlight of urban and regional planning discourse. The three-day conference is being organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) with support from the Urban Development Department, Government of Gujarat.
Over 500 town planners, policymakers, academicians, and urban development experts from across the country are expected to participate, making it one of the largest national gatherings of planning professionals in recent years.
Theme Focused on Viksit Bharat and Proactive Regional Planning
- The conference will revolve around the theme “Proactive Regional Planning and Development to Usher Viksit Bharat”, aligning urban planning strategies with India’s long-term vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
- Discussions will focus on forward-looking approaches to manage rapid urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, and regional disparities, while integrating emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Geographic Information System (GIS) models into planning practices.
Eminent Dignitaries to Grace the Inaugural Session
- The inaugural ceremony will be attended by senior government officials and city leadership. K Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, will be the Chief Guest.
- Pratibha Jain, Mayor of Ahmedabad, and former Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Keshav Verma will attend as Guests of Honour.
Addressing India’s Growing Urban Challenges
- The conference comes at a critical time for India’s urban and regional development. With India’s urban population projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2031, accounting for almost 40% of the total population, and 68 cities expected to cross the 10-lakh population mark, the need for balanced and proactive regional planning has become increasingly urgent.
- The deliberations will explore policy frameworks, governance models, and implementation strategies aimed at managing urban growth while ensuring equitable development across regions.
ITPI Leadership Highlights Importance of the Conference
- Speaking about the significance of the event, Pradeep Kapoor, President of ITPI, said that proactive regional planning is essential as India moves towards the goal of Viksit Bharat.
- “This conference will provide a national platform to exchange ideas, learn from successful models, and evolve strategies that ensure inclusive and balanced development across various regions,” he said.
Focus on Climate Resilience and Regional Governance
- NK Patel, Patron and Past President of ITPI, said the conference will place special emphasis on:
- Spatial planning for balanced regional growth
- Climate-resilient infrastructure
- Development of economic corridors and industrial clusters
- Urban–rural continuum management
- Strengthening institutional mechanisms such as Metropolitan Planning Committees, Regional Plan Authorities, and inter-state coordination frameworks for river basins and economic regions
Gujarat and Ahmedabad as a Living Case Study
- Ahmedabad’s metropolitan region will serve as a living case study during the conference. Key discussions will cover major regional development initiatives such as:
- Dholera Special Investment Region
- GIFT City
- Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
- Metro Rail connectivity projects
- Industrial and automobile hubs in Sanand and Becharaji
- The newly announced satellite town policy of the Government of Gujarat
Sub-Themes and Special Focus Areas
- The conference will feature multiple sub-themes, including:
- Inclusive infrastructure planning for global sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games proposed to be held in Ahmedabad in 2030
- Applications of AI in urban and regional planning
- 100 years of Town Planning Schemes in Gujarat, highlighting the state’s legacy and evolution in planning practices
Strengthening Economic Corridors and Urban–Rural Linkages
- Key deliberations will also examine how planning frameworks can support national economic corridors such as the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, strengthen urban–rural linkages through initiatives like the AMRUT 2.0 Mission, and promote climate-resilient infrastructure development.
ITPI’s National Presence and Industry Support
- ITPI has a strong presence across 26 states and represents more than 10,000 town planners, playing a key role in shaping India’s town and country planning discourse.
- Adani Cement is the preferred brand partner for the conference.