The 17th National Convention of NAREDCO, the apex body of the real estate sector working under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, opened in New Delhi today. The theme of this year’s convention is “India Builds: Reimagining Growth through Real Estate and Infrastructure.”

The two-day event, being held on 29–30 August, 2025, brings together Union ministers, state ministers, senior government officials, policymakers, and leading real estate developers from across the country.

Esteemed dignitaries addressing the convention include:

• Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India

• Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India

• Tokhan Sahu, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India

• Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India

• Meghana Sakore Bordikar, Hon’ble Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra

Key Knowledge Reports to be Released:

• Bridging the Shortfall: Supply-Side Interventions for Affordable Housing in Urban India (Knight Frank)

• RERA’s Reign: Charting Real Estate Growth Post-2016 (Knight Frank)

• Beyond the Runway: Scope of Non-Aero Revenue and Aerocities in India (Knight Frank)

Several panel discussions during the two-day convention are planned.

The panel discussion on “Strategies for redevelopment of central business districts in old cities” will focus on reimagining aging urban cores to meet modern needs while preserving their heritage. The discussion will explore mixed-use zoning to blend commercial, residential, and recreational spaces; transit-oriented development for seamless connectivity; and smart infrastructure upgrades across utilities with minimal disruption.

It will also highlight the role of PPP models in driving redevelopment and the adoption of green buildings and energy-efficient retrofits. Together, these strategies aim to create vibrant, sustainable, and future-ready CBDs.

Another panel discussion on “Ease of living and ease of travel – urban mobility and quality of life” will examine how real estate development must align with liveability metrics to remain relevant and valuable.

With over 3% of India’s GDP dedicated to infrastructure in the past decade, the focus on urban mobility and inclusivity has never been stronger. As metropolitan cities expand and existing networks come under pressure, the session will explore inclusive housing models, ecosystems, and new growth opportunities like Mumbai’s Atal Setu and Meerut’s RRTS.

It will also highlight the integration of transit-oriented development, smart mobility, green infrastructure, and climate resilience into masterplans. The key takeaway: in an era of urban aspiration, quality of life is the ultimate differentiator for real estate.

The panel discussion on “Affordable housing for all: Enabling urban growth through innovation, finance, and policy” will focus on affordable housing, which is central to India’s urban transformation and socio-economic inclusion.

As cities expand, the need for well-planned, financially viable, and scalable housing solutions becomes urgent. This session brings together stakeholders across planning, finance, and policy to address the dual challenges of supply-side delivery and financial accessibility for economically weaker and middle-income segments. By integrating regulatory reform, public-private partnerships, and innovative funding mechanisms, the session will highlight pathways to achieve ‘Housing for All’ with quality, speed, and equity.

There will also be a panel discussion on “Strengthening real estate governance: RERA’s next chapter”, which will dive into how RERA has reshaped buyer-developer relations by boosting consumer confidence and accountability in the sector. The conversation will address the real-world challenges of compliance and state-level execution, while showcasing the next wave of digital innovations—real-time tracking systems, smart dashboards, and mobile-friendly interfaces.

Looking ahead, the panel will also explore bold policy reforms needed to keep pace with an evolving market. The key message: only through continuous innovation and digital integration can RERA remain future-ready and truly impactful.