As India’s urban footprint expands, concerns around shrinking open spaces, rising temperatures and environmental resilience are moving to the centre of urban planning discussions. With private real estate driving a significant share of new development, sustainability is increasingly becoming a key consideration for both policymakers and developers.

The debate has gained urgency as cities grapple with the twin challenge of accommodating growing populations while preserving environmental quality. Experts say the focus is gradually shifting from merely creating housing stock to building more liveable and climate-resilient urban communities, according to a report by Business World.

The Centre’s URDPFI Guidelines recommend 10-12 sq m of open space per person in urban areas. However, a 2024 CEPT University assessment found Ahmedabad has only 0.5 sq m of open space per capita, highlighting the widening gap between planning norms and ground realities.

According to Deben Moza, International Partner, Senior Executive Director and Head of Project Management Services, India & Asia Pacific, Knight Frank, the challenge stems largely from land constraints and planning limitations in densely populated cities. He said private developments can play an important role in complementing public infrastructure and creating more liveable urban environments.

Moza noted that larger developments and integrated townships are increasingly allocating space for landscaped areas, pedestrian networks and community infrastructure as homebuyers place greater emphasis on quality of life. However, he stressed that project-level open spaces must be supported by a broader ecosystem of parks, green corridors and public infrastructure.

Green Spaces As Urban Infrastructure
India’s urban population is projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2030, according to government estimates, placing increasing pressure on public spaces and urban ecosystems. The challenge for cities is no longer limited to creating green areas, but ensuring they remain connected, accessible and environmentally functional.

Criticism around green spaces being treated as marketing features reflects “gaps from earlier phases of real estate development”, said Anantharam V Varyur, Co-Founder, Manasum Senior Living. He noted that the industry is increasingly moving towards functional ecological infrastructure, with greater focus on soil health, water permeability, canopy continuity and long-term maintenance.

According to Varyur, the broader shift is towards creating “integrated and connected green systems rather than fragmented pockets” of landscaping. He added that growing stakeholder scrutiny is encouraging a more performance-driven approach to how open spaces are planned and sustained over time.

The Push For Measurable Sustainability
As cities face rising climate risks, the conversation around sustainability is gradually moving beyond project approvals and green certifications. Under AMRUT 2.0, projects worth over Rs 1.89 lakh crore have been approved, but the focus is increasingly shifting towards how these interventions perform and deliver environmental outcomes over the long term.

“There is a strong need for structured post-completion sustainability assessments,” said Pawal Agarwal, Managing Director, NK Realtors. He noted that sustainability commitments should be measured not only at the planning and approval stage but also through continuous monitoring to understand their long-term environmental impact.

According to Agarwal, parameters such as “groundwater replenishment”, “green-cover retention”, “stormwater management” and “open-space preservation” should become key indicators of urban resilience. He added that formal assessment frameworks can improve transparency, build stakeholder trust and help ensure sustainability commitments translate into measurable outcomes. 

The Rising Cost Of Urban Heat
A 2024 study published in Urban Sustainability found that Urban Heat Island intensity across Indian cities ranges between 2°C and 10°C, with dense construction and declining vegetation identified among the key drivers. The trend is placing growing pressure on energy use, outdoor activity and thermal comfort across urban areas.

For the real estate sector, urban heat is no longer just an environmental concern. Moza said higher temperatures are increasingly affecting energy consumption, outdoor usability and occupant comfort, while also influencing how homebuyers perceive the quality and liveability of urban environments.

Moza noted that developers are responding through greater use of native landscaping, improved tree cover, shaded circulation areas, enhanced natural ventilation and materials that reduce heat absorption. He added that growing awareness around health, comfort and environmental quality is encouraging greater focus on climate-responsive design.

Future-Proofing Urban Growth
With India’s urban population projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2030, cities are expected to face growing pressure on land, infrastructure and environmental resources. The challenge increasingly lies in ensuring that future urban growth remains both resilient and sustainable.

“Urban heat is increasingly shaping how real estate projects are designed and evaluated,” said Varyur. He noted that developers are gradually moving towards climate-responsive planning, with greater emphasis on shade, ventilation, surface reflectivity and green integration. According to Varyur, the shift is from “density-led planning towards comfort-led and climate-aware development”.

Agarwal said rising urban densities make it increasingly important to incorporate accountability into urban development, arguing that stronger assessment frameworks can encourage responsible development practices while supporting a more future-oriented approach to urban planning.