CREDAI has called for an “infrastructure-first” approach to urban development, saying roads, drainage, transport and civic systems should precede large-scale real estate projects. At NATCON 2026, the industry body also highlighted redevelopment and emerging city opportunities, while projecting India’s real estate market to reach $1 trillion by 2030.
India’s real estate industry needs to rethink how new urban areas are planned, with infrastructure coming before large-scale residential and commercial development, according to the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI).
Speaking at its 24th National Convention, NATCON 2026, in Kolkata, CREDAI’s Shekhar G Patel called for an “infrastructure-first” model for urban expansion. Under this approach, roads, drainage, public transport and other civic systems would be established alongside planning before major real estate development begins.
The proposal comes as Indian cities continue to expand outward, creating new residential catchments and commercial corridors. For office developers and flexible workspace operators, the quality of surrounding infrastructure can directly influence connectivity, employee access and the viability of new business districts.
Redevelopment Becomes a Growing Urban Need
Alongside new development, CREDAI highlighted redevelopment as another major requirement for India’s established cities.
Patel said Ahmedabad alone has more than 50 redevelopment projects underway, while cities such as Chennai and Hyderabad are expected to face similar requirements as their older housing stock ages.
The Mumbai redevelopment experience was also discussed as a potential model for other cities. The sector has increasingly seen governments, developers and residents work together on redevelopment projects, reflecting the growing complexity of transforming ageing urban areas.
For commercial real estate, redevelopment can also create opportunities to modernise older districts and introduce better office buildings, mixed-use developments and supporting infrastructure within established urban locations.
Real Estate Market Heads Towards $1 Trillion
A report released by CREDAI at the convention highlighted the scale of India’s real estate expansion. The sector grew from around $120 billion in 2017 to nearly $600 billion in 2025, according to the report.
It projects the market will reach $1 trillion by 2030 and around $5.8 trillion by 2047, indicating substantial long-term opportunities across residential and commercial segments.
The growth is expected to extend beyond India’s largest metropolitan markets. NATCON 2026 discussions covered opportunities in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, as well as data centres, warehousing, hospitality, and infrastructure-led urban development.
Infrastructure Will Shape the Next Growth Phase
The convention brought together developers, investors, policymakers and industry experts to discuss technology, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, investment and workforce development.
Speakers also highlighted the need to remove development barriers, including restrictions linked to Urban Land Ceiling regulations, and called for greater participation by organised developers in major infrastructure and urban development projects.
For the office and flexible workspace sector, the infrastructure-first approach could become increasingly important as companies expand into new locations. Reliable transport, civic services, residential supply and employment ecosystems can determine whether an emerging commercial corridor develops into a sustainable business hub.
With India’s property market projected to grow rapidly over the coming decades, the challenge may not simply be creating more real estate. The bigger task will be ensuring that infrastructure, employment and urban services grow alongside it.
