In a push toward sustainable urban development, the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Green Business Centre (CII-GBC) has recommended that all new residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects allocate at least 15–20% of their area for green spaces. The recommendation forms a key highlight of the newly released report titled “Infra South: Crafting Liveable Environments in Indian Cities.”
Unveiled by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the South India Annual Convention 2025, the report sets forth a roadmap to transform cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruppur, and Salem into sustainable and livable urban centres. The initiative comes in response to mounting pressures on infra due to rapid urbanisation, climate change, and growing population density.
CII has pledged to collaborate with the Tamil Nadu government to support the implementation of the report’s recommendations, aimed at improving environmental quality, urban resilience, and public health.
Enhancing Green Infrastructure and Public Spaces
The report stresses the importance of integrating green and public open spaces into city master plans. In addition to mandatory space allocation, it calls for city-wide plantation drives, facilitated through public-private partnerships. These efforts are expected to significantly improve air quality and biodiversity while creating more livable urban environments.
Sustainable Urban Planning and Mobility
Addressing urban transport and mobility, the study recommends incorporating pedestrian-friendly infrastructure into comprehensive mobility and master plans. It also urges municipalities to raise awareness around cycling as a means to enhance public health and reduce congestion.
Energy and Water Management Recommendations
In terms of utilities, the report calls for accelerated implementation of smart electricity meters, especially for high-energy consumers. It also suggests assessing the adequacy of street lighting, particularly in suburban regions.
For water management, it advocates for groundwater monitoring every three years via hydrological studies and encourages widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting systems.
Also read: India’s Renewable Goals Are Bold, Says Climate Group CEO
Clean Air, Wastewater, and Resilience Measures
To improve air quality, the report supports the reuse of treated wastewater in industrial applications and recommends wastewater treatment plants in residential societies with more than 100 units. It further calls for separation of stormwater drains from sewage systems and increasing the number of ambient air quality monitoring stations as per CPCB norms.
According to the report, these reforms, if effectively implemented, could lead to substantial gains in environmental health, urban resilience, and the overall quality of life in Tamil Nadu’s key cities.
