India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision needs climate-resilient housing, says National

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Speaking at a Kochi lecture, V. Suresh highlighted climate-resilient construction, Kerala’s housing challenges and rising urban housing demand across India

By BL Kochi Bureau

Updated - October 17, 2026 at 02:30 AM.

V. Suresh, Chairman of the National Building Code of India, calls for climate-resilient and sustainable habitats to support India’s development goals.

India’s vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 must be backed by resilient, sustainable habitats that can withstand climate change and other emerging challenges, said V. Suresh, Chairman of the National Building Code of India.

Focus on climate-resilient habitats

Speaking at the 35th edition of the Beyond Square Feet lecture series organised by Asset Homes in Kochi in connection with World Habitat Day, Suresh said the focus should go beyond providing housing to creating safe, sustainable and inclusive habitats that improve people’s quality of life.

He stressed the need to strengthen building standards and construction practices so buildings and urban settlements can withstand natural disasters, extreme weather events, and other climate-related risks.

“Building resilience is no longer an option. It is an essential component of sustainable development,” he said, adding that climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable urbanisation must be central to India’s development journey towards 2047.

He also highlighted the importance of adopting appropriate technologies, materials and planning practices to integrate sustainability and resilience into building design and construction.

Despite ranking high on several development indicators, Kerala has twice the national average of people from lower-income groups living in dilapidated houses, he pointed out.

Urban housing demand set to rise

Urbanisation remains a major challenge for India’s housing sector. The country’s urban population, which stood at 28 crore in 2001, is projected to reach 60 crore by 2030. While one crore additional housing units were required in 2022, the demand is expected to rise to 2.5 crore by 2050.

Sunil Kumar V, Managing Director of Asset Homes, said Kerala’s housing scenario was complex. In many parts of Central Travancore, there were houses everywhere, but few were occupied. “We have already built compound walls stretching nearly 5,000 kilometres,” he said, highlighting the other side of the issue.

Asset Homes’ lecture series

For the past 12 years, Asset Homes has organised its Beyond Square Feet lecture series three times a year, coinciding with World Environment Day, World Habitat Day, and World Water Day.

Published on October 16, 2026

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