ITPI meet deliberates on urban planning challenges

DIPR/OSR
IMPHAL, Nov 22 : Contem-porary issues and emerging challenges in urban and regional planning across the North Eastern Region were deliberated at a North East Zonal Conference, organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI) at Hotel Classic Grande here today.
The conference focused on achieving sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development, with special emphasis on three key themes viz; Strengthening Regulatory Compliance and Sustainable Urban Development; Prioritizing Non-Motorized Transport (NMT): Walking and Cycling and Urban Resilience to Climate Extremes: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies.
RK Dinesh Singh, Principal Secretary (MAHUD) graced the conference as the chief Guest. He was joined on the dais by Tpr Pradeep Kumar, president, ITPI, New Delhi; Tpr S Devender Reddy, vice president, ITPI, New Delhi; Tpr Jitendra L Bhople, secretary general, ITPI, New Delhi; and Tpr Nepram Gitkumar Singh, Council Member, ITPI.
RK Dinesh addressed the gathering of town planners, policymakers, and experts from across the country, expressing gratitude to the organizers, the Town Planning Department, and ITPI India.
He highlighted that although Manipur is a small State, it faces major challenges, making it an ideal testing ground for policies that could later be implemented elsewhere in India.
He outlined key issues such as recurring urban floods due to the State’s river basins and valley geography, as well as rising air pollution worsened by temperature inversion and the bowl-shaped terrain of Manipur.
He noted that even moderate AQI levels can have severe impacts in such conditions.
The chief guest emphasized the need for sustain- able, resilient urban planning to address challenges in sanitation, sewerage, transport, and the growing pressure of urban migration.
He welcomed the presence of top professionals from across India, calling it a valuable opportunity for brainstorming and developing policies to make towns cleaner, more resilient, and future-ready.
He concluded by thanking all participants and expressing optimism for fruitful outcomes from the conference.
Tpr. Pradeep Kumar mentioned that this is the first-ever ITPI event being hosted in Manipur, and extended his sincere gratitude to all council members for selecting Manipur for the Northeast Zonal Conference, and for the strong support received from the planners of Manipur.
The ITPI president remarked that the themes chosen for this conference are timely and significant for the region.
Promoting non-motorized transport, especially cycling offers clear advantages as it improves public health and contributes to environmental protection.
Equally important is strengthening urban resilience to climate change, he said.
“Across both hill and plain areas, we are witnessing the impacts of changing environmental conditions like landslides, flooding, and other challenges arising from human activities and climate variability”, Pradeep Kumar said.
 He further stated that it was important to deliberate on these themes.
A book titled “Hill Area Planning”, published by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), was also released during the function by the chief guest.
Three dedicated technical sessions formed the core highlight of the event.
The first session, held on the theme “Strengthening Regulatory Compliance and Sustainable Urban Development,” was chaired by  Nongthombam Benju Singh, Chief Town Planner, Town Planning Department, Government of Manipur.
Tpr Jitendra Sarma Kakoty, Director, Department of Town & Country Planning, Government of Assam, and Dr Shubahshish Banerjee, Joint Director, Department of Town & Country Planning, Government of Madhya Pradesh, presented their technical insights during the session.
The second session, focused on “Prioritizing Non-Motorized Transport (NMT): Walking and Cycling,” was chaired by Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director MAHUD.
The session featured expert presentations by Prof Dr Sanjay Gupta, Head of Department, Transport Planning, SPA Delhi and Tpr S Devender Reddy, Director, Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Government of Telangana.
The final session, centred on “Urban Resilience to Climate Extremes: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies,” was chaired by Dr T Brajakumar Singh, Director, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur.
Tpr Rajneesh Sareen, Programme Director, Sustainable Buildings and Habitat Programme, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, and Dr Ajay Kumar, Associate Professor, Architecture, NIT Patna, shared their perspectives and research findings.