CREDAI Calls for Land Reforms and 100 ‘Cities of Tomorrow’ to Drive India’s Real Estate Growth

At the recently concluded NATCON 2025 in Singapore, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (CREDAI) unveiled a bold vision for India’s real estate sector. The association strongly emphasized the need for comprehensive land reforms, digitalisation, skill development, and sustainable growth to ensure the sector plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s future.

One of the key recommendations from CREDAI was the urgent need for conclusive land titling through a Land Titling Act. This, coupled with the creation of a unified national digital land register, would bring greater transparency, accessibility, and efficiency to the system. CREDAI also called for the establishment of land banks, which it believes can make affordable housing a reality and accelerate India’s goal of “Housing for All.”

Highlighting its long-term roadmap under the National Real Estate Development Framework – Vision 2047, CREDAI set ambitious targets, including the development of 100 ‘cities of tomorrow’. These future-ready cities would focus on sustainable urban expansion, purpose-based zoning, affordable housing, student and senior living, and comprehensive slum redevelopment.

Green growth was placed at the centre of the vision. CREDAI urged greater adoption of net-zero buildings, green townships, and technology-driven innovations in construction. It also highlighted the need for robust workforce upskilling programs and better utilization of labour cess to directly benefit on-site workers.

The association also raised concerns about the heavy tax burden on housing, which currently stands at nearly 35%–39%. CREDAI argued that treating housing at par with petroleum and alcohol is counterproductive, especially when affordable housing remains a national priority.

Calling real estate a 15% contributor to India’s GDP, CREDAI President Shekhar Patel said the sector not only builds homes but also creates communities, livelihoods, and aspirations. With a clear focus on reforms, sustainability, and digitalisation, CREDAI’s vision aims to make Indian real estate globally competitive and future-ready by 2047.