'Green City – Green Building': Navi Mumbai Hosts Workshop To Promote Eco-Friendly Urban Development

In a move to boost sustainable urban development, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) conducted a special workshop titled “Green City – Green Building” at its headquarters, aimed at promoting the Green Building concept and encouraging eco-conscious infrastructure planning.

Held under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, the one-day workshop was coordinated through the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and led by City Engineer Shirish Aradwad. The event brought together a range of stakeholders, including senior civic officials, architects, engineers, and construction professionals.

“Creating environmentally sustainable infrastructure is not just a priority, it’s a necessity,” said Deputy Commissioner Sharad Pawar, emphasizing the need to incorporate environmental considerations into development. “We must remember that while we use natural resources today, we also have a responsibility to preserve them for the generations to come,” he added.

IGBC representatives presented their comprehensive rating systems, which assess opportunities to improve sustainability in urban areas. The system evaluates parameters such as environmental conservation, land-use planning, transportation, citizen welfare, and infrastructure innovation.

Assistant Director of Town Planning, Somnath Kekan highlighted that the core of the Green Building approach lies in minimizing environmental impact from the very beginning of a project. “It’s not just about the structure—it’s about ensuring the long-term health and well-being of its occupants,” he said. He proposed that every new school built by NMMC follow the Green Building model to instill eco-awareness in students from an early age.

Additional City Engineer Arvind Shinde recalled that the NMMC headquarters was once the largest Green Building in India when the concept first took root. “We’re proud to have led by example. Today, we continue to give priority to Green Building principles in all new municipal constructions,” he said, encouraging developers to adopt sustainable practices as part of their civic duty.

Renowned architect and IGBC Navi Mumbai Chairperson Hiten Sethi, who designed the NMMC headquarters, underscored the importance of fostering a culture of sustainability. “Through IGBC, India has emerged as a leader in green urban development. Navi Mumbai has the potential to contribute significantly to this mission,” he noted.

IGBC experts including Gargi Das, Asfiya Taimur, Raja Reddy, and Vikram Singha led informative sessions on various aspects of Green Building implementation. On the occasion, IGBC officials also presented a special handbook on Green Building practices to Commissioner Dr. Shinde.

The workshop concluded with a call to action to incorporate green principles in every aspect of urban planning. Executive Engineer Rajesh Pawar was also present at the event, which marked a concrete step toward transforming Navi Mumbai into a model sustainable city.