NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) hosted an international two-day Workshop on Transit Oriented Development (TOD), a pivotal event aiming to revolutionise urban planning practices. The workshop, supported by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, witnessed the global participation of esteemed speakers, panelists, and participants from around the world, including heads of various urban transport corporations across the country, to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration in creating sustainable, inclusive, and livable cities.
TOD offers compelling solutions to the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, emphasising the integration of land use and transportation to create compact, mixed-use developments centred around efficient public transit systems.
Speaking on occasion, Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, said, “I am happy that NCRTC took the initiative of organising this Workshop as a Knowledge sharing platform for TOD which is a very important aspect of Urban Development. I am confident that the collective wisdom and constructive discussions that will take place during this Workshop will inspire a transformative change in our urban planning practices and would benefit future transit projects.”
“This workshop organised by NCRTC is intended to provide a platform to share the experiences of implementing TOD policies and the challenges faced during this journey by organisations across the globe. By promoting Transit Oriented Development, we can effectively reduce urban sprawl, congestion, and pollution while enhancing accessibility, affordability, and the overall quality of life in urban spaces.,” said Shri Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director, NCRTC.
On the occasion, Shri Manoj Joshi, Shri Vinay Kumar Singh, and Mr. Takeo Konishi, Country Director, ADB, also unveiled a Knowledge Product on Transit Oriented Development produced by Team NCRTC.
In 2017, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs released the National TOD Policy and National Value Capture Financing (VCF) Policy Framework, recognising the significance of TOD adoption in the development plans of Indian cities. However, challenges still exist in the implementation of TOD policies, hindering their full potential. The workshop aims to identify and address these challenges to foster successful TOD implementation at the state and regional levels.
This workshop saw participation by leaders of several transit agencies from across the country, including Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation, Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation, Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation, and Rail Land Development Authority.
The workshop also featured an array of diverse speakers, panelists, and experts providing insights into successful TOD projects and outlining challenges specific to their projects. This included several eminent speakers from along the globe, Mr. Takeo Konishi, Country Director, ADB; Mr. Hiroaki Suzuki, Urban Finance & Development Expert, World Bank; Mr. Kano Junkichi, Director, International Business, Urban Renaissance Agency Japan; Mr. Andrew Newsome, Partner & MD- Boston Consulting Group, Australia; Mr. Richard de Cani, Global Cities, Planning & Design Leader– ARUP; Mr. Steven Segerlin, Director, Real Estate and Station Area Plg. WMATA Washington DC; Mr. Guido Bruggeman, Senior Urban Transport Expert, Netherlands, among others.
With the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridors being implemented by NCRTC, traversing four states in the National Capital Region, this international workshop provides an opportunity for state governments and development authorities to collaborate and tailor TOD policies to their unique contexts. NCRTC has been working closely with stakeholders, including state governments, development authorities, and multilateral funding agencies such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, to ensure financial sustainability through the operationalisation of TOD and Value Capture Financing Instruments.
