The 74th National Town and Country Planners Conference (NTCP) will be organised from February 6 to 8, 2026, at Karnavati Club, S. G. Road, Ahmedabad, bringing together planners, urban designers, policymakers, academicians, and professionals from across India. The conference is being convened by the Institute of Town Planners India (ITPI) with support from the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, Government of Gujarat.
Theme: Proactive Regional Planning & Development to Usher Viksit Bharat
The central theme of the 74th NTCP focuses on forward-looking and integrated regional planning as a critical instrument to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047. With India’s urban population projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2031, the conference will deliberate on planning frameworks capable of addressing rapid urbanisation while ensuring balanced regional growth, equity, and climate resilience.
Why Ahmedabad and Gujarat?
Hosting the conference in Ahmedabad provides a strong contextual foundation. Gujarat has emerged as a national leader in regional planning, infrastructure development, and governance innovation, with landmark initiatives such as Dholera Special Investment Region, GIFT City, metropolitan regional plans, and transit-led urban development. The state’s century-long experience with Town Planning Schemes (TPS) offers valuable lessons for India’s evolving urban and peri-urban landscapes.
Key Sub-Themes of the Conference
The technical programme of the 74th NTCP is structured around the following major sub-themes:
- Metro City Regional Planning for Spatio-Economic Development
Addressing governance reforms, infrastructure financing, and polycentric regional growth models for India’s expanding metropolitan regions. - Planning and Development Approaches for Rapid Transit Corridors
Focus on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), multimodal integration, land value capture mechanisms, and digital mobility tools. - Inclusive Infrastructure Planning for Global Events
Exploring universal design, temporary and modular infrastructure, community engagement, and sustainable legacy planning for mega events. - AI Applications for Sustainable Planning and Management
Examining the role of artificial intelligence, GIS, satellite data, and urban analytics in predictive planning, governance automation, and resource optimisation.
Local Theme: Lessons from 100 Years of Town Planning Schemes in Gujarat
A special local theme will reflect on a century of town planning practice in Gujarat, from the Bombay Town Planning Act (1915) to contemporary TPS implementation. Discussions will cover land pooling mechanisms, equity and participation, legal frameworks, and innovations for climate-resilient and inclusive urban development.
Call for Papers
ITPI has invited technical papers (up to 3,000 words) on the main theme and sub-themes.
- Submission deadline: January 15, 2026 (17:00 hrs)
- Notification of selected papers: January 20, 2026
- Submission portal: itpi.org.in/74ntcp
Selected papers will be presented during the conference technical sessions and contribute to national planning discourse.
Programme Highlights
- February 6, 2026: Inauguration, Plenary Session, Technical Sessions (Sub-Themes I & II), Exhibition opening
- February 7, 2026: Technical Sessions (Sub-Themes III & IV), Local Theme, Valedictory Session, Awards
- February 8, 2026: Field visits to Rani-ki-Vav, Patan and Gandhi Ashram, Sabarmati
An exhibition on the conference theme will run concurrently at the venue, showcasing planning initiatives, research, and institutional innovations.
Registration and Participation
The conference offers physical and online participation options with special concessions for ITPI members. Registration is open through the ITPI website, and participation is expected from planning authorities, academic institutions, consultants, and students nationwide.
Why this conference matters:
At a time when India is redefining its urban and regional future, the 74th NTCP positions planning as a strategic driver of economic competitiveness, social inclusion, and environmental resilience—making it a landmark event for professionals shaping India’s cities and regions.
I have registered for the physical participation in the 74th NTPC conference. I wish to know the details of the conference venue, date and timing of various events during the conference to enable me to attend. Shashikant Anant Kalgaonkar, FITP/1973/014