Biophilic Urbanism - Integrating Nature into India's Urban Landscapes

Ar. Gurpreet Singh Shah is a distinguished architect, urban planner, and infrastructure expert with over two decades of experience in both national and international architecture and urban design. He currently serves as the Managing Director & Principal Architect at Creative Group LLP, New Delhi, where he leads large-scale, transformative projects across sectors including aviation, mass transit, institutional campuses, urban infrastructure, and commercial developments. Shah has played a pivotal role in redefining India’s infrastructure design landscape. Under his leadership, Creative Group has successfully delivered over 55 airport terminals, including the modernization of Chennai International Airport, and terminals at Vadodara, Raipur, Goa, Ahmedabad, Agartala, Bhubaneshwar, and Gwalior.

His work on the Dera Baba Nanak Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, inaugurated by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi in 2019, is a benchmark in rapid and quality execution. The firm has also won competitions for 45+ railway stations, land and sea ports, and major transit-oriented developments.

In an exclusive interaction with Homes India,Ar. Gurpreet Singh Shah shed light on the nitty-gritty of integrating nature into India’s urban landscapes:

What is the current market situation for urban landscapes in India?

India's urban landscape market stands at an inflection point. Rapid urbanization has significantly elevated the demand for green and restorative public spaces, yet the supply often lags behind. Developers are increasingly recognizing that well-designed parks, expansive street tree canopies, and vibrant community gardens substantially enhance property values, drive higher footfalls in retail precincts, and boost overall wellbeing qualities – attributes now highly prized by discerning homeowners and corporates alike. However, land scarcity and intense real estate pressures mean that many municipalities struggle to allocate adequate space for genuine green corridors. As a result, we observe a bifurcation in the market: premium residential and commercial projects frequently tout impressive biophilic elements like sky gardens, green roofs, and pocket parks, while mid-income housing and informal settlements still grapple with minimal or often token landscaping. In my experience, enlightened developers are progressively allocating budgets toward integrated landscape master plans, though this remains an emerging trend rather than the established norm. Despite current challenges, the potential for growth in this sector is immense, driven by increasing awareness and demand for greener urban environments.

How do you see climate resilience in biophilic urban design in India's metropolitan areas?

In India's megacities – Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai – biophilic design is not merely a luxury but a crucial necessity for achieving climate resilience. When we design for nature, we inherently build systems that effectively mitigate urban heat islands, manage stormwater runoff, and significantly improve air quality. For instance, in Chennai, integrating rain gardens and bioswales around airport precincts proved instrumental in channeling monsoon runoff and substantially reducing flood risk. Similarly, Delhi's Yamuna Biodiversity Park powerfully demonstrates how extensive green buffers can filter air pollutants and effectively recharge aquifers. By creating continuous green corridors, whether through strategic street tree plantations or riparian restoration, we provide essential natural cooling and enhance carbon sequestration. Crucially, biophilic interventions must be context-sensitive: choosing native plant palettes that thrive in local microclimates, designing multifunctional landscapes that double as emergency flood detention zones, and ensuring robust community stewardship are paramount. Ultimately, climate-resilient cities in India will succeed only when nature-based solutions are deeply embedded into every master plan, rather than being relegated to isolated pockets.

What are some successful examples of biophilic design implementation in Indian urban planning so far?

India boasts several pioneering projects that demonstrate the tangible benefits of biophilic integration. The Chennai International Airport modernization, which I led, introduced a central "green spine" featuring vertical gardens and daylight tunnels, seamlessly connecting travelers to a landscaped courtyard that moderates indoor temperatures while fostering a profound sense of calm. In Ahmedabad, the transformative Sabarmati Riverfront redevelopment revitalized over 11 kilometers of riverbank with flood-resilient green embankments, pedestrian promenades gracefully lined with native trees, and functional pocket wetlands serving both recreation and habitat restoration. Bengaluru's Namma Metro has also embraced biophilic design by strategically planting native tree avenues alongside elevated corridors and shaping stations with landscaped terraces that efficiently absorb rainwater. Even prominent corporate campuses such as the Infosys and Wipro headquarters have integrated serene lakes, vibrant butterfly gardens, and open-air amphitheaters framed by indigenous plantings. These compelling case studies clearly illustrate that, when stakeholders commit to "design with nature," the outcomes are both ecologically sound and socially uplifting.

What policies or regulatory frameworks are currently supporting biophilic development in India?

India's policy landscape is gradually evolving to encourage green infrastructure, though it currently remains fragmented. Under the Smart Cities Mission, cities are now required to maintain a minimum of 15 percent green cover, which has directly led to mandatory allocations for parks, tree-lined streets, and urban forests. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) enforces "no-development zones" along ecologically sensitive areas such as riverbanks, wetlands, and coastal buffers, effectively helping preserve natural corridors within urban boundaries. On the building and airport side, the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) have become primary tools, incentivizing features like green roofs, rainwater harvesting, native planting, and energy-efficient systems to achieve higher star ratings.

For example, Creative Group LLP's design for Gwalior Airport earned a GRIHA 5-Star rating by integrating extensive rainwater harvesting systems, using sustainably sourced materials, and installing solar panels to offset electricity demand, all while maximizing daylighting through large skylights and atriums. Similarly, Creative Group's Agartala Airport terminal achieved a GRIHA 4-Star rating by incorporating automated lighting controls, native landscaping around aprons and taxiways to reduce heat gain, and a high-performance façade that minimizes air-conditioning loads. At the state level, Karnataka and Maharashtra offer floor-area-ratio (FAR) relaxations or density bonuses to projects that exceed stipulated green cover thresholds, actively encouraging developers to integrate on-site parks or green buffers. However, there is no single "Biophilic Urbanism Act" at the national level; existing frameworks tend to promote individual green measures rather than a cohesive, ecosystem-based approach. To truly accelerate biophilic integration, India needs a unified regulatory mandate that directly links development rights to quantifiable biodiversity gains, ensuring projects deliver measurable ecosystem services beyond token landscaping.

In your experience, how approachable are Indian developers and architects at merging natural systems in their projects?

In my two decades of practice, I've observed that larger, progressive developers and design firms are increasingly open to integrating natural systems, especially when they envision long-term returns in terms of occupant health, operational savings, and enhanced brand equity. For instance, when Creative Group proposed a net-zero master plan for IIT Jodhpur, we advocated for solar-shaded courtyards and indigenous xeriscape planting, and the client immediately recognized the value in reduced energy loads. Conversely, smaller developers or those chasing short-cycle profits sometimes view biophilic features as mere cost-centers rather than strategic investments. My approach has consistently been to quantify "green dividends": demonstrating precisely how green façades lower air conditioning loads, how rain gardens reduce stormwater utility charges, and how biodiversity corridors attract premium tenants. When we present biophilic design as an ROI-driven proposition, backed by compelling global case studies, most stakeholders become quite receptive. The increasing awareness and demand from end-users for healthier and more sustainable living environments are also significantly driving this openness among developers. However, continuous education and lowering perceived implementation barriers remain key.

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 What are the future insights of nature in the urban landscapes of India?

Looking ahead, India's cities will need to embrace a fundamental paradigm shift: from treating nature as a mere afterthought to boldly reimagining urban environments as inherently natural ecosystems. I foresee a proliferation of vertical forests – mixed-use towers gracefully wrapped in cascading vegetation that serve as vital microclimate regulators. Rooftop agriculture and community orchards on housing complexes will increasingly provide both food security and foster stronger social cohesion. We'll witness the emergence of smart green corridors: linear parks embedded with sensors to monitor air quality, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture, enabling highly adaptive urban forestry. Urban wetlands will make a crucial return as integrated water treatment hubs, purifying greywater and supporting wildlife even within dense neighborhoods. Policy-wise, I anticipate India's next national urban policy to explicitly mandate biodiversity net gain, requiring all large-scale developments to offset ecological footprints through robust on-site or nearby green infrastructure. Ultimately, India's urban renaissance will hinge on seamlessly weaving traditional ecological wisdom – such as the cooling principles of stepwells and the microclimate comfort provided by "charpais" under neem trees – with cutting-edge biophilic engineering, forging cities that truly breathe, heal, and regenerate. 

Ultimately, the future of India's urban landscapes is not merely about constructing buildings, but about cultivating living ecosystems. As we look ahead, the integration of nature into our cities will not only define their resilience and liveability but also reflect our collective commitment to a harmonious coexistence with the natural world. This paradigm shift, championed by forward-thinking design and policy, promises to transform India's metropolises into truly regenerative and inspiring spaces for generations to come.