How Bengaluru Can Lead India in Sustainable Real Estate by 2030

Imagine a city where every new structure is more than just concrete and steel — it’s a step toward a cleaner, healthier future. That vision is becoming reality in Bengaluru.

Ranked India’s most livable metro in 2025, the city is setting benchmarks in sustainability, smart planning and forward-looking real estate development. Bangalore has always been a city that inspires forward thinking, and it now emerges as one of India’s most compelling examples of sustainable urban development.

This rise is reflected in the city’s performance. In the residential segment, Bengaluru sees nearly 79% price appreciation over the last five years, signaling strong market confidence and steady end-user demand. Commercial real estate continues to reinforce Bengaluru’s status as India’s top office market. According to a report by Cushman & Wakefield, the city records 6.6 million sqft of net absorption in the first half of 2025, one of the highest across Indian metros.

More importantly, new developments in the commercial segment increasingly focus on sustainability. Around 80% of this absorption comes from green-certified Grade-A buildings, highlighting the growing preference among occupants for environmentally responsible spaces that reduce long-term operating costs.

This trend mirrors a nationwide shift. Knight Frank notes that Bengaluru contributes significantly to the 65% rise in green-certified Grade-A offices across India since 2019. Their research emphasises India’s Silicon Valley’s strong pipeline of upcoming green projects, driven by evolving tenant expectations, ESG commitments, and developer strategies focused on long-term resilience. Achievements like delivering India’s first near-net-zero energy operations mall show what is possible when innovation and intent come together.

Sustainability is no longer a niche feature in Bengaluru but becoming the norm. Developers increasingly incorporate solar-ready rooftops, high-performance insulation, smart ventilation, EV-charging points, and recycled construction materials in both residential and commercial spaces. These measures improve energy performance while adding long-term value for occupants. Government policies further accelerate this shift. Incentives such as tax rebates, reduced registration fees, and fast-track approvals for green-certified projects encourage developers to invest aggressively in eco-friendly design. The enforcement of the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) drives adoption as well.

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Cushman & Wakefield notes that 70% of new Grade-A office completions in H1 2025 integrate advanced green features such as optimised façades, solar power readiness, and efficient water systems. Water conservation remains central to Bengaluru’s sustainability model. Most large developments now integrate rainwater harvesting, on-site STPs, dual plumbing, and smart water metering, significantly reducing dependence on groundwater and supporting long-term environmental balance.

Construction practices evolve too. The use of low-VOC paints, permeable pavements, recycled aggregates, and green roofing systems reflects a broader move toward climate-resilient construction aligned with modern planning norms. With rooftop solar subsidies and improved technical support, eco-friendly construction becomes more financially feasible. Regulatory reforms since 2025, including mandatory RERA compliance and digitised Khata systems, improve transparency, reduce unauthorised building activity, and enhance buyer trust—critical components of a healthy and sustainable real estate ecosystem.

Alongside these structural changes, Bengaluru’s approach to urban design increasingly prioritises wellness and community living. Many new developments now include landscaped parks, rooftop gardens, walking paths, lakefront amenities, and waste-management systems. These elements enhance quality of life while supporting Bengaluru’s identity as a “garden-tech metropolis” where innovation blends with nature. At the Green Building Congress 2025, we share how our work reflects the city’s broader commitment to climate resilience and responsible growth. Our pledge to plant one million trees in Bengaluru reflects the long-term relationship we share with the city, reinforcing the idea that development can go hand in hand with ecological restoration.

Building for a brighter future: Easy yet effective steps

The India State of Forest Report 2023 shows that forest cover in Bengaluru grows from 89 sq. km in 2021 to 89.6 sq. km in 2023. Though modest, it signals a city capable of healing and renewing itself. Reclaiming our identity as the Garden City is within reach. Achieving 33% green cover across urban and suburban areas would cool the city, improve air quality, enrich biodiversity, and create more inviting public spaces. Rooftop gardening offers tremendous potential—each terrace transformed into a green haven adds shade, reduces heat, and nurtures community pride.

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Water resilience offers another bright horizon. In a city often facing water scarcity, expanding the reuse of treated wastewater presents a transformative opportunity. The Government of Karnataka lays strong groundwork with pioneering recycled-water initiatives, showing what vision can achieve. With strong governance, technology-driven planning, and a clear focus on advanced renewable energy use, Bengaluru demonstrates that a city can grow and remain responsible to its environment.

Conclusion
With robust policies and clear standards by 2030, Bengaluru can confidently lead India toward a circular, climate-ready water future, turning challenges into opportunities for lasting sustainability. Forward-thinking developers and city leaders alike prove that innovation, responsibility, and human-focused planning can create a truly livable, resilient, and future-ready urban ecosystem.

About The Author

Zayd Noaman, President, CREDAI Bengaluru serves as the youngest President of an urban development organisation, creating a platform for innovation, sustainability and collaboration across the real estate sector. Through Zayd's networking with developers, regulators, and other policy-makers, he has had a direct impact on shaping Real Estate trends across Bengaluru and beyond.