Tamil Nadu has always been one of India’s most urbanised and industrialised States. Today, more than half of our population lives in urban areas. Every year, lakhs of people migrate to our towns and cities seeking better opportunities, education, healthcare, and employment.

Urbanisation is not merely about constructing buildings. It is about creating cities that are inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and economically vibrant.

Today, Tamil Nadu is witnessing an unprecedented investment in manufacturing, Global Capability Centres, logistics, electronics, automobiles, renewable energy, and emerging technologies.

Every new investment creates demand for quality housing, commercial spaces, industrial parks, transport infrastructure, and modern urban services. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

The challenge is to ensure that growth is well planned. The opportunity is to create cities that remain liveable not only for today’s generation but also for future generations. We are working towards faster planning approvals, improved infrastructure, integrated mobility, better stormwater management, enhanced water security, scientific waste management, affordable housing, and sustainable urban development.

Green buildings, energy-efficient construction, water conservation, climate-resilient infrastructure, and smart urban planning will be integral to Tamil Nadu’s future growth.

The government alone cannot build world-class cities. The private sector, architects, engineers, financial institutions, technology providers, and citizens are equal partners in this journey. I invite every stakeholder present here to work closely with the government in creating sustainable, affordable, innovative, and future-ready urban ecosystems. Tamil Nadu offers policy stability, skilled manpower, excellent infrastructure, industrial strength, and a transparent governance framework.

(Edited excerpt from the keynote address by Minister for Housing and Urban Development B. Rajkumar, who inaugurated The Hindu Real Estate & Urban Infrastructure Summit 2026 in Chennai, July 30.)