'Amaravati planned on demographic analysis, economic drivers'

SINGAPORE: Singaporean masterplanner Surbana Jurong has said its work on Andhra Pradesh's proposed capital Amaravati is based on demographic analysis and economic drivers, providing "tailor-made solutions" to fit the local environment and culture.

"For our role as the master-planner, for Andhra Pradesh, we provided an analysis of demographic and economic drivers, while identifying potential growth opportunities in jobs and sectors for the client's consideration," said Pang Yee Ean, Group chief operating officer of Surbana Jurong.

"The end goal is always to produce an efficient land use masterplan that incorporates commercial, residential, public facilities, transport and infrastructure," Pang said in an email to PTI.

Surbana Jurong, which has completed a wide array of projects in more than 51 countries across 167 cities, has handed over all plans for three phases of Andhra Amaravati development; the third was in July.

"We will also need to ensure that our urban solutions factor-in local cultural, economic and social considerations," Pang stressed, pointing out that Surbana Jurong is familiar with working on projects in different parts of the world.

"We have a planning and design methodology that provides tailor-made solutions that fit the local environment and culture," he said.

He also cited the 2015 World Economic Forum's Global competitiveness report which projects India's urban population to increase to 814 million by 2050 from 410 million in 2014.

While urban planning is the first step with a primary role in integrating housing, strategic infrastructure and urban infrastructure, a key driver of the economy to make sustainable progress will be developing India's infrastructure that includes power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development, said Pang.

"The Amaravati masterplan that we have delivered proposes infrastructure nodes that meet economic, social and environmental objectives," he said. "We committed master planning professionals from our headquarters in Singapore to work on this project," he said.

On the operational level, Surbana Jurong has assigned key project directors and specific teams to look into the various aspects of the planning like transport and infrastructure.

"To ensure that we deliver a masterplan that enables the state to meet its economic, social and environmental objectives in the years to come, we (have) set-up a steering committee with all key stakeholders involved for this project to work closely with the government of Andhra Pradesh," he said.

The capital city, covering 7,325 sq km, will be developed over the years by 2050.

The Centre has thus far sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore for the capital city infrastructure.