Demystifying Myths Around Sustainability in Affordable Housing in the Indian Context

Akash Deep, Masa Noguchi, Prerona Kaushik and Aditi Dev

Chapter 4 in Smart Villages and Sustainable Rural Development:Building a Body of Knowledge for a Climate-Positive Future, 2026, pp 65-89 from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract: Around 70% of India’s infrastructure is yet to be built, and as the residential sector is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions, therefore, to achieve the national goal of net zero by 2070, housing will play a crucial role across the country. Urban centres are growing exponentially and are further aided by rural migration to these centres, which increases various challenges. Providing a sustainable, comfortable, and economical house to these migrants is a far-fetched dream for various municipalities. These affordable houses, if built in mass development using the current urban practices, will further widen the gap for achieving net zero by locking in the carbon for the next 60 years. Hence, it is imperative to make sure that the current development is sustainable. This chapter explores various initiatives in India to make these affordable houses sustainable. It evaluates various low-cost design solutions, incentive financial mechanisms, policies, and ratings for pushing affordable urban, semi-urban&rural houses towards sustainability. The chapter aims to provide various case studies from various climates and topographies in India. It further explores how each stakeholder, such as architects, developers, banks, policymakers, users, and many others, plays a vital role in creating a conducive environment for the wider adoption of sustainable infrastructure. This research emphasises the need for a multi-dimensional approach to integrity and sustainably for the weaker section of our society and reinforces the foundation for an equal and socially inclusive economy.

Keywords: Sustainable Rural Construction; Smart Villages; Climate-Positive; Energy Efficiency; Renewable Energy; Sustainable Agriculture; Food Security; Water Management; Social Equity and Inclusion; Circular Economy; Urban-Rural Linkages (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O18 Q01 Q54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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