In India, you have the opportunity to create and innovate

01 Sep 2014 Editorial Team

Michael Jansen, Chairman & CEO, CityZenith
"In 1992, while I was in China, I received a book - The New Urban Landscape by Charles Correa - from my father, which emphasised on the urban challenges of Mumbai. It intrigued me and I was fortunate to speak to Correa. He encouraged me to come and learn about ´the other half of Asia´. In my first year in India, I visited 70 different cities, travelling by train and bus, to the remotest locations. After this, I returned to the US. My visit again was with a renowned US architect to open his office in India. In 1998, I was lucky to discuss the future of India with businessmen like Ratan Tata and Godrej. In 2003, I formed my own architectural production company in Delhi with about 1,200 architects in its ambit to produce technical documentation for architecture firms abroad. We have completed over 5,000 projects across India.

A few things that make architecture in India special today are the impact of technology on the profession, namely Building Information Modelling (BIM) or 3D modelling, and the influence of international practices transformed for the Indian context. The new set of architects brings a perfect blend of contemporary and old architecture. If you go back to the days of the British Empire, British architecture emerged from the building boom coincident with the rise of the Raj. Today, in India you have that same opportunity to create and innovate. I would like to say to the architects here, in addition to the great buildings you design, the cities will need your help too. Please take those lessons of design, context and history and bring it to your cities. India has to build 200 cities over the next 20 years and it needs your help to do it.´

To view the video of this speech, log on to
www.constructionworld.in/cwabawards2014/michaeljansen

Infrastructure Urban

03 Nov 2025

Vice-President Backs Global Unity at IN-STEP 2025

Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed delegates at the 3rd edition of the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) held at the Vice-President’s Enclave in New Delhi. IN-STEP serves as a key dialogue platform for senior national security officers from India and friendly foreign nations. The current edition hosts 44 delegates, including 32 international participants representing 24 Global South countries. Commending the joint efforts of the National Defence College, National Security Council Secretariat, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Defen..

India to Host Global Maritime Events in Visakhapatnam

India will host three major international maritime events in February 2026 at Visakhapatnam — the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, Exercise MILAN 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs. Scheduled from 15 to 25 February 2026, this marks the first time India will conduct all three significant maritime gatherings simultaneously. The events embody Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — announced in 2025. The MAHASAGAR framework extends India’s SAGAR (Security and ..

Heavy Industries Ministry Frees 4.4 Million Sq Ft Under SCDPM 5.0

Inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision to institutionalise Swachhata and clear long-pending matters, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), along with its Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Autonomous Bodies (ABs), actively participated in the fifth consecutive year of the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) 5.0, held from 2 to 31 October 2025. Throughout the campaign, MHI worked closely with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, reporting daily progress on a dedicated monitoring portal. Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister..