Realty Plus in conversation with Architect Anil Hatkar, President Lambda Alpha International (LAI) India
Give me a brief description about your journey? It’s been more than 40 years that I have been in the profession of architecture. The scenario was quite different when I started. That time the field of architecture was in nascent stages. Awareness of the profession was not there. In fact, it was in 1962, that the architecture as a recognized discipline came into being with a five-year degree course. How evolved architecture as a profession has become? The trajectory of becoming an architect is the same. However, new technologies and systems have become part of this profession now. Instead of hand drawings & sketching, the advance software can help draw much faster and even give detailed 3D images of the project. . The architects, consultants, engineers are still not given the kind of respect their vocation deserves. Many are not even paid properly and timely. Though we have come a long way and in metro cities, the change is evident, yet lot more needs to be done to give due credit to the consultants in the field of design, engineering and infrastructure, if we want the Indian real-estate to reach global standards. What is the gap between the land economics and land use? The idea of RERA is not very clear as of now. Also, in my opinion before new development, redevelopment of existing land and infrastructure is mandatory. While, government is planning developing Smart cities, funding and implementation becomes the key to success. If we plan to make Indian cities Smart, implementation plan should be there. The most important thing is the clarity about the funding. The right roadmap to achieve the targets is also required. Though, initiative has been taken by the PM of our country, clarity in what the government is proposing and implementing on the ground is requisite. We need proper infrastructure for the Make in India campaign proposed by the government of India. Rules should not be made complicated and on-groundapplication should be made clear. Lambda Alpha International (LAI) began and how LAI India began? Lambda Alpha International (LAI) is a global land economics society where top professionals connect. Members make meaningful connections at the local chapter level and with peers worldwide.LAI chapters are located in major cities in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. It provides a forum for the exchange of ideas on land use and development. The members (only by invite membership) come from a wide variety of fields related to the use and reuse of land. This professional diversity creates a unique blend of perspectives and experience. I have been associated with LAI for the last 10-15 years. I was a part of a group in Canada and had attended the LAI conferences in other cities of the world. When I got inducted as a member, I started promoting India and its economy which is second largest in the world. I felt India lacked best practices, benchmarking and international standard knowledge in the real-estate segment. The exposure to international experts was what we required here. Over the period of time with continued efforts, LAI India chapter was instituted two years back and we look forward to bringing international land experts who can see the opportunities here and can engage in Indian projects. What is the way forward for Indian realty sector? People at the helm of organisation should discuss and strategize the important things and pay attention to the basic needs of the citizens. The developer’s community is facing a lot of challenges which needs to be addressed. They should be given credit of providing housing and infrastructure to the people of the country, irrespective of the few rotten apples, that happen to be there in all professions. Another important stakeholder in the land development is the investors. All professional of the realty sector have to strategize and make blue prints and reach the right people after a knowledgeable discussion that we have in the industry conferences. Efforts should be put in the right direction and administrative efficiencies should be taken care of. Taking the discussions to the decision –makers should be the endeavour of the media.
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