Given that the sector is notoriously opaque, the initiative has chosen transparency as one of its key themes to focus on. We strive to promote price and process transparency within the sector through better data and analysis that will be widely disseminated using technology. The initiative is also focused on empowering the public through events that will facilitate easy but insightful analysis on major policies and actions. We believe that the sector needs to remain transparent in order for it to achieve its potential in aiding India’s growth and development.

The initiative is keen to undertake scientific assessments of the impact of several governmental policies that concern housing and real estate development. Most policies get introduced with fanfare but fail to achieve their intended goals for several reasons. Without a proper understanding of these reasons, it is hard to imagine how they could be overcome by future policies. Aside of research, the initiative also aims to engage directly with the government through its membership in committees and panels as well as through its debate and discourse on public channels.

Given the diversity of technology solutions that exist today, it is important to understand and leverage technology to address social issues concerning land and its development. Whether it is the SMART cities initiative or improving urban governance, technology remains an important enabler. Our projects seek to use technology extensively, both as a means (aids to research and analysis) as well as an end itself (technology-based solutions).

We seek to build capacity, both in thought as well as practice, among stakeholders including the government. Our goal is to help in the diffusion of ideas and best practices that are currently being constrained by the fragmentation in the sector. To achieve that goal, we plan to develop training programmes, create standards and metrics, and facilitate formal and informal networks using conferences and workshops and raise awareness of best practices through articles, whitepapers and other forms of media.