Growing our Cities business in India

With a strong track record of delivering sustainable urban development and tall building projects in India, Buro Happold is now expanding its Cities business in the region.

India is one of Buro Happold’s most exciting locations due to its rapid urban development. We have been operating in the region for many years, with offices in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Therefore, expanding our Cities business is the natural next step, as it aligns with our global growth strategy and helps support our extensive building portfolio in India.

In light of the climate and biodiversity crisis, the pace of change in our cities is accelerating, from how we decarbonise buildings to retrofitting stranded assets. In order to bring value to our clients, we are committed to meeting these challenges head on, and India is no exception. Growing our Cities team in India enables us to continue to deliver exceptional engineering solutions for commercial clients, as well as extending our reach across South Asia.

Our India Cities team is responsible for growing our cities and masterplanning offer in the region, including developing solutions for clients to tackle the pressures of increased urbanisation and climate change. Cities Global Chair Gavin Thompson works with the wider Global Leadership team to devise solutions for these emergent challenges within the built environment.

At Buro Happold, we are committed to creating a better, more sustainable world. Nowhere is this need more pressing than in India. Our teams will play a crucial role in promoting Buro Happold’s masterplanning and cities expertise in India.

Krishnendu Mukherjee, Managing Director of Buro Happold India

We speak to members of our team about what is driving this expansion, our ambitions for the future and the role of Indian market within our wider business.

What engineering and consultancy services are the team offering in India?

Buro Happold have built a very strong infrastructure engineering and strategic masterplanning team in India. We have experience working on both local and global projects and our aim is to continue to grow our portfolio. For instance, we are currently working on a couple of high-profile masterplanning projects in India. The next step is to grow our team. So, we are looking to hire some additional senior leaders with expertise in strategic planning.

In addition to infrastructure engineering and strategic masterplanning, our Cities team also offers expertise in:

• Climate change adaption and resilience
• Net zero carbon
• Air pollution
• Energy efficiency
• Water management
• Waste management.

These are the key areas where we are facing significant challenges in India. To combat these challenges, we need to offer tangible solutions to clients.

For example, Buro Happold has advised clients such as C40 Cities, Rockefeller Foundation and City of London on clean construction, urban resilience and climate adaption pathways to resource efficient, net zero policies to ensure cities are able to withstand future challenges. In turn, this helps deliver healthy, resilient and thriving urban communities.

This is something we are aiming to offer to the Indian market. In order to achieve this, we will be collaborating with our existing global partners and clients.

India is aiming to be net zero by 2070. What role will Buro Happold play in this?

Net zero is probably the most exciting mission that India is embarking on. Unlike the developed world, India will need to maintain economic growth whilst implementing net zero strategies. For example, focusing on green economic principles, including manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, mobility, construction, healthcare, agriculture and tourism.

As a result, India will need to prioritise delivering sustainable and equitable engineering solutions. This is where Buro Happold can play a major role. Our experience in green cities, coupled with our commitment to driving the net zero carbon agenda will be vital in delivering these solutions for our clients.

Buro Happold is committed to developing and sharing knowledge of net zero across engineering and construction, particularly with our clients, collaborators partners. In addition to our own sustainability targets, we were among the first signatories to the World Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Declaration.

India is a very competitive market. What is unique about Buro Happold’s Cities business in India?

Indian clients are demanding, knowledgeable and diligent. For example, some of my clients are already planning to include net zero strategies in their upcoming office developments. This demonstrates their commitment to the continuous improvement of their built environment assets. Buro Happold’s unique blend of engineering design prowess and consultancy expertise means that we can deliver the full package.

Yes, India is a price sensitive market, but our clients know the difference between premium and run of the mill consultant. Our engineering heritage, combined with our commitment to the protection and enhancement of our planet, means we offer clients an integrated approach to the built environment. Our experts provide clients with design outcomes that consider the full range of risks to cities, infrastructure and masterplanning.

The rate of change in Indian cities is exhilarating, which is why we are so excited that Jitesh has joined us to spearhead our engagement in this market.

Gavin Thompson, Partner and Cities Global Chair at Buro Happold

What is the mantra for success in India?

Collaboration is Buro Happold’s mantra. I feel that everyone has a place in the Indian market, and so rather than duplicating, it is important to collaborate and co-create opportunities.

In India, we are working with architects, planners, consultants, investors, NGOs and educational institutes. I would be happy to even collaborate with some of our competitors, if we can complement each other’s strengths of course!

To find out more about Buro Happold India, visit our office page.