Panaji, Sep 22 (IANS) Policy makers, strategists, officials and industry experts will converge here Thursday to deliberate on water, energy, waste management and other issues dogging the planned growth of urban India in a burgeoning economy.

Organised by the independent forum — Global Initiative for Restructuring Environment and Management (GIREM), the third edition of the ‘Urban Planning and Real Estate Leadership summit’ will focus on finding solutions for sustainable development and management of metros and tier one and tier two cities.

‘The three-day annual summit provides an opportunity to discuss the latest trends in the industry, share ideas and learn from expert presentations on various issues that confront urban planning and real estate growth in the Indian sub-continent,’ GIREM president Shyam Sundar told IANS.

The summit has emerged as a unique platform for all stakeholders in the industry, including corporate end users of office, commercial and retail, developers, architects, consultants and investors to interact through its various sessions and chalk out growth strategies.

‘Business establishments will be at the forefront to collaborate and find solutions to change the way we perform in a globalised world. Water, energy, waste management and other pressing issues of urban India will be in the centre stage of discussions,’ Sundar said.

Supported by the Goan tourism ministry, with global financial and professional services major Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) and the Indian School of Business (ISB) as knowledge partners, the summit will witness presentations and participation by JLL chairman Anuj Puri, Red Fort Capital managing director Parry Singh, Kotak Realty director for investments Hari Krishna and Environment Minister Aleixo Sequiera, among others.

‘The event provides a right platform for industry professionals and other stakeholders to connect with the real world and co-create the future that beholds us. Seminars and panel discussions during the summit add value to the understanding of the challenges faced by the urban development sector,’ Puri pointed out.

The event will explore a multi-dimensional approach to issues of commercial office space, location, special economic zones (SEZ) and impact of real estate business.