Global Housing Technology Challenge, Objectives, Key Features

Global Housing Technology Challenge, launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in January 2019 under PMAY-Urban, aims to bring modern, affordable, sustainable and disaster-resistant construction technologies to India’s housing sector. By promoting innovative materials and methods, it seeks to deliver quality housing faster and at lower cost, while encouraging collaboration between Indian and international technology providers. As part of the initiative, six Light House Projects (LHPs) were selected across different states to serve as practical demonstration models for eco-friendly, advanced housing solutions. 

Global Housing Technology Challenge Objectives

The main objective of the Global Housing Technology Challenge-India is to improve India’s affordable housing sector by introducing faster, cost-effective and environmentally friendly construction technologies. Its major objectives are discussed below:

• Promote Innovative Construction Technologies: Identify and introduce modern housing construction technologies from India and other countries to improve building quality and efficiency.
• Provide Affordable Housing: Reduce construction costs and make safe, durable and quality housing more accessible to economically weaker sections and low-income families.
• Encourage Sustainable Construction: Promote eco-friendly building materials and technologies that reduce energy consumption, construction waste and environmental damage.
• Improve Disaster Resilience: Encourage the construction of houses that can better withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones and floods.
• Reduce Construction Time: Introduce advanced building methods that can complete housing projects faster than conventional brick-and-mortar construction.
• Support Indian Startups and Innovators: Encourage domestic companies, startups and researchers to develop new technologies for affordable housing.
• Promote Skill Development: Provide practical training to engineers, architects, construction workers and other professionals in modern building technologies.

Global Housing Technology Challenge Key Features

The GHTC-India initiative focuses on modernizing the housing construction sector through technology, sustainability and skill development. Its important features are explained below:

• Launched in 2019: The initiative was introduced in January 2019 under PMAY-U to promote advanced construction technologies in India’s affordable housing sector.
• Nodal Ministry: It is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India.
• Global Technology Participation: It provides a platform for national and international technology providers to introduce innovative construction methods suitable for Indian conditions.
• Six Light House Projects: Six demonstration housing projects were selected in Indore, Rajkot, Chennai, Ranchi, Agartala and Lucknow, each comprising approximately 1,000 housing units.
• Technology-Based Construction: The initiative promotes modern technologies such as precast concrete systems, prefabricated building components, light-gauge steel structures and advanced formwork systems.
• Environmentally Friendly Housing: It encourages construction techniques that reduce material wastage, conserve resources and improve energy efficiency.
• Technology Innovation Grants (TIG): Financial support is provided for adopting selected innovative construction technologies in Light House Projects, subject to applicable guidelines.
• Practical Learning Opportunities: Light House Projects function as live laboratories where engineers, students and construction professionals can learn about advanced housing technologies.
• Support for Domestic Innovation: Through ASHA-India, the initiative supports Indian startups and technology developers working on affordable and sustainable housing solutions.

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Global Housing Technology Challenge Major Components

The Global Housing Technology Challenge-India has three major components that focus on identifying advanced technologies, demonstrating their practical applications and supporting new innovations in the housing sector.

1. Grand Expo and Conference

The Grand Expo and Conference provides a common platform for housing technology providers, government agencies, researchers, builders and other stakeholders.

• It promotes the exchange of knowledge about innovative housing construction technologies.
• It allows Indian and international companies to showcase modern building materials and construction methods.
• It encourages collaboration among government institutions, private companies and technology developers.
• It helps identify suitable technologies for affordable and sustainable housing construction in India.

2. Proven Demonstrable Technologies for Light House Projects

This component focuses on demonstrating selected innovative construction technologies through actual housing projects.

• Six Light House Projects were selected across different states to demonstrate six distinct construction technologies.
• Each project includes approximately 1,000 houses along with necessary physical and social infrastructure.
• These projects act as live laboratories for testing, learning and demonstrating modern construction methods.
• The technologies are intended to reduce construction time while improving housing quality, durability and sustainability.
• The projects also provide opportunities for technology transfer and practical training.

3. Potential Future Technologies for Incubation and Acceleration Support

This component focuses on supporting emerging Indian technologies that have the potential to improve affordable housing construction.

• It operates through the Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators-India (ASHA-India) programme.
• It encourages research and development in construction technologies, building materials and related products.
• It provides incubation support to early-stage technologies that are not yet ready for commercial use.
• It offers acceleration support to technologies that have reached the prototype stage and are closer to market adoption.
• It helps Indian startups, entrepreneurs and researchers bring innovative housing solutions into practical use.

Global Housing Technology Challenge Initiatives

Several important initiatives have been introduced under GHTC-India to encourage technological innovation, promote sustainable housing and strengthen the skills of construction professionals.

1. Light House Projects (LHPs)

• The Light House Projects are among the most important initiatives under GHTC-India.
• On 1 January 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for six Light House Projects across India through videoconferencing.
• These projects demonstrate different innovative construction technologies that can help deliver affordable, durable and disaster-resistant houses in less time.
• The six locations and their respective technologies are:
  • Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Prefabricated sandwich panel system
  • Rajkot (Gujarat): Monolithic concrete construction using tunnel formwork
  • Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Precast concrete construction system
  • Ranchi (Jharkhand): Precast concrete construction using a 3D volumetric system
  • Agartala (Tripura): Light-gauge steel structural system
  • Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): PVC stay-in-place formwork system
• Each project is designed to demonstrate modern housing construction methods that can be adopted in other parts of the country.

2. Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators-India (ASHA-India)

• ASHA-India is an initiative under GHTC-India that supports Indian startups, entrepreneurs and researchers developing innovative technologies for affordable housing.
• Its main features include:
  • Promoting research and innovation in housing construction technologies and building materials.
  • Providing incubation support to early-stage innovations that require further development and testing.
  • Offering acceleration support to more developed technologies to help them reach the market.
  • Connecting innovators with technical experts, certification agencies, developers and other industry stakeholders.
  • Encouraging the development of affordable, sustainable and locally suitable construction solutions.
• Under the programme, promising technologies receive guidance and support to improve their commercial and practical applications.

3. NAVARITIH Certification Course

• The government introduced NAVARITIH (New, Affordable, Validated, Research Innovation Technologies for Indian Housing) to promote knowledge and training in innovative construction technologies.
• The certification course was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 January 2021.
• It provides information about new and emerging housing construction technologies.
• It helps engineers, architects, students and construction professionals understand innovative building methods.
• It encourages the adoption of affordable, sustainable and disaster-resistant construction practices.
• It supports skill development and knowledge sharing in India's housing sector.

4. Construction Technology Year 2019-20

• During the inauguration of GHTC-India in March 2019, the Prime Minister declared 2019-20 as the Construction Technology Year.
• The initiative aimed to increase awareness about modern construction technologies and encourage their wider adoption in India's housing sector.
• It also emphasized the importance of innovation, research and skill development in achieving affordable housing goals.

Global Housing Technology Challenge Significance 

The Global Housing Technology Challenge-India plays an important role in improving the quality, affordability and sustainability of urban housing. It supports India’s efforts to address housing shortages while promoting innovation in the construction industry. Its major significance is explained below:

• Faster Housing Construction: Advanced technologies such as prefabricated components and precast concrete systems can reduce construction time and help deliver housing projects more efficiently.
• Affordable Housing Development: Efficient construction methods and reduced material wastage can help control housing costs, making quality homes more accessible to economically weaker sections.
• Environmental Sustainability: The initiative promotes technologies that can reduce construction waste, conserve water and building materials, and improve energy efficiency.
• Improved Disaster Resistance: Modern construction technologies can strengthen buildings against earthquakes, cyclones and other natural hazards when designed according to relevant safety standards.
• Support for PMAY-U: GHTC-India complements the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban by promoting innovative technologies that can improve the speed and quality of affordable housing construction.
• Employment and Skill Development: The initiative creates opportunities for engineers, architects, technicians and construction workers to learn modern construction methods and improve their technical skills.
• Promotion of Indian Innovation: Through ASHA-India, domestic startups and researchers receive opportunities to develop and commercialize innovative housing technologies.
• Technology Transfer and Global Cooperation: The initiative encourages collaboration between Indian institutions and international technology providers, helping bring advanced construction solutions to India.
• Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals: GHTC-India supports Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting affordable, safe, resilient and sustainable housing.
• Modernization of the Construction Sector: By demonstrating innovative building technologies through Light House Projects, the initiative encourages wider adoption of modern construction practices across India.