The Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC) was created by the housing ministry to make the construction of homes more cost-effective and progressive.
What is the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC)?
The GHTC-India was first launched on January 14, 2019, with applications available for proven and promising innovations and registrations for participation in the grand expo and conference.
Since India’s urban population is predicted to grow by 40% by 2030, the housing ministry has launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) to meet this rising need for housing in cities throughout the country. The Global Housing Technology Challenge-India aims to find and mainstream internationally proven building technologies that are energy-efficient, sustainable, and disaster-resistant to allow a radical transformation in affordable housing.
Key Features of GHTC (MoHUA Initiative)
- The GHTC (MoHUA initiative) was conceptualised after extensive talks with a wide range of stakeholders. It makes use of the scope and accomplishments of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and its technologies.
- Technological suppliers, researchers, start-ups, developers and academics will all be encouraged to participate in the GHTC-India, which will facilitate a technological shift in the affordable urban housing and construction sectors.
- New lighthouse projects will be created with these cutting-edge technologies in mind to establish a researched and developed environment.
- Its goal is to find the most cutting-edge construction technology in the world and put them to the test.
- It seeks to rapidly deliver, ready-to-live-in, low-cost housing that fulfils strict environmental, sociological, quality, and economic requirements with high-quality construction.
- This challenge aims to promote future prospective innovations via incubation assistance and accelerator workshops.
Light-house projects
Under the GHTC (MOHUA initiative), Light House Projects (LHPs) are being constructed at six places in the country, namely-
- Agartala (Tripura)
- Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
- Indore (Madhya Pradesh)
- Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
- Rajkot (Gujarat)
- Ranchi (Jharkhand)
These lighthouse projects are being built employing six different unique technologies that have been recognised as part of the GHTC (MoHUA initiative). These 6 cities will have LHPs made up of around 1,000 homes at each location, as well as a variety of supporting infrastructural amenities. In comparison to existing traditional methods of construction, the GHTC (MoHUA initiative) will produce ready-to-live residences in as little as 12 months.
Registration for GHTC-India Challenge
In order to facilitate the transfer of technology to the field, the housing ministry promotes LHPs as live laboratories, which may be used for a variety of tasks such as planning, design, manufacture of components, building practices, and testing.
- The Live Laboratories at the six LHP sites are open to faculties and students from IITs and NITs, engineering colleges, planning and architecture colleges, builders, academicians, engineers, and other stakeholders.
- These LHPs will be used as live laboratories to stimulate large-scale public engagement and generate technical knowledge for on-site learning, multi-stakeholder dialogue, to identify ideas for solutions, learning via experimentation and to foster innovation in the Indian context.
- Additionally, the MoHUA has begun offering a certificate programme in cutting-edge construction methods called NAVARITIH (New, Affordable, Validated, Research Innovation Technologies for Indian Housing).
Interested applicants may assist in adopting and implementing technology according to their needs in the construction business. The live laboratory module will also serve as a database, allowing interested applicants to be recruited throughout the year to participate in various events linked to the LightHouse Projects and the transmission of information about these projects.
The following three categories are open for submissions:
- Potential Future Technologies
- Grand Expo and Conference
- Proven Demonstrable Technologies
Simulations, prototypes, multimedia and poster displays, and presentations are available for participants to use and demonstrate their technologies and skills. For B2B contacts with global and Indian industry partners, the expo also renders a chance to explore new collaborations and sign agreements for work in India on housing and construction.
FAQs
Who is a GHTC Knowledge Partner (KP)?
The MoHUA has collaborated, advised, supported, and facilitated the conduct of GHTC-India through partnering with institutions of high reputation.
Who are the GHTC Associate Knowledge Partners (AKPs)?
The MoHUA has teamed with other reputable institutions to cooperate and assist with the GHTC challenge. These are: IIT - Bombay, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee NITs National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) International Finance Corporation-World Bank Group Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Bloomberg Philanthropies UN-Habitat