The construction industry is increasingly shifting its attention from building new infrastructure to preserving, strengthening and extending the life of the structures that already form the backbone of cities. Aging buildings, bridges, flyovers and other infrastructure assets face a range of challenges, from material deterioration and corrosion to changing usage requirements and increasing demands for safety and performance. In this context, structural rejuvenation is emerging as an important approach to creating safer, more durable and sustainable built environments.
Against this backdrop, NIRMAANA 2027, the biannual flagship International Conference organised by INSTRUCT, will focus on the theme “Rejuvenation of Structures”. The conference will be held on 7th and 8th January 2027 at the NIMHANS Convention Centre, Bengaluru, under the tagline “Preserving the Past, Strengthening the Present, Building a Resilient Future.” Its key focus areas are repairs, retrofitting and health monitoring systems.
Sustainability as a Core Consideration
The conversation around structural rehabilitation is also becoming increasingly connected with sustainability. Extending the operational life of an existing structure can help reduce the need for demolition and reconstruction, thereby reducing waste and consumption of resources.
NIRMAANA 2027 places emphasis on several interconnected aspects of rejuvenation, including:
- Energy performance
- Seismic resilience
- Occupant safety
- Preservation of cultural and architectural heritage
- Sustainable construction practices
- Reduction of construction and demolition waste
- Reduction in resource consumption
- Future-ready adaptability
This broader perspective is particularly significant for mature urban environments, where existing structures represent substantial investments in materials, labour and resources. Making these assets safer and more adaptable can contribute to a more resilient built environment.
Yes. Add this section after the introduction, before “Moving Beyond Demolition”:
Topics Being Covered
NIRMAANA 2027 will cover a broad range of technical and practical aspects related to the rejuvenation of existing structures. The conference will explore approaches for assessing, repairing, strengthening and monitoring structures, with discussions spanning buildings as well as bridges and flyovers.
Key topics being covered include:
- Repair and rehabilitation of existing structures
- Retrofitting and structural strengthening
- Structural health monitoring systems
- Rejuvenation of building structures
- Rejuvenation of bridges and flyovers
- Crack repair and crack injection techniques
- Concrete jacketing and strengthening methods
- Corrosion mitigation
- Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP)
- Advanced retrofitting techniques
- Smart materials and high-performance coatings
- Innovative structural systems
- Improving structural durability and safety
- Restoring load-bearing capacity
- Seismic resilience of existing structures
- Energy performance and sustainability
- Preservation of cultural and architectural heritage
- Reduction of construction and demolition waste
- Reduction of resource consumption
- Future-ready adaptability of existing infrastructure
The conference will also provide opportunities for participants to exchange technologies, innovations, case studies, practical experiences and structural repair solutions, creating a common platform for professionals involved in the assessment, rehabilitation and long-term performance of existing infrastructure.
Buildings, Bridges and Flyovers in Focus
NIRMAANA 2027 will address two major areas of structural rejuvenation: building structures and bridges and flyovers. Both categories present complex challenges because deterioration can occur due to age, environmental exposure, loading conditions, material degradation and other factors.
The conference will provide a platform for professionals to discuss technologies, innovations, practical experiences and approaches related to these challenges.
The programme brings together experts from leading academic institutions, government organisations and the private sector. The listed Chief Guest is Er. T S Gururaj, Chairman & Managing Director, INNOTECH ENGINEERING & CONSULT PVT LTD, Bengaluru. Other invited speakers include Dr. Venkatesh Kodur of Michigan State University, Prof. Ananth Ramaswamy of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Er. Rajkumar Kacharla, Partner at Dhrumataru Consultants and CEO of CEM QC Labs Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad.
For the rejuvenation of bridges and flyovers, the conference lists experts including Er. Pradeep Garg, Chief Engineer, CPWD and Chairman of the Indian Concrete Institute; Dr. Vedhus Hoskere of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Prof. Charanita Kishen JM of the Indian Institute of Science; Dr. Harshavardhan Subbarao of Construma Consultancy Pvt. Ltd.; and Prof. Vasant Matsagar of IIT Delhi.
Bringing the Construction Community Together
A major strength of a conference focused on structural rejuvenation is the opportunity to bring together professionals who approach the built environment from different perspectives. NIRMAANA 2027 is expected to provide a common platform for:
- Structural engineers
- Civil engineers
- Architects
- Consultants
- Contractors
- Government engineers
- Infrastructure professionals
- Researchers and academicians
- Construction industry specialists
- Students and young professionals
The conference identifies technology, innovation, knowledge, networking, case studies, showcases and interaction among its key benefits. Such interaction can help bridge the gap between research, technology development and field-level implementation.
The event is also supported by several professional organisations, including the Indian Concrete Institute – Bengaluru Centre, Structural Engineers World Congress (India) – Bengaluru Centre, Professional Civil Engineers Consortium, Builders Association of India, Construction Chemicals Manufacturers’ Association and Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India).
A Platform for Knowledge and Industry Exchange
Beyond the technical sessions, NIRMAANA 2027 is structured to provide opportunities for industry participation through sponsorships, exhibition stalls, advertisements and professional networking. This creates space for organisations involved in construction materials, repair technologies, structural assessment, strengthening systems and related services to showcase their capabilities.
The conference also reflects the long-standing role of INSTRUCT in professional development. The organisation describes itself as a not-for-profit institute serving the construction industry for more than 35 years. Established in 1989, its objectives have included upgrading craftsmen skills, updating engineers on the latest technology and providing quality training to construction professionals. INSTRUCT states that it has trained more than 35,000 personnel through over 1,500 training programmes.
Building for the Future by Strengthening What Already Exists
The future of infrastructure will depend not only on the construction of new assets but also on how effectively existing structures are maintained, strengthened and adapted. Structural rejuvenation offers an opportunity to preserve valuable assets while improving their safety, durability and resilience.
By bringing together experienced engineers, academics, consultants, government professionals, contractors and industry specialists, NIRMAANA 2027 aims to advance the discussion around practical and innovative approaches to structural rejuvenation.
With “Rejuvenation of Structures” as its central theme, the conference provides a timely platform to explore how repairs, retrofitting and health monitoring systems can contribute to safer and more sustainable infrastructure. Its underlying message is clear: preserving existing structures is not merely about extending their physical life; it is about strengthening the foundation on which the future of the built environment will be built.
