By Jayesh Rathod, Director and Co-founder, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory
In the age of digital transformation, the real estate sector is now centred around leveraging data to redefine the landscape. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are leading this transformation. GIS is a powerful tool that reshapes our understanding of landscapes, infrastructure, and urban planning by capturing, storing, and displaying vast amounts of geographical and spatial data. This technology enhances how we visualise, analyse, and interpret data tied to specific locations, making it indispensable for managing complex geographies and decision-making in today’s rapidly urbanising world. According to a report by Markets and Markets, the global GIS market size is projected to reach USD 14.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2020. In India, this technology is rapidly being adopted, with government initiatives like Bhu-Aadhaar aiming to map more than 85% of India’s land area by the end of 2025.
Traditional vs. modern approaches
Traditionally, the real estate sector relied on manual processes, such as spreadsheets and paper records, to manage properties and perform market analysis. These outdated methods, while once effective, are no longer sufficient in the face of rapid urbanisation and the need for precise, data-driven insights. GIS technology provides a more advanced alternative by offering comprehensive data on infrastructure, demographics, and geographic trends. This shift toward sophisticated technology allows real estate professionals to make well-informed decisions that keep pace with the growing complexities of urban development and expansion.
Regulatory changes and technological integration
As the importance of GIS in real estate continues to grow, regulatory frameworks are evolving to reflect its significance. In 2024, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi mandated the geotagging of properties, underscoring the increasing role of technology in property management and governance. This regulatory shift was bolstered by the Union Budget’s initiative to digitise urban land records using GIS technology, marking a significant leap toward modernising land management practices across the country. These changes demonstrate a clear alignment between technological advancements and the government’s commitment to improving efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in real estate. The Union governmet’s National Geospatial Policy 2022 seeks to encourage greater integraton of GIS in urban planning and real estate. By 2026, India aims to have a geospatial data infrastructure that supports multiple sectors, including real estate and urban development.
Operational improvements
GIS technology is revolutionising operational efficiency in property management by allowing managers to track assets, monitor infrastructure, and optimise maintenance schedules with heightened precision. The technology enables proactive management by predicting potential issues before they escalate, thereby minimising operational downtime and enhancing tenant satisfaction. Timely and efficient services, supported by GIS insights, ensure that tenant needs are met promptly. Additionally, GIS facilitates targeted marketing campaigns and service improvements through location-specific data, allowing real estate professionals to cater more effectively to their audiences’ needs.
Market analysis and investment
Developers and investors increasingly turn to GIS technology to identify ideal locations for new real estate projects. By combining demographic data, market trends, and geographical factors, GIS offers unmatched accuracy in market segmentation, ensuring that projects are launched in locations with the highest potential for success. Technology also plays a pivotal role in analysing how infrastructural developments or changes in neighbourhood dynamics impact property values. Investors benefit from real-time data, which provides crucial insights into market conditions, enabling them to make informed decisions about where and when to invest, with the potential to maximise returns. In 2023, Indian real estate investment touched USD 7 billion, with a significant portion attributed to data-driven decision-making powered by GIS.
Future prospects with advanced technologies
The future of GIS in real estate looks even more promising with the integration of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These innovations are expected to further revolutionise the sector by enhancing predictive maintenance capabilities, enabling real estate managers to anticipate property needs and address them proactively. AI-driven analytics will also offer more accurate market predictions, providing deeper insights for investors seeking to optimise their portfolios. In addition, the potential integration of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) into GIS systems could transform property marketing and management. Immersive virtual tours and real-time maintenance support would elevate the buyer experience and streamline property operations.
GIS is reshaping the home-buying process, fundamentally transforming the entire landscape of property management across India. With initiatives like Bhu-Aadhaar driving the digitisation of property records, GIS is making real estate transactions more transparent, efficient, and secure. The role of GIS in ensuring accurate land records and reducing the risk of fraud is setting new standards in the industry. As this technology continues to evolve, the real estate sector will experience even more profound changes, from smarter urban planning to improved governance of land resources. GIS, spearheaded by innovations like Bhu-Aadhaar, is setting new benchmarks for property transactions and management, pointing towards a future where data-driven insights and cutting-edge technology ensure more reliable, efficient, and customer-friendly real estate decisions.