National Urban Conclave Concludes with Insights for Building Inclusive and Resilient Cities
Shri Tokhan Sahu, the Honorable Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, concluded the National Urban Conclave 2025 today at the Yashobhoomi India International Convention Centre in New Delhi. The second day of the conclave focused on strategies to advance the vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, emphasizing urban governance, circular economy, and the housing ecosystem. Key discussions highlighted innovative approaches to urban management and the importance of sustainable housing solutions.
Key Themes of the Conclave
The National Urban Conclave 2025 centered around three pivotal themes: urban governance, circular economy, and the housing ecosystem. During the session on urban governance, experts explored institutional innovations necessary for effective and future-ready urban management. They discussed how these innovations could enhance the responsiveness and efficiency of urban governance structures. The circular economy session focused on transforming waste into valuable resources, emphasizing the need for coherent policies that promote sustainability. Participants examined various strategies to scale circular practices across urban settings. In the housing ecosystem discussions, the emphasis was on developing policy frameworks that expand affordable housing options while aligning them with livelihood opportunities and necessary infrastructure.
Launches and Announcements
During the valedictory session, Minister Sahu announced several significant initiatives. One of the key highlights was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and various institutions, including the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Osmania University. This MoU aims to enhance resource material development and address training and research needs within the urban sector across states and Union Territories. Additionally, the IIRS Sankalan App was launched to streamline urban surveys through GIS-based planning, allowing for on-site editing and geo-tagging to improve data accuracy and reliability. Another notable announcement was the establishment of the Centre for Public Policy on Habitat and Housing at the National Institute of Urban Affairs in Delhi, which will focus on promoting research and policy support for affordable housing in urban India.
Future Directions and Expert Insights
Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, shared insights on the Prime Minister’s vision of developing 50 global cities in India. He emphasized the importance of a structured challenge framework to achieve this goal and announced that India will host the BRICS Urban Forum and the Urban Tech Expo in April 2026, reinforcing India’s commitment to global urban leadership. In his address, Prof. S. Mahendra Dev, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, urged delegates to view urbanization as a key economic strategy. He called for integrated urban planning and the adoption of sustainable practices to foster national growth and inclusion.
Commitment to Sustainable Urban Development
In his closing remarks, Minister Sahu reiterated the commitment to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, highlighting a shift from poverty alleviation to empowerment and entrepreneurship. He stressed the need for collaboration among the Centre, states, urban local bodies, and the private sector to sustain this transformation. To address solid waste management challenges in hill and Himalayan cities, he announced the launch of a ₹1,000 crore Hill and Himalayan Cities Focused Fund under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. The outcomes from the conclave are expected to provide actionable insights for India’s roadmap toward building inclusive, resilient, and well-governed urban environments.
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