The second edition of Urban Adda 2026, a three-day conference focused on the future of sustainable and equitable cities, will be held from October 5 to 7, 2026, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Hosted by the Raahgiri Foundation and co-hosted by Gurujal and International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) India, the conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, urban practitioners, artists, businesses, young people and citizens to discuss how cities can become healthier, more inclusive, accessible and liveable.
Under the overarching theme “Co-creating Sustainable and Equitable Cities Together,” Urban Adda 2026 seeks to move beyond conventional discussions on urban development by creating a platform for dialogue, collaboration and collective action. The programme will examine the relationship between urban infrastructure, human well-being, mobility, nature, governance and the everyday experience of living in cities.
A key focus of this year’s edition is the participation of Walk21 and the Walking Cities Lab, which will contribute to the Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue as part of a global programme examining the future of walking under the UN Decade of Action for Sustainable Transport.
Three Days, Three Perspectives on Urban Futures
The conference is structured around three thematic days that approach urban transformation from different perspectives.
Day 1: Srishti & Space – Our Cities, Our Habitats
The opening day, October 5, will focus on the physical spaces and environments in which people live. Discussions will explore ways of reimagining urban corridors, improving air quality, restoring water networks and creating spaces where people and nature can coexist.
The programme will include dialogues, workshops, panels and an exhibition, while the evening programme will bring together poetry and film to explore the emotional and cultural dimensions of people’s relationship with place.
Day 2: Sahyog & Synergy – Shared Will to Shared Accountability
On October 6, the focus will shift from physical infrastructure to the systems and partnerships that shape cities. The day’s discussions will examine how citizens, policymakers and institutions can work together to bridge the gap between public aspirations, policy and implementation.
The programme aims to explore mechanisms for stronger partnerships and shared accountability, with particular attention to transforming collective intent into practical urban governance.
Day 3: Kadam & Canopy – The Freedom to Explore
The concluding day, October 7, will focus on the freedom to move through cities safely, comfortably and independently. In partnership with Walk21, the Walking Cities Lab and VREF, the day will form part of the Walk21 Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue.
The discussions will examine how walking can contribute to inclusive, healthy, accessible and sustainable cities, while exploring the policy and design interventions required to translate ambitions for walkable cities into practical action.
The programme will also introduce Walking Cities Lab activities in Asia-Pacific, building momentum towards the planned launch of the WCL Living Lab in Ahmedabad in December 2026 and the development of a wider regional knowledge and practice community around walking.
A Cross-disciplinary Platform for Urban Dialogue
Urban Adda 2026 will feature thematic sessions, partner-hosted workshops, abstract presentations and expert-led neighbourhood walks. Topics will include sustainable mobility, road safety, gender-inclusive design, clean air, water security, waste management, electric vehicles, heritage and urban ecology.
The conference will also maintain a strong emphasis on youth participation and community voices, building on the Youth Adda platform initiated in the previous edition. Creative programmes, including a live interactive art exhibition, poetry and the second Urban Adda Film Festival, will complement the technical and policy discussions.
The organisers expect the conference to generate tangible outcomes through campaign launches, reports and commitments involving government, academic, corporate and community partners.
At its core, Urban Adda 2026 presents urban development as a shared responsibility. Rather than viewing cities only through the lens of infrastructure and growth, the conference places people, mobility, nature, public space and collective action at the centre of the urban conversation.
Event Details
Event: Urban Adda 2026
Theme: Co-creating Sustainable and Equitable Cities Together
Dates: October 5–7, 2026
Venue: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
Host: Raahgiri Foundation
Co-hosts: Gurujal and ICCT India
Knowledge Partner: National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
Media Partner: Hindustan Times
In collaboration with: Walk21 and Walk21 Regional Dialogues
Venue Address:
India Habitat Centre (IHC), Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003, India.
Registration: Interested participants can register through the official Urban Adda platform.
Also Read: One-Day Seminar for Young Planners to Address Key Urban Challenges in New Delhi
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