On 08 Nov 2025, the National Urban Conclave 2025, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has drawn a clear roadmap to the building of inclusive, resilient, and well-governed cities under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The two-day conclave, inaugurated and closed by Shri Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, brought together policymakers, urban experts, researchers, and thought leaders to deliberate on the future of urban development in India. The various sessions addressed urban governance, circular economy and housing ecosystem, whereby each was able to contribute actionable insights for the shaping of tomorrow’s cities.
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Vision for Urban India: Viksit Bharat 2047-
With his farewell address, Shri Tokhan Sahu threw light on transforming urban India into an incubator for multi-dimensional inclusive growth and innovation through government vision. The valedictorian stated: “Our vision of Viksit Bharat is of an India where every urban citizen- be it a street vendor, waste manager, construction worker, or gig worker- becomes a dignified partner in the nation’s development.” This holds testimony to the larger government pledge of moving from a poverty alleviation model to an empowerment and entrepreneurship approach wherein every urban worker becomes a key stakeholder in India’s growth story.
Key Themes of the National Urban Conclave 2025-
Urban Governance: Toward Future-Ready Cities:
Institutional reforms in data-driven citizen participation and digital governance must include arguments made by experts.
Key takeaways:
- Greater fiscal and administrative autonomy will strengthen urban local bodies (ULBs).
- Smart governance tools will facilitate real-time monitoring of services.
- Promote inter-agency coordination to overcome fragmentation within urban management.
Circular Economy: Waste to Wealth:
The circular economy session pointed to the need to transform waste streams into resources. Experts explored means to:
- Encourage waste separation, recycling, and reuse from the source level.
- Enhance green entrepreneurship and startups in the chain of waste management.
- Create policy frameworks that promote the scaling of circularity in cities, working through integrated models.
Housing Ecosystem: Affordable and Sustainable Living:
Promoting affordable housing supply in alignment with livelihood opportunities was the main theme in discussions around the housing ecosystem. Important points were:
- Further strengthening of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) so that it can meet the growing housing needs.
- Integrate livelihood opportunities and infrastructure development within housing projects.
- Promote green housing along with low-carbon transition materials and sustainable construction practices.
Major Announcements and Launches-
During the valedictory session, several major announcements were set forth in terms of launching major initiatives, driving urban transformation in India.
Hill and Himalayan Cities Focused Fund:
To facilitate the speedy management of solid waste in hill cities and Himalayan cities, Shri Tokhan Sahu has launched a Hill and Himalayan Cities Focused Fund with an allocation of ₹1,000 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban 2.0.
The purpose of the fund is to tackle the peculiar ecological and logistical challenges of these areas while promoting sustainable waste management, resource recovery, and a clean urban environment.
Exchange of MoU for Urban Sector Capacity Building:
The MOU was exchanged between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Osmania University, IIPA, and AIILSG for the objective of developing resource materials, training, and research activities in urban governance, planning, and management.
The expected outcome is improved capacity development for states and union territories to manage rapid urbanisation more effectively.
Launch of IIRS Sankalan App:
Urban surveys and planning purposes have been revolutionised by the launch of the IIRS Sankalan App. Some of its salient features are discussed below:
- GIS planning for smart and efficient urban management.
- On-field editing and geo-tagging allow real-time confirmation of data.
- Shortening survey timelines will greatly improve the reliability of data for both policy and program decisions.
Launch of Centre for Public Policy on Habitat and Housing (NIUA):
A new Centre for Public Policy on Habitat and Housing has been inaugurated at the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), Delhi.
The focus of the Centre will be on:
- Promoting research as well as advocacy for inclusive and affordable housing.
- Supporting policy formulation and data-oriented planning.
- Building knowledge partnerships to address the challenge of urban housing.
Remarks by Key Leaders-
Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA:
The Secretary reiterated India’s ambition to develop 50 global cities through a challenge framework that is structured to ensure innovation and urban design, and governance excellence.
Also, it was declared that:
- India will be the host of the BRICS Urban Forum in April 2026.
- India will organise Urban Tech Expo 2026 to introduce itself as an urban leader in innovation and technology.
Prof. S. Mahendra Dev, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the PM:
While addressing his consideration, Prof. Dev urged the policymakers to view urbanisation as an economic strategy rather than a demographic change.
He stressed that:
- Plans for urbanisation must be integrated across sectors, rather than fragmented.
- Encourage adoption of low-carbon mobility systems and circular economy models.
- Redefine ‘urban’ in the modern context by real-time data analytics institutions to align for better policy-making.
Outcomes of the Conclave-
The National Urban Conclave 2025 will serve as the launchpad for the next phase of urban transformation in India.
Some of its key results are:
- A roadmap to make inclusive, resilient, and future-ready cities. An emphasis has been placed on waste management and the circular economy.
- Integration of national urban policies concerning affordable housing, urban innovation, and citizen empowerment.
- The strengthening of state and city-level capacity through partnerships with academia and research bodies.
The actionable insights from the conclave will render their guidance towards the urban development agenda of India in the direction of Viksit Bharat 2047, an urban India that is inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive.
Conclusion-
The National Urban Conclave 2025 is set to mark an important occasion that propels India toward Viksit Bharat 2047. With this convergence of governance, technology, and sustainability, the initiative reaffirms the commitment of the government to transform cities into inclusive, resilient, and state-of-the-art developments. Initiatives like the launch of the Hill and Himalayan Cities Fund of ₹1,000 crores, the IIRS Sankalan App, and the Centre for Public Policy on Habitat and Housing establish a clearly defined strategy — that of placing urban citizens as partners in progress and cities as catalysts for national growth.