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Urban Adda 2025 — GuruJal
Urban Adda 2025
3rd–5th June 2025  ·  India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

Cities for
People, Not
Cars

A three-day conference co-creating sustainable, equitable and resilient cities — blending policy dialogue, creative expression, and youth engagement, from World Bicycle Day to World Environment Day.

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Dates
3–5 Jun 2025
Venue
India Habitat Centre
Duration
3-Day Conclave
Edition
Inaugural Edition
Event Overview

Urban Adda 2025 —
Reimagining the
Cities We Deserve

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Days
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Speakers
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Cyclists
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Daily Themes

Urban Adda 2025 was conceived as a three-day national conference bringing together the most interesting ideas and successful demonstrations of work on sustainable and equitable cities. Held from 3rd to 5th June 2025 — from World Bicycle Day to World Environment Day — at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The conclave was organised by the Raahgiri Foundation, in partnership with the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and GuruJal, with support from Nagarro.

Path-breaking in its format, Urban Adda blended rigorous policy dialogue with creative expression, youth engagement, and cross-sectoral collaboration — uniting policymakers, activists, youth, and citizens to imagine cities that are walkable, breathable, equitable, and vibrant.

The inaugural edition was launched by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, with the participation of Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta and other senior dignitaries.

Collaboration & Partnership

Organisers & Partners

Context & Purpose

Why Urban Adda
Was Needed

India stands at a critical juncture in its urban journey. As the population surges towards 1.7 billion by 2047 — with over 50% living in cities — the urgency to shape sustainable, equitable, and resilient urban spaces has never been greater.

As cities expand at an unprecedented pace, so do the challenges of urban living — congestion, pollution, water stress, and inequity. Urban Adda was created as a space to confront these openly and co-create solutions:

  • Reclaim the urban commons and restore joy in city living
  • Bring policymakers, activists, youth, and citizens into one shared space
  • Bridge rigorous policy dialogue with creative and grassroots expression
  • Champion walkability, clean air, road safety, and active mobility
  • Place water security and climate resilience at the heart of urban planning
What We Set Out To Do

Objectives of the Event

Urban Adda 2025 was designed around clear objectives guiding the programme, the daily themes, and the format of each session.

01

Reframe cities around people — prioritising walkability, cycling, and active mobility over car-centric design.

02

Place water security and climate resilience at the centre of the urban planning conversation.

03

Empower young people through Youth Adda to shape and lead urban transformation.

04

Blend policy dialogue with creative expression — film, art, and public exhibits.

05

Foster cross-sectoral collaboration across government, civil society, and citizens.

06

Turn awareness into action — moving from conversation to tangible, equitable urban solutions.

Three Days, Three Themes

Programme & Daily Themes

Day 1 · 3rd June · World Bicycle Day
Gati & Grace — Mobility, Art & Access for All

The conclave opened on World Bicycle Day with a Cyclothon of over 100 cyclists and the inaugural address by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, who called cycling the "solution to pollution." The day celebrated active mobility, public art, and equitable access to city streets.

Day 2 · 4th June · Youth & Cinema
Youth Adda & Urban Adda Film Festival

Day two centred young changemakers through Youth Adda — a forum empowering students and youth to shape urban transformation. The evening featured the Urban Adda Film Festival (UAFF-25), screening short films on climate resilience and urban innovation, followed by a Gala Night.

Day 3 · 5th June · World Environment Day
Imagining Water Secure & Climate Resilient Cities

The final day, anchored by GuruJal, placed the spotlight on India's urban water emergency. The panel "Imagining Water Secure Cities" and the closing session on "Ecological Solutions for Climate Resilient Cities" brought together voices from governance, community action, and corporate innovation.

Voices & Dignitaries

Voices at Urban Adda 2025

View All Speakers
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Minister
Youth Affairs & Sports, GoI
Smt. Rekha Gupta
Smt. Rekha Gupta
Chief Minister
Government of Delhi
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh
Transport Minister
Government of Delhi
Shri Rao Narbir Singh
Shri Rao Narbir Singh
Cabinet Minister
Government of Haryana
Shri Rajyavardhan Rathore
Shri Rajyavardhan Rathore
Minister
Government of Rajasthan
Ms. Pooja Bedi
Ms. Pooja Bedi
Actor & Changemaker
Film Festival Gala Night

Urban Adda 2025 featured over 100 speakers across 30 sessions. Above are the key ministerial and celebrity voices — explore the complete speaker lineup on the official event site.

Learnings from the Floor

Key Insights & Learnings

01
Design Cities for People, Not Cars

A fundamental question drove the dialogue: what would cities look like if designed for people instead of cars? Speakers pushed a vision of human-centric cities — where walkability, cycling, and safe streets are the default, not the exception.

02
Water Security Is an Urban Emergency

The "Imagining Water Secure Cities" panel made it clear that a day without water is a harsh reality for millions. As cities expand, water can no longer be an afterthought — it must be designed into urban planning from the start.

03
Youth and Creativity Drive Change

Urban Adda proved that policy alone does not move cities — young voices, film, and public art do too. By blending Youth Adda, a film festival, and creative exhibits with formal dialogue, the event turned awareness into shared momentum.

What the Event Achieved

Outcomes & Next Steps

Active Mobility on the Agenda
A Cyclothon of 100+ riders and a ministerial call for cycling reinforced active mobility as central to healthy, low-pollution cities.
Urban Water Crisis Spotlighted
The "Imagining Water Secure Cities" panel placed India's urban water emergency firmly in the national urban-planning conversation.
Youth Voices Amplified
Youth Adda created a dedicated platform for young people to shape and lead conversations on the future of their cities.
Cinema as a Climate Tool
The Urban Adda Film Festival showcased short films on climate resilience, proving creative media's power to shift public mindset.
Cross-Sector Dialogue Strengthened
Government, civil society, corporates, and citizens shared one platform — building momentum for continued collaboration.
A Movement, Not Just an Event
Urban Adda established itself as a recurring movement to reclaim the urban commons and restore joy in city living.
Be Part of the Journey

Who Should Engage

Urban Adda brings together a deliberately diverse community — because building liveable cities demands it.

Policymakers & Government
Officials and institutions shaping urban policy, mobility, and water governance across cities.
Urban Planners & Architects
Professionals designing the streets, transit systems, and public spaces of tomorrow's cities.
Youth & Students
Young changemakers ready to shape, question, and lead the urban transformation agenda.
Researchers & Academia
Institutions working on mobility, climate, water, and the science of liveable cities.
Civil Society & Citizens
NGOs, active citizens, and community groups working to reclaim the urban commons.
Artists & Storytellers
Filmmakers, artists, and creators using culture to reimagine the cities we live in.
Continue the Journey

The Cities We Deserve Are
Ours to Build

Urban Adda 2025 reaffirmed that sustainable cities are not a distant ideal — they are built through dialogue, youth energy, creative expression, and the everyday choices of citizens.

To explore collaboration opportunities or future editions of Urban Adda, connect with us at management@gurujal.org

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