When the brightest minds meet with a shared purpose, extraordinary things happen. At Urbanova 25, the gathering of visionaries and changemakers ignited conversations around infrastructure, technology, and sustainability, pushing boundaries to build cities that thrive tomorrow.

Urbanova 25, held on February 21st at the Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, was a celebration of ideas and innovation, a confluence of visionaries, policymakers, and industry leaders determined to shape the future of urban development in India. The event began on a high note with an inaugural ceremony graced by Prasad Nair, CEO, I Tech Media; Radha Poptani, Director, I Tech Media; R. Ramana, Director (Planning & Real Estate Development / NFBR) at Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation; Rajender Singh, Founder Member of IUDI; Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor of NICMAR University; and Anil Wankhede, Deputy CEO of MHADA. Their presence set the stage for a day filled with powerful discussions, collaborative brainstorming, and game-changing insights.

The keynote address by R. Ramana, was nothing short of compelling. As the chief guest, Ramana shared his vast experience and expertise in executing mega infrastructure projects, focusing particularly on the procurement challenges in metro rail development. His words painted a vivid picture of the complexities involved in such massive undertakings, ranging from strategic planning and risk management to the necessity of seamless collaboration among multiple stakeholders. But it wasn’t just about the problems — Ramana offered solutions. He stressed the need for adopting advanced construction techniques and eco-friendly materials to minimise environmental impact, underscoring how technological innovation can improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. His vision for the future included robust real-time data systems for enhanced project management and decision-making, alongside a strong call for policy reforms and more flexible regulatory frameworks. His address set an ambitious and hopeful tone for the rest of the day’s discussions.

Following Ramana’s keynote, Anil Wankhede, took the stage with a heartfelt and deeply informative talk on Maharashtra’s housing landscape. Wankhede’s passion for urban renewal and his commitment to providing affordable housing were evident as he outlined MHADA’s critical role in slum rehabilitation and the development of public-private partnerships. He spoke candidly about the challenges of redeveloping old buildings and increasing housing stock, and how transparency and digital transformation are revolutionising the allocation of homes. Wankhede’s vision for the future was equally inspiring. Sustainable housing, green building practices, and the development of satellite townships to ease urban congestion and promote the walk-to-work culture.

Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, brought a more technical perspective to the event, discussing advancements in infrastructure procurement. Her speech bridged the gap between traditional and modern procurement methods, exploring models like EPC, PPP, and hybrid approaches. But what stood out was her emphasis on the transformative potential of digital solutions. From modular construction and Just-in-Time (JIT) strategies to the integration of AI, blockchain, and e-procurement systems, Dr. Kulkarni painted a future where technology drives efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in infrastructure development.

The audience was captivated when Rajender Singh, shared his vision for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Singh’s passion for sustainable urban planning was infectious as he described the importance of integrating public transportation with urban design to reduce congestion and improve environmental sustainability. Using global success stories like Singapore as a model, Singh stressed the need for multi-modal connectivity, affordable housing near transit nodes, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. His call for compact, transit-driven growth models offered a hopeful blueprint for India’s evolving urban landscape.

One of the most dynamic sessions of the day was the panel discussion on Smart City Development, moderated by Dr. Ravindra Utgikar, Vice President & Business Unit Head at Wilo India. This session brought together a diverse group of experts who assessed the progress and challenges of India’s Smart Cities Mission. Aditya Sharma from PwC shared eye-opening statistics, revealing that projects worth ₹1.64 lakh crore had been conceived, with ₹1.47 lakh crore already completed. He highlighted the transformative role of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs), which have revolutionised urban management through real-time data systems.

Adding a real-world perspective, Ashok Punjwani shared the incredible journey of Dholera SIR, India’s first high-tech smart city. His account of transforming barren land into a technologically advanced urban hub underscored the potential of digital governance frameworks like the ABCD model — Activation, Business, Citizen, and Development. Shailesh Pathak of Pureways Infra Pvt Ltd brought attention to the pressing issue of water management, reminding everyone that India generates 72,000 million litres of wastewater daily, with only 30% being treated. His call for integrating smart water management solutions and circular economy principles struck a chord with many in the audience.

As the conversation turned to sustainability, Sharma pointed out the deteriorating air quality in major cities due to unchecked urbanisation. At the same time, Pathak advocated for environmentally supportive infrastructure like smart grids and recycling initiatives. The panel’s collective call for extending smart city principles beyond urban hubs to rural development was a powerful reminder of the mission’s broader impact.

Another standout session was the discussion on Making Maharashtra Great with Sustainable Urban Development, moderated by Phani Prasad M of CRISIL. The panel featured industry heavyweights like Sameer Unhale, Vibhav Joshi, A H Khan, and Rahul Sharma, who tackled some of Maharashtra’s most pressing urbanisation challenges. Unhale’s vision for moving beyond the urban-rural divide focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, Joshi called for stronger governance and unified project management to overcome infrastructure delays. Rahul Sharma’s emphasis on transport infrastructure as a driver of economic competitiveness resonated strongly, and A H Khan’s call for collaborative governance and smarter urban planning rounded out a practical and visionary discussion.

Innovation took centre stage in the Advanced Technology Driving Infrastructure Development panel, led by Dr Yogini Deshpande of Renuka Consultants. The session explored groundbreaking materials and construction techniques that could revolutionise India’s infrastructure landscape. KRS Narayan from Reliance Industries introduced the audience to graphene-based concrete, which promises enhanced strength and lower environmental impact. He also shared insights on PET bottle recycling, demonstrating how shredded plastic can replace traditional aggregates in concrete, promoting sustainability.

Dr. Vishal Thombare from MCGM’s Coastal Road Department championed the use of thin and ultra-thin white topping pavements, a cost-effective and durable solution for road rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Prof. Dharamveer Singh from IIT Mumbai stressed the importance of recycling construction and demolition waste, advocating for quality control and capacity building to bridge the gap between research and implementation.

The discussion concluded with a Q&A session addressing concerns about cost-effectiveness, government acceptance, and updating outdated construction codes like IS 456 to incorporate modern materials and sustainability standards.

The day’s discussions culminated in a fireside chat on funding and investment strategies for future projects. Panellists RA Rajeev (IAS Retd), Director, Urban World Consulting (OPC) Pvt Ltd; and Ujwal Landge, Partner & CEO, EA Patil & Associates LLP highlighted the critical gap between the demand and availability of funds, stressing the need for innovative models like public-private partnerships (PPP), green bonds, and infrastructure funds. The discussion also covered the importance of prioritising projects based on long-term socio-economic benefits and ensuring timely execution to avoid cost overruns. The collaboration between government, private sector, and international stakeholders was seen as essential for sustainable infrastructure growth.

Individual presentations throughout the day added further depth to the dialogue. Each speaker brought valuable perspectives, from Rajiv Singal’s revolutionary precast technology and Pankaj Gonge’s solid waste management strategies to Dr. Ramnath Sonawane’s insights on smart city governance and Kiran Sawant’s expertise in advanced construction materials. Vaibhav Raje’s approach to managing urban green spaces and the practical solutions offered by industry experts like Raghunath Patil and M. Mahadev further enriched the conversation.

As the curtains fell on Urbanova 25, there was a palpable sense of optimism and purpose. The event created a collaborative space where ideas were exchanged, challenges were addressed, and innovative solutions were proposed. More than just a conference, Urbanova 25 was a call to action. A reminder that with collective effort, policy support, and technological innovation, India’s urban future can be sustainable, efficient, and vibrant. The conversations that began here will undoubtedly continue, shaping the cities of tomorrow and creating a legacy of thoughtful, inclusive development.

Quotes

R. Ramana, Director (Planning & Real Estate Dev / NFBR), Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation

“We must adopt eco-friendly construction practices to build infrastructure that serves future generations without compromising the environment. Sustainable development should be at the core of our planning and execution.”

Anil Wankhede, Deputy CEO, MHADA

“We believe housing development should go hand-in-hand with transportation planning. Building homes near major highways and transport hubs can foster a walk-to-work culture and improve residents’ quality of life.”

Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor, NICMAR University

“E-procurement simplifies and accelerates the entire procurement lifecycle. With digital platforms, we enhance transparency, efficiency, and collaboration, ultimately improving project outcomes and cost management.”

Rajender Singh, Founder Member, IUDI

“Walkability has been largely ignored in our urban development, and it’s time we bring it back. A city that prioritises pedestrians builds stronger communities and healthier environments.”

Dr. Ravindra Utgikar, Vice president & Business Unit Head, Wilo India

“Smart Cities are not just about technology; they are about creating livable, sustainable, and self-sufficient urban ecosystems that drive India’s growth.”

Aditya Sharma, Director, Cities & Urban Transformation, PwC

“Technology has been the biggest enabler of the Smart Cities Mission. From data-driven governance to real-time monitoring, we are seeing urban transformation like never before.”

Ashok Punjwani, VP-Sales & Marketing, Dholera SIR Project

“Dholera is India’s first high-tech smart city, built from scratch with the vision of a futuristic, fully integrated urban hub. What was once barren land is now a model for smart city development.”

Shailesh Pathak, Head – Urban Planning Division, Pureways Infra Pvt Ltd

“Water is the backbone of sustainable urban development. Without smart water management, a city cannot truly be called ‘smart’.”

Phani Prasad M, Associate Director, CRISIL

“Maharashtra’s ambitious goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy requires sustainable urban development. This is a crucial moment to align growth with environmental responsibility.”

Sameer Unhale, State Joint Commissioner, Urban Maharashtra

“We need to move out of the urban-rural dichotomy and focus on developing habitats with different characteristics. Sustainability is not about stopping change but reducing its negative impacts.”

Vibhav Joshi, COO, Padeco Co. Ltd

“Development cannot be sacrificed for environmental concerns, but a balance must exist. Funded projects often show better sustainability practices due to stricter oversight.”

A H Khan, President Operations, Kalpataru Projects

“The real challenge lies in our mindset. We need synergised governance and collective responsibility to solve urban issues and drive sustainable development.”

Rahul Sharma, EVP, Urban Spaces, Tata Projects:

“Transport infrastructure directly impacts economic growth and quality of life. Reducing logistics costs and enhancing connectivity will make Maharashtra a true engine of growth.”

Dr. Yogini Deshpande, Technical Director, Renuka Consultants

“Concrete is one of the most forgiving materials—it can accommodate all waste materials, from fly ash to plastic bottles. The challenge is research and the industry’s acceptance cost of new materials.”

KRS Narayan, Reliance Industries:

“India is the largest recycler of PET bottles, and Reliance alone recycles 75% of them. The challenge is utilising the remaining 25%. By integrating shredded PET into concrete, we can replace up to 40% of natural aggregates, reducing environmental impact while improving strength.”

Dr. Vishal Thombare, Costal Road Dept, MCGM

“Thin white topping pavements are a game-changer for Mumbai. They last 25 years, require less material, and eliminate pothole issues common with bituminous roads. Our vision is a pothole-free Mumbai.”

Prof. Dharamveer Singh, Professor, Dept of Civil Engg, IIT – Mumbai

“The biggest problem in construction is not material quality but knowledge transfer. Contractors and engineers need training to implement new technologies effectively. We must simplify QA/QC and ensure execution matches design.”

RA Rajeev (IAS Retd), Director, Urban World Consulting (OPC) Pvt Ltd

“Good infrastructure brings economic prosperity. It’s not the other way around. To avoid cost overruns and ensure timely completion, government projects must be executed with proper planning and efficiency.”

Ujwal Landge, Partner & CEO, EA Patil & Associates LLP

“The definition of return on investment for infrastructure must evolve. It’s not just about financial returns but about ecological impact, system efficiency, and economic development. Prioritising infrastructure projects based on these broader benefits will attract more investment.”

Dr. Ramnath Sonawane, Ex Commissioner KDMC & Ex CEO, Nagpur Smart City

“Urbanisation cannot be stopped but must be managed efficiently through better planning and resource utilisation.”

Pankaj Gonge, EE, SWM – Solid Waste Management, Z – III, B

“We must integrate recycling and reuse into our waste management systems because they are essential for building a sustainable and greener future. By adopting these practices, we can significantly reduce environmental pollution and conserve valuable resources.”

Rajiv Singal, Director, Plaksa Solutions

“Vibro cast is a machine, a technology for vibroforming small or specialised precast elements. These machines are designed to change from one element to another in less than 5 minutes.”

Raghunath Patil, Head Quality, Prism Johnson Limited, RMC Division

“Green concrete is an eco-friendly solution that reduces embodied carbon by over 50% by replacing ordinary Portland cement with pozzolanic materials, contributing to sustainable construction.”

Vaibhav Raje, Partner, Treecotech LLP

“We often think of infrastructure as concrete and steel, but the real backbone of a livable city is its green cover. Without trees, we lose not just shade but the soul of the city.”

Kiran Sawant, Head-Product Specialist, Pidilite Industries

“Waterproofing solutions shouldn’t be an afterthought. They should be part of the project right from the planning and design stage — not when construction is halfway through. That’s the practice we need to change.”

M. Mahadev, Chief, Transportation & Communication Division, MMRDA

“We are focused on creating fast, safe, and clean mobility solutions through our metro network expansion and road infrastructure projects like the Atal Setu and the Borivali-Thane twin tunnel. These initiatives will help reduce congestion, cut pollution, and drive the region’s GDP growth to $500 billion by 2031.”

Nikesh Pathare, Technical Consultant, Chetak Minerals

“The Indian paint industry faces a slowdown due to intensified competition, low-value product sales, and price cuts on raw materials. External factors like extended monsoons and general elections have also impacted demand.”