* Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, GoI, will spotlight youth-led change and sustainable urban futures.
* Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, will deliver a keynote on prioritizing people-centric planning in urban development.
* Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Hon’ble Transport Minister of Delhi, to share insights on inclusive mobility.
* Shri Rao Narbir Singh, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Haryana, will speak on electric vehicles, water conservation, urban transport, and street design.
* Shri Rajyavardhan Rathore, Hon’ble Minister, Government of Rajasthan, to speak on culture and community in city-making.
* Actor Pooja Bedi will add cultural vibrance and star presence to the dialogue.
* Archana Verma IAS, Mission Director National Water Mission will speak on importance of water conservation
Press Release | New Delhi, India — The Raahgiri Foundation, in partnership with International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and GuruJal, and supported by Nagarro, proudly announces the inaugural Urban Adda 2025- a three-day conference scheduled from June 3 (World Bicycle Day) to June 5 (World Environment Day) at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
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. Urban Adda 2025 is path-breaking in its format and focus—it blends rigorous policy dialogue with creative expression, youth engagement, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
This conference will bring changemakers, thought leaders, and active citizens together to celebrate and co-create solutions sustainable, inclusive, and equitable cities where walkability, clean air, road safety, equity, and opportunity are central.
The speakers will include Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports; Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi; Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Government of Delhi; Shri Rao Narbir Singh, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Government of Haryana; and Shri Rajyavardhan Rathore, Hon’ble Minister, Government of Rajasthan.
Thought leaders such as Prof. Geetam Tiwari (IIT-Delhi), Dr. Sujit Bajpayee (MOEFCC), Mr. Rajesh Verma (CAQM), and Ms. Kalpana Viswanath (Safetipin), among many others, will also participate. Creative talents like RJ Sarthak Kaushik and artist Sagar Singh will also contribute to the cultural vitality of the event.
The conference will feature:
- Thematic sessions on climate resilient cities, gender and mobility, accessible cities, waste management, sustainable mobility, clean transport, clean air and water secure cities
- Youth Adda – a dedicated youth forum that will empower youth to co-create the effect on their future cities.
- Interactive art installations mixing with poster and abstract displays curated by artist Sagar Singh.
- The Urban Adda Film Festival (UAFF-25) explores themes of nature and climate resilience in urban spaces, fighting urban pollution, and stories that explore great ideas, find solutions, and inspire change.
- Cyclothon with 100+ cyclists in New Delhi on World Cycling Day
Sharing her thoughts on the occasion, Sarika Panda Bhatt, Co-Founder and Trustee of the Raahgiri Foundation and Director, Nagarro said, “With Urban Adda, we wish to paint a picture of the cities we all deserve – vibrant, safe, breathable, resilient, full of human connection. These cities aren’t a distant dream, they can be here and now, we just want to show whats possible when we put people and nature in the foreground of our narrative.”
Amit Bhatt, India Managing Director, ICCT added, “Clean transport is necessary to build cities that breathe, thrive, and survive. Vehicular emissions are among the biggest threats to urban health and climate stability. If we’re serious about sustainable cities, the transition to zero-emission mobility is important.”
Adding her thoughts, Shubhi Kesarwani, Founder & CEO, GuruJal, said, “A day without water isn’t just hard to imagine- it’s a harsh reality for millions. At Urban Adda, we’re turning awareness into action, building cities where every drop is valued, and clean water is a right, not a privilege.”
Manas Human, Co-Founder & CEO, Nagarro, commented, “We at Nagarro believe in the power of human ingenuity to solve complex challenges. Nagarro is proud to support Urban Adda as it creates a space for these essential connections and conversations, paving the way for more liveable and intelligent city ecosystems. Engaging communities and technology is the first step towards meaningful change.”
More details on the themes for each day:-
Day 1 | 3rd June, 2025| Gati & Grace (Mobility, Art & Access for All)
Kicking off with a Cyclothon on World Bicycle Day, the day explores urban mobility through the lens of access and dignity. Interactive installations and sessions with a youth focus set the tone for inclusive city-building.
Day 2 |4th June, 2025| Samadhan & Spark (Solutions, Creativity & Change)
With focused discussions on key urban challenges—waste, gender, transport, climate, and culture—this day emphasizes creative solutions and culminates in the much-anticipated Urban Adda Film Festival (UAFF-25).
Urban Adda Film Festival – June 4, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Stein Auditorium, IHC
Curated by Chandramouli Basu of Indigo Creative, UAFF-25 invites filmmakers to submit short films (under 5 minutes, fiction or non-fiction) on nature and climate resilience in urban settings. Actor and influencer Pooja Bedi will present awards at the gala night. The evening will include film screenings, a changemaker dialogue, and close with a Gala Dinner featuring performances and networking with global delegates.
Day 3 |5th June, 2025 | Kal ki Soch, Aaj ka Sankalp (Vision and Commitment for Tomorrow)
Aligned with World Environment Day, the final day calls for a collective Commitment to Act. With cross-sector collaboration—from scientists and urban planners to artists and policymakers—the focus shifts from ideation to implementation.
Art, Youth, and Inclusivity at the Heart
Led by artist Sagar Singh, the Central Atrium will host an interactive public exhibit from June 2–8, blending posters, installations, and live art. Dance and movement activities will be integrated throughout sessions to embody the vision of active, creative public spaces.
Urban Adda 2025 aligns with SDG 11 and explores interlinkages across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, anchoring the event in global advocacy and action.
Join us in this cause by registering here for free: https://www.urbanadda.org/
