New Delhi, July 02, 2025: The Development Alternatives Group, along with its partners, hosted the Alt Urban Global Summit 2025 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, civil society actors, urban development experts, and industry leaders to explore climate-resilient and inclusive urban growth strategies.
The summit supports the group’s mission to enable one million green homes by 2030 under its flagship Alt Urban programme. The event served as a platform for showcasing policy insights, replicable models, and innovations within the urban built environment, with a particular focus on affordable green housing and low-carbon development.
The day began with the Leaders’ Forum for Urban Transformation, which featured expert discussions on sustainable housing, decarbonisation of construction, and policy frameworks for circular urban development. Speakers included Dr. Shailesh Agarwal (BMTPC, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs), Dr. Bhaskar Natrajan (AEEE), Mr. Sanjay Seth (TERI & GRIHA Council), Dr. Priyanka Kochhar (The Habitat Emprise), Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer (International Cooperative Alliance – Asia-Pacific), and Dr. Soumen Maity (TARA), with moderation by Mr. Rajiv Tikoo (Sustainability Karma). 
The summit also hosted the Alt Urban Sustainable Housing Challenge—a national design competition that aimed to identify innovative housing solutions. Eco Dwell Design Lab emerged as the winner, with the event also featuring a short film on the challenge and the release of the publication “Journey of the Alt Urban Housing Challenge.”
“In line with the 2030 Agenda and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, India is advancing inclusive, climate-resilient housing at scale and pace. The UN in India is proud to be partnering with the Government, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders to foster inclusive, resilient and greener urban futures. The Development Alternatives Alt Urban campaign and its platform, Trialogue 2047, could not be more timely, uniting diverse voices to reimagine India’s cities,” said Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India.
Mr. Shrashtant Patara, CEO, Development Alternatives, added, “India’s urban transition is a historic opportunity to build cities that are inclusive, resilient, and regenerative—not just for some, but for all. Through the Alt Urban campaign and trialogue 2047, Development Alternatives and its partners are proud to convene change makers at the Alt Urban Global Summit to co-create pathways for cities that work for both people and the planet. The future of urban India must be locally driven, globally connected, and fundamentally just.”
The 28th edition of Trialogue 2047, titled “Shaping Green Urban Futures,” focused on long-term urban transformation strategies and included the launch of a publication of the same name. The session featured contributions from Ms. Shikha Shrivastava (TATA Trusts), Mr. Sarath Babu MG (NIUA), and Ms. Umit Bhatia (JLL Asia-Pacific), moderated by Mr. Patara.
The summit concluded with a call for collaborative governance, people-centric design, and climate innovation to reimagine urban development aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 goals.
The event was supported by a broad coalition of partners, including Dhun Life, Socrates Foundation, BMTPC, GRIHA Council, SPARC, IFC, Climate Rise Alliance, Build Ahead, UofT India Foundation, International Cooperative Alliance – Asia Pacific, and TheCSRUniverse.
x
 and Co-Founder Infosys and Kumari Shibulal, Founder and Chairperson, SFPI..jpg)
