#IMPRI Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS), IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, invites you to #WebPolicyLearning
Urban Policy & City Planning – Cohort 4.0
An Online National Autumn School Program
A Six-Week Immersive Online Certificate Training Course
Details of the #WebPolicyLearning:
Dates: Sept (5, 12, 19, 26), Oct (3 & 10), 2026
Consecutive Saturday Evenings
Time: 4 – 6 p.m. IST
Platform: Zoom
Course Fee (INR) (incl GST): For Professionals: 2999 | For Students: 1999
IMPRI Alumni can avail benefits through the IMPRI Referral Policy for Alumni & Friends. Bulk Discounts can be availed for groups of more than 5 participants.
Limited seats are eligible for a partial scholarship opportunity. Write to: learningatimpri@gmail.com
Payment Link: https://rzp.io/rzp/coursefeesimpri
Alternatively, can use any payment method from here:
https://www.impriindia.com/payment-details/
NOTE: Please don’t proceed to pay without filling out the registration form given above.
About
India’s rapid urbanization is reshaping the country’s economic, social, and environmental landscape. As cities emerge as engines of growth and innovation, they also face pressing challenges such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, climate risks, waste management, and growing socio-economic inequalities. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires integrated urban planning, effective governance, evidence-based policymaking, and inclusive development strategies that create cities which are sustainable, resilient, and equitable for all.
This program explores the intersection of urban development, planning, governance, and public policy, examining how institutions, financing, infrastructure, climate resilience, housing, mobility, and citizen participation shape the future of cities. Through expert-led discussions and contemporary case studies, participants will gain insights into the principles and practices of sustainable urban development, the evolving policy landscape, and innovative approaches to building inclusive, liveable, and climate-resilient cities. By fostering informed dialogue and multidisciplinary perspectives, the program equips participants to better understand India’s urban transformation and contribute to creating cities that are people-centric, environmentally sustainable, and economically vibrant.
For Whom
This programme is designed for students, researchers, urban planners, architects, policymakers, government officials, development and NGO professionals, academicians, and individuals interested in urban planning, governance, infrastructure, housing, sustainability, and public policy. It is ideal for anyone seeking to understand the opportunities and challenges of urban development and the evolving urban policy landscape in India.
Benefits of this Course
Participants would:
• Learn from globally and nationally renowned thematic experts and practitioners
• Gain first-hand insights and networking opportunities
• Get course outline and reading list from the experts for learning
• Get access to session videos for 15 days
• Receive a certificate of completion
• Have the opportunity to publish their essays on the IMPRI Insights Blog, which features the articles of eminent people from around the globe.
Upon successful completion of the program, each participant will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
Program Experts
Prof Chetan Vaidya, Independent Urban Advisor; Former Director, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), New Delhi; Independent Director, GIFT City; Visiting Distinguished Fellow, IMPRI
Ar Romi Khosla, Distinguished Architect, Researcher and Writer; Director, Romi Khosla Design Studios
Prof Irudaya S Rajan, Chair, The International Institute of Migration and Development; Visiting Professor, IMPRI
Prof Amita Bhide, Professor and Dean, School of Habitat Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai; Visiting Professor, IMPRI
Prof Shyamala Mani, Senior Advisor, WASH and Waste Management, CEH, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI); Former Professor, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), New Delhi; Visiting Professor, IMPRI
Mr Sandeep Chachra, Executive Director, ActionAid Association, India, and Ex Co-Chair, World Urban Campaign, UN-HABITAT; Advisor, IMPRI
Dr Ravikant Joshi, Advisor, Urban Management Centre, Ahmedabad and Former Chief Accounts Officer, Vadodara Municipal Corporation; Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI
Mr Sameer Unhale, Joint Commissioner, Department of Municipal Administration, Government of Maharashtra; Urban Practitioner; Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI
Dr Akshaya K Sen, General Manager (Economics), Housing & Urban Development Corporation Ltd. (HUDCO)
Mr Srinivas Alavilli, Fellow, Integrated Transport and Road Safety, World Resources Institute (WRI) India; Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI
Ms Vanessa Peter, Founder, Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities (IRCDUC), Chennai; Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI
Dr Soumyadip Chattopadhyay, Associate Professor, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan; Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI
Prof Vibhuti Patel, Visiting Distinguished Professor, IMPRI
Session Details
| Topic | Name |
| Urban Planning for Economic Development | Prof Chetan Vaidya |
| Implementing People-Centric Urban Governance on the Ground | Mr Sameer Unhale |
| Planning Cities That Care: Uniting Design, Ecology, and Social Justice | Architect Romi Khosla |
| Reclaiming Streets: Sustainable and Equitable Urban Mobility for All | Mr Srinivas Alavilli |
| Innovative Urban Financing for Inclusive Infrastructure and Services | Dr Ravikant Joshi |
| Affordable Housing for All: Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Access | Dr Akshaya K. Sen |
| Reimagining Urban Spaces: Gender-Responsive Policies for Safer, Inclusive Cities | Prof Vibhuti Patel |
| Migration, Urban Informality, and Rights of the Mobile Poor | Prof Irudaya S. Rajan |
| Building Urban Resilience to Climate Change: A People-First Approach | Dr Rumi Aijaz |
| Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Waste Management for Resilient Cities | Prof Shyamala Mani |
| Reimagining Urban Futures: Towards Democratic, Just, and Equitable Cities | Prof Amita Bhide |
| Imperatives for Financial Empowermemt of Indian Cities: Constraints and Pathways | Dr Soumyadip Chattopadhyay |
Previous Similar Programs
Urban Policy and City Planning– Cohort 3.0 Theme: People-Centric Cities | August 2025
Urban Policy and City Planning– Cohort 2.0 Theme: Towards Viksit Bharat- Developed India@2047 | July 2024
Urban Policy and City Planning | July 2023
Making Indian Cities Disaster and Climate Change Resilient: Towards Responsive and Actionable Urban Planning, Policy and Development | May 2022
Disaster Resilient Housing and Built Environment: Imperatives for Better Policy, Planning and Sustainable Cities | December 2022
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For queries, write to: learningatimpri@gmail.com
Urban Policy & City Planning – Cohort 4.0 | A Six-Week Immersive Online Certificate Training Course | Sept-Oct 2026 | IMPRI #WebPolicyLearning
Organizer
IMPRI, a startup research think tank, is a platform for pro-active, independent, non-partisan and policy-based research. It contributes to debates and deliberations for action-based solutions to a host of strategic issues. IMPRI is committed to democracy, mobilization and community building.