Chandigarh University hosts ‘Urban Symphony 2026’; Global experts chart roadmap for future-ready India
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), March 31, 2026: Chandigarh University hosted the two-day ‘Urban Symphony 2026’, bringing together global experts, policymakers, academicians and industry leaders to deliberate on innovative strategies for building a future-ready India by 2047.
The event featured the ‘Global Summit: Future Ready India@2047’ and a roundtable conference, focusing on sustainable urban development, resilient infrastructure and forward-looking policy frameworks. Renowned architects, urban planners and researchers from across the world participated in discussions aimed at shaping inclusive and adaptive urban ecosystems.
Among the key speakers were Dr. Namrata Kalsi, Chief Architect at Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Limited, Dr. Shikha Jain of DRONAH, entrepreneur Vartika Divecha, and international experts from Poland and Italy, along with leading Indian academicians.
Vice Chancellor Raviraja N. Sitaram said the summit created a vital platform for global collaboration on urban challenges, enabling dialogue on sustainable planning, sensitive development and resilient city systems. He added that the roundtable discussions acted as a bridge between academic research and practical implementation, offering actionable insights for future urban policies.
A key highlight was the ‘Urban Edge Initiative’, where students from the University Institute of Architecture presented research projects on the transformation along the NH-05 and Bharatmala corridor, examining changing regional dynamics and mobility patterns.
The conference concluded with a consensus on the need for comprehensive impact assessment as an essential component of all development programmes to ensure sustainable and inclusive urban growth.
On the sidelines of the event, the university also signed an MoU with the Network of People of Construction (NPC) to enhance industry-academia collaboration through internships, skill development programmes and expert-led workshops.
Speaking on urban transport challenges, Dr. Namrata Kalsi emphasised that metro projects today go beyond infrastructure and require strong coordination among multiple city agencies for successful execution.
The deliberations and outcomes of ‘Urban Symphony 2026’ are expected to contribute to ongoing policy debates and provide direction for future urban planning in India.