18th – 19th September: Neha Lal Participates in the International Conference on “Care, Value, Place” to build place-based design frameworks for tackling ecological and social challenges.
The conference, curated by renowed design expert John Thackara, addressed the intertwined challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss by moving beyond discussion to focus on actionable solutions. Bringing together a diverse cohort of scholars, industry leaders, and impact creators, including Siddharth Hande, CEO of Kabadiwalla Connect; Mr. P. Sainath of the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI); Swati Janu of the Social Design Collaborative; Dr. V. M. Chariar from IIT Delhi; and Andrea Siodmok from RMIT, the event integrated climate action and biodiversity preservation into the everyday life of communities and industries. Through thought-provoking talks and collaborative working groups, participants co-developed practical frameworks for initiatives like urban ecological restoration, sustainable food systems, natural farming, and new livelihood opportunities. By fostering active collaboration across academia, industry, and social innovators, the conference created tangible, community-focused solutions that can now be implemented in real-world settings. It also featured a showcase area where participants presented their work to leading figures, building connections and opportunities for impactful partnerships. With contributions from these and other experts, the conference served as a fertile ground for bridging research and practice, aiming for lasting, positive change.
26th September: Eco-City Regions team supporting Tamil Nadu’s initiative to mitigate risks in hill region development.
Thriving Eco-City Regions team members are supporting Tamil Nadu’s proactive initiative to mitigate environmental risks from rapid urban development in sensitive hill regions like Kodaikanal, the Nilgiris, and Yercaud. Three working groups have been established, each focusing on Geological Hazards, Climate and Meteorological Risks, and Urban Planning in Hill Regions. Raj Bhagat P. is a member of all three, with Rejeet heading urban planning efforts. The first meeting was held in Chennai, followed by a second meeting.[NL1]
In collaboration with the Geological Survey of India, Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency, State Disaster Management Authority, India Meteorological Department, and DTCP: Hill Area Conservation Authority, along with institutions like IIHS and the National Geophysical Research Institute, the committee aims to deliver a report recommending strategies for sustainable and resilient development in Tamil Nadu’s hill regions.
October 28th:ECR Team members participate in TERI’s roundtable discussion of urban action beyond Smart City Mission
As part of Urban October month aimed at creating dialogue across diverse range of stakeholders in driving a better urban future, ECR team member Neha Lal was part of an interactive roundtable session at TERI at IHC, New Delhi. The Brainstorming session on "Beyond Smart Cities: India’s way forward in transforming cities” was held on Monday, 28th October. Through a mix of interactive activities, the diverse set of participants and students from TERI University discussed and ideated on what could be India’s urban future moving forward as the Smart City Mission comes to an end.
November 13th: Lauch of first edition of the WRI India Newsletter
The first edition of the WRI India LinkedIn newsletter has been launched, bringing curated insights, blogs, and videos directly to your feed every month. This edition covers a range of topics, including the role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in advancing India’s transition to electric buses, strategies for designing urban spaces that prioritize people, and an in-depth look at post-harvest losses in perishable crops. Additionally, it features a selection of book recommendations aimed at young children. The newsletter aims to provide thought-provoking content on pressing issues in sustainability and development.
Read more here: For People, Nature & Climate.