- Three-day workshop at IIT Gandhinagar brings together policymakers, planners, engineers, researchers and urban practitioners to rethink how Indian cities prepare for climate shocks
- Backed by Gujarat Urban Development Institute, the programme focuses on urban resilience strategies for extreme weather, disaster risk reduction, sustainable infrastructure and adaptive planning
- Experts call for climate resilience to move from policy rhetoric to the core of urban planning as cities face mounting risks from heat stress, flooding, air pollution and rapid growth
- Sessions span climate-responsive planning, governance, resilient mobility, nature-based solutions, air-quality management and technology-driven systems for future-ready cities
- With site visits, technical deliberations and cross-sector dialogue, the workshop aims to turn research, planning and public policy into actionable resilience frameworks for India’s urban century
NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, JUNE 25
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar’s Dr Kiran C Patel Centre for Sustainable Development (KPCSD) inaugurated a three-day workshop on “Urban Resilience Strategies: Planning for Climate Change and Extreme Events” on June 23, 2026. The workshop, supported by Gujarat Urban Development Institute (GUDI) is being held from June 23-25, 2026, and brings together policymakers, urban planners, engineers, architects, researchers, development professionals and students to discuss strategies for creating resilient, sustainable and inclusive urban environments.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr I P Gautam, IAS (Retd.), Director General, Gujarat Urban Development Institute (GUDI). The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the presence of Prof Vimal Mishra, Dean, Research and Development and Professor, Civil Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar; Prof R N Singh, distinguished geophysicist and Visiting Professor, Earth Sciences, IITGN; and Prof Sharad K Jain, Visiting Professor, Civil Engineering, IITGN.Speaking at the inaugural session Dr Gautam emphasised the need for proactive urban planning, institutional collaboration, and long-term resilience measures to help cities address the growing risks posed by climate change and extreme weather events.
“Climate change and extreme weather events are no longer distant challenges; they are realities that cities must confront today. Building urban resilience requires integrated planning, strong institutions, sustainable infrastructure, and active community participation. We need to focus not only on responding to disasters but on building cities that are ready, adaptive and resilient for the future,” he said.
He further added that his experience in public administration and urban development has reinforced the importance of proactive planning, institutional preparedness, and community engagement in addressing the ever-growing challenges of climate change and extreme weather events.
Addressing the participants, Dr Vijay Anadkat, Senior Fellow, WRI, said, “Gujarat is at a defining moment in its urban development journey. The next few years are crucial for scaling up climate-resilient urban systems as large investments are being made in smart city and climate resilience projects. As cities continue to grow and attract people seeking opportunities and better services, sustainability can no longer be treated as a separate agenda. It needs to be mainstreamed in all aspects of urban planning, infrastructure development, and service delivery. Investments in flood management, urban forests, rejuvenation of water bodies, sustainable infrastructure, efficient public transport and technology-enabled governance systems would be required to build resilient cities.”
Welcoming the participants, Prof Sameer Patel, Co-Coordinator, Dr Kiran C Patel Centre for Sustainable Development, IITGN, highlighted the importance of building climate-resilient cities.
Prof Vimal Mishra, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Gandhinagar, in his special address to the participants stressed the need to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy action in tackling urban climate challenges. “Cities are growing fast as centres of economic activity and opportunity, but they are also becoming more vulnerable to climate risks like heatwaves, flooding and extreme weather events. Urban resilience is not only about responding to disasters; it is about ensuring sustainable development and the continued functioning of cities in the face of increasing challenges.” he said.
Prof R N Singh, who was also present during the inaugural session, stressed the need to take a systems approach towards urban development and sustainability.
The workshop is being organised by the KPCSD at IIT Gandhinagar to enable dialogue and knowledge exchange on emerging challenges and opportunities in urban resilience. Participants are engaging in technical sessions, site visits, and interactive discussions on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, resilient infrastructure, sustainable urban systems, governance mechanisms and nature-based solutions.
Experts from academia, government agencies, and urban development bodies are sharing insights on climate-responsive planning, sustainable infrastructure, air quality management, spatial planning frameworks and urban resilience strategies, all part of the programme. Participants will also go on a campus tour to get an insight into the sustainability initiatives and planning practices adopted at IIT Gandhinagar campus, undertake visit to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation BRTS control room to understand the infrastructure and dashboard, and a visit to AI Resilience and Command Centre at IITGN Research Park
As cities worldwide face growing risks from climate change, extreme weather and environmental challenges, the workshop will aim to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations and open pathways for practical, forward-thinking solutions for urban areas. The workshop will end on June 25, 2026 with discussions on climate adaptation, air pollution mitigation, urban planning structures and techniques for enhancing the resilience of Indian cities.
