About the Event
Urban Adda is a vibrant 3-day conference celebrating World Bicycle Day to World Environment Day — a gathering of changemakers, experts, artists, policymakers, youth, and civil society working toward building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities.
With themes rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 11), Urban Adda goes beyond lectures. It is a creative confluence of ideas and actions — combining panels, performances, installations, youth engagement, and even a film festival to explore the future of urban life in India.
What to Expect
– Creative interventions through live art, music, movement, and poetry
– A Youth Adda spotlighting the voices and visions of young changemakers
– The inaugural Urban Adda Film Festival (UAFF) showcasing short films on climate and city life
– Public art exhibitions, Cyclothon, and thematic plenaries
– A unique space for collaboration between government, civil society, academia, corporates, and citizens
Themes Across 3 Days
Day 1: Gati & Grace – Mobility, Art & Access for All
We begin with the spirit of World Bicycle Day, setting the tone with a high-energy Cyclothon that embodies Gati (motion). As the day unfolds, Grace takes form through live art installations and interactive sessions focused on making urban movement — cycling, walking, transit — safe, inclusive, and dignified for all. With a strong youth lens, this day is about co-creating cities that move with empathy and accessibility.
Day 2: Samadhan & Spark – Solutions, Creativity & Change
Diving deeper into urban challenges, Day 2 focuses on climate, gender, waste, clean transport, and cultural expression. Through powerful conversations and performances, we seek Samadhan (solutions) and celebrate the Spark of creative change. With art, films, and dynamic sessions, this day transforms data into action and dialogue into inspiration — paving the way for cities that are not just sustainable, but joyful and equitable.
Day 3: Kal ki Soch, Aaj ka Sankalp – Vision and Commitment for Tomorrow
On World Environment Day, we shift from dreaming to doing. Day 3 invites policymakers, artists, researchers, and citizens to unite around the vision of climate-resilient cities — tackling pollution, water security, clean air, and ecological design. With a focus on action and commitment, we come together to reimagine urban futures and take collective Sankalp (pledge) to shape what our cities can truly become.
FILM FESTIVAL June 4th, 2025
On the evening of Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 (Day 2 of Urban Adda), from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, the Stein Auditorium at the India Habitat Centre will come alive with the inaugural Urban Adda Film Festival (UAFF). Curated by Chandramouli Basu at Indigo Creative, the festival will commence with a deep-dive discussion. Noted filmmakers and changemakers will explore the power of cinema, reflecting on impactful films that have the potential to spark thought, ignite action, and drive progress.
The UAFF extends an open invitation to both emerging and seasoned filmmakers to share their vision through short films (under 5 minutes, factual or fiction). We seek creative explorations of nature and climate resilience within our urban landscapes – narratives that champion natural forests and wild spaces in cities and confront the problem of urban pollution. We’re looking to celebrate innovative ideas, uncover solutions, and ultimately, inspire profound change. Our call for entries will be announced shortly on our website along with the rules for the competition.
Along with initial jury selections, the shortlisted films will be screened along with films from the non-competitive section. The evening culminates in an awards ceremony where renowned actress and influencer Pooja Bedi will present the accolades for Best Film and Runner-up.
Immediately after the Film Festival, the Raahgiri Foundation cordially invites all conference partners and participants to a Gala Dinner. We anticipate an evening of stimulating conversations, music, and performances, all sparked by the intellectual and artistic energy generated throughout the day’s events
