ULI India Launches Education Portfolio for Urban Leaders

Urban Land Institute India (ULI India), the Indian chapter of the world’s oldest and largest cross-disciplinary network of land use and real estate experts, has announced the launch of its dedicated Education Portfolio—a strategic initiative aimed at closing the industry-academia gap in India’s built environment sector.

Globally, ULI has long played a pivotal role in connecting academia with industry to nurture job-ready graduates equipped to address real-world urban challenges. Its education-focused initiatives include the globally acclaimed ULI Hines Student Competition, case study programs, internships, mentorship opportunities, UrbanPlan workshops, and on-demand learning modules through its Knowledge Finder platform.

With India’s cities facing rapid urbanisation, climate pressures, housing challenges, and the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure, ULI India’s Education Portfolio seeks to prepare a new generation of urban leaders—urban planners, architects, designers, developers and entrepreneurs—capable of building inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.

The initiative will foster collaboration between leading universities, industry practitioners, and corporate partners, ensuring curriculum relevance, practical exposure, and skill alignment with evolving market demands.

The Education Portfolio is led by Education Co-Chairs Chhavi Lal, Principal at Perkins Eastman, and Manas Rath, Founder of LEAP Cities and Mumbai Donut CoLAB, with the support of ULI India’s National Executive Committee. Their leadership aims to align India’s educational initiatives with global best practices while addressing the country’s unique urban realities.

ULI India is currently engaging with premier institutions across major urban centres including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai—key hubs driving India’s urban growth. These cities will anchor the organisation’s efforts to nurture future-ready professionals in urban development and real estate.

Speaking on the initiative, Education Co-Chair Manas Rath said, “The Education Portfolio is designed to build a network of professionals equipped to address India’s urban challenges—from decarbonisation and housing attainability to sustainable urban design.” Chhavi Lal added, “Our goal is to build capacity across students, professionals and government stakeholders, strengthening local expertise while leveraging global perspectives.”

Ahead of the ULI India Annual Conference 2026, scheduled for 26 February 2026 in Mumbai, ULI India will host a full-day education programme on 24 February 2026. The programme will feature an UrbanPlan workshop and a closed-door Education Roundtable with senior representatives from leading institutions, including RICS School of Built Environment, Amity University, CEPT University, Sir JJ College of Architecture and NICMAR, alongside ULI members and industry practitioners.

Discussions will centre on strengthening internships, promoting case-based learning, enhancing curriculum relevance, and improving student readiness for professional practice.

Manasvini Hariharan, Executive Director of ULI India, stated, “Education is a mission priority because this is where the capability gap is most evident. India requires stronger platforms for knowledge exchange, hands-on training, and leadership development to address the scale and complexity of its urban transformation.”

The conference will also feature a Projects Showcase, presenting 12 transformative urban developments from across India. Led by ULI’s Founding Partners and Annual Sponsors, the showcase will highlight best practices in design excellence, sustainability and measurable urban impact. These projects will serve as valuable learning resources for students, educators and practitioners, offering real-world insights into the future of India’s built environment.