Manasvini Hariharan On How Urban Land Institute India Is Shaping Conversations Around The Future Of Indian Cities

As Indian cities continue to face challenges around rapid urbanisation, infrastructure, climate resilience, and sustainable growth, collaborative dialogue between policymakers and industry stakeholders is becoming increasingly important. Since launching in 2023, Urban Land Institute India has emerged as a growing platform bringing together developers, investors, planners, architects, academics, and government leaders to shape conversations around the future of Indian cities.

In this interaction, Manasvini Hariharan shares insights into ULI India’s initiatives, district councils, and implementation-led urban projects. Manasvini Hariharan is an urban strategist and the Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) India. With a multidisciplinary background as an urbanist, she has spent her career working at the intersection of architecture, urban planning, and public policy across diverse global markets, including India, South Korea, and France. Prior to leading ULI India’s initiatives and expanding its national footprint, she advised public institutions on city-level planning and research strategies.

Q. What are some of the key initiatives launched by ULI India since entering India?

ULI India has focused on creating platforms that encourage industry engagement, leadership dialogue, and practical urban learning. One of its major initiatives has been the launch of the Office Council in 2024, a closed-door forum that brings together senior real estate and business leaders for discussions around the future of office spaces and workplace trends.

The organisation also introduced Urban Agenda in collaboration with The Quorum, an open platform for discussions around urban development, infrastructure, and real estate. Sessions so far have explored themes such as adaptive reuse and metro infrastructure.

In 2025, ULI India launched ULI India Conversations, a government-focused initiative designed to facilitate open and solution-oriented discussions between policymakers and industry stakeholders under Chatham House rules.

Another important initiative has been UrbanPlan, a hands-on learning program introduced in Delhi NCR that simulates real-world urban decision-making and helps participants understand the balance between business priorities, public needs, and long-term community value.

Q. What tangible impact has the Delhi NCR District Council created so far?

One of the most notable outcomes has been the creation of ULI India Conversations in collaboration with the Delhi NCR District Council. The initiative has enabled direct engagement between senior government officials and industry leaders, with sessions featuring Srinivas Katikithala and Anna Roy.

The Delhi NCR District Council has also been leading The Lighthouse Project, which focuses on climate resilience and urban water management. The initiative aims to address growing water stress and urban flooding concerns by bringing together developers, technical experts, and public stakeholders to explore integrated water management strategies.

Q. What is the Gurugram Lighthouse Project and what role does ULI India play in it?

The Gurugram Lighthouse Project was launched as an implementation-focused initiative to demonstrate how high-growth urban corridors can become more resource-efficient and climate-responsive.

Using Gurugram as a live development context, the project focuses on practical solutions around water management, rainfall control, urban flooding mitigation, and reducing dependence on external water resources.

ULI India acts as a neutral catalyst and knowledge platform by bringing together developers, consultants, and technical experts. The organisation also helps identify pilot opportunities where ideas can be tested in real-world projects while leveraging ULI’s global knowledge network to support scalable urban solutions.

Q. What can the built environment sector expect from ULI India over the next few years?

Over the next 12–24 months, ULI India plans to focus more deeply on implementation-led engagement and structured collaboration with government stakeholders.

The organisation is also expanding its footprint with upcoming district councils in Mumbai and Bengaluru, which will enable more city-specific discussions and initiatives tailored to local urban challenges and opportunities.

According to Hariharan, the broader goal is to move beyond dialogue and create clearer pathways for industry participation in shaping more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Indian cities.