Shape the Cities of Tomorrow: Urban Policy School

A 3-Day Immersive Learning Experience in Urban Governance, Mobility & Policy at Kochi

Program Description:

Urbanization is reshaping our cities at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and complex challenges. From mobility bottlenecks to governance gaps, sustainable urban planning is the key to creating livable, efficient, and inclusive spaces. The Urban Policy School is brought to you by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a leading think tank with over two decades of experience in urban research, policy analysis, and advocacy. With a strong track record of shaping urban mobility, governance, and planning frameworks, our experts have worked closely with governments, city planners, and policymakers to drive meaningful change.

 

This bootcamp is an extension of our commitment to fostering innovative, data-driven, and people-centric urban solutions. Join us to gain insights from professionals who have spent years at the forefront of urban transformation and policy reform.

 

The Urban Policy School is a one-of-a-kind Urban Studies Certificate Program in India designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate urban challenges. Through expert-led sessions, interactive activities, and real-world case studies, this program will provide a practitioner’s perspective on urban governance, mobility, and policy interventions. Whether you’re a student, policymaker, or urban enthusiast, this bootcamp will empower you to think critically, innovate, and contribute to building better cities for the future.

 

➣  Duration: 3 Days 

➣  Date: May 23 – 25, 2025

➣  Location: Kochi, Kerala

➣  Mode: In-Person

➣  Eligibility: Students, Early-Career Professionals, Policymakers

 

 

 

 Why Join? 

The future of our cities depends on YOU!

🔹 Gain hands-on experience solving real urban challenges

🔹 Learn from urban policy experts and city planners

🔹 Work on live projects & urban mapping activities

🔹 Build connections with professionals in governance & urban mobility

🔹 Receive a Certificate of Participation

🔹 A Program Backed by 20+ Years of Urban Research & Advocacy

🔹 Learn at Kochi, a city in transition that serves as a living urban laboratory, offering you firsthand exposure to the complexities of urban growth, governance, and mobility

 

 

 

Program Outcomes

🔸Develop a strong foundational understanding of urbanisation, governance, and mobility in the Indian and global context.

🔸Identify the key stakeholders, regulatory frameworks, and institutional structures governing urban spaces.

🔸Gain industry insights and  hands-on experience in designing solutions for urban challenges through interactive sessions with urban policy professionals and experts

🔸Work in teams to analyze real-world urban issues and propose feasible policy solutions.

🔸Develop critical thinking skills to analyze urban issues.

 

 

 

What is Covered 

▪️Your double sharing room Accommodation from May 23rd 11 AM till May 25th 6 PM

▪️All meals and refreshments(including breakfast, tea & snacks, dinner) from May 23rd morning till May 25th evening

▪️Full participation in all sessions, expert interactions, and activity materials

NB: If you need accommodation a day in advance or after the specified dates, we can make the reservations, but you will have to bear the expenses.

 

 

 

Who Should Apply?

✅ Students who finished their Under graduation in any discipline

✅ Young Professionals 🎓

✅ Urban Planners & Architects 🏙️

✅ Policy & Governance Enthusiasts 🏛️

✅ Anyone passionate about urban governance, mobility, policy or sustainable cities 🌍

 

 

If you have any queries, Please write to academy@cppr.in
Or contact us at +91 97457 09174

 

Reserve Your Seat at the Urban Policy School

Session
DAY 1

1: Demystifying Urban Concepts

  • What makes a city "urban"?
  • What drives urbanisation in India and the Global South?
  • What are the key terms, trends, and terminologies every urban practitioner should know?
  • How do urbanisation and governance intersect?
  • What does it really mean to plan a city?
  • Introduction to urban systems: Housing, transport, water, land.
  • The politics and economics of urbanisation: Who gains, who loses?
  • Growth vs Livability: Can cities be both?

  • Get an insider’s view of how cities transform through stories and case studies from the Chennai Smart City Mission, shared by someone who was part of the change.
2: Understanding Urban Governance: Frameworks, Institutions & Challenges
  • A breakdown of the constitutional and legal provisions governing cities, including the 74th Constitutional Amendment, urban subjects in the State List, and evolving central schemes.
  • A close look at the roles and overlaps across Centre, State, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in planning, financing, and implementing urban development.
  • Key urban institutions like Smart City SPVs, Development Authorities, Urban Planning Boards and their roles & challenges.
  • An exploration of governance challenges: coordination failures, fragmented mandates, financial constraints, and political-economy dynamics.

  • Participant Toolkit: A quick reference sheet of Articles, Schemes & Acts discussed in the session will be provided to the participants.
3: Overnight Activity: Urban Challenge Simulation
4: Dinner Talk with Cochi Smart City Mission Limited (CSML) on Kochi’s Urban Challenges
DAY 2

1: Demystifying Urban Mobility
  • Understanding Mobility Beyond Transportation: Breaking down the broader concept of mobility, beyond just transport systems, highlighting its importance for city planning, economic development, and inclusivity.
  • Legal Foundation of Urban Mobility in India: Acts, Rules & Regulations
  • Explore various modes of urban mobility, such as public transport (buses, metros, trams, trams, cable-cars, etc), non-motorised transport (cycling, walking), and emerging solutions (e-scooters, car-sharing, ride-hailing).
  • Real-world challenges cities face in urban mobility planning such as congestion, environmental concerns, accessibility, and equity.
  • Urban Mobility Planning Framework: Explanation of frameworks & policies used to design and implement urban mobility strategies, focusing on factors like population density, land use, and transport demand.
  • Integrating Mobility with Urban Development: How mobility solutions must align with other aspects of urban development, such as housing, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
  • What to expect in the next 50 Years in the Urban Mobility Spectrum!
2: Financing Our Cities: Understanding Urban Finance Through Real-World Cases
  • Breakdown of Urban Finance & Key Terminologies
  • Importance of Financial Planning in Cities and Challenges.
  • Breakdown of Urban Expenditure
  • Role of State and Central Governments in Urban Financing.
3: Activity: Urban Challenge Simulation - Presentation
4: Dinner Talk on Mobility & Metro
DAY 3

1: Talk on Mobility & Gender
2: Discussion: Demystifying the role of Chennai Unified Metropolitan Authority (CUMTA) in Chennai City and sharing expert experience working in CUMTA
3: Live Activity: Urban Mapping

Course Price

Rs 15,000 + GST