Urban Land Institute India Launches Education Portfolio to Bridge Industry–Academia Gap
The initiative is spearheaded by Education Co-Chairs Chhavi Lal, Principal at Perkins Eastman, and Manas Rath, Founder of LEAP Cities and Mumbai Donut CoLAB, with support from ULI India’s National Executive Committee.
New Delhi: The Urban Land Institute India (ULI India) has launched its Education portfolio, a set of strategic initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between academia, industry and the future of urban development in India.
ULI India, the India chapter of the nearly 100-year-old global non-profit network of land use experts, said the initiative is designed to foster collaboration between leading educational institutions, industry professionals and corporate partners. The objective is to empower the next generation of urban planners, architects, designers and entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills required to build sustainable and inclusive cities.
Globally, ULI has played an active role in bringing academia and industry together through initiatives such as the ULI Hines Student Competition, case studies, internships, mentorship programmes, UrbanPlan and on-demand learning courses.
In the Indian context, the Education portfolio will focus on preparing young leaders to address rapid urbanisation, environmental pressures and the need for sustainable infrastructure. The organisation is already in discussions with institutions in key urban centres including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai, which will serve as focal points for its engagement.
The initiative is spearheaded by Education Co-Chairs Chhavi Lal, Principal at Perkins Eastman, and Manas Rath, Founder of LEAP Cities and Mumbai Donut CoLAB, with support from ULI India’s National Executive Committee.
Manas Rath said the Education portfolio aims to build a network of professionals capable of addressing challenges ranging from decarbonisation and housing attainability to sustainable urban design. Chhavi Lal added that the initiatives seek to build capacity across students, professionals and government stakeholders, while drawing on global perspectives.
In the run-up to the ULI India Annual Conference 2026 on February 26 in Mumbai, the organisation will host a full-day education programme on February 24. The programme will feature UrbanPlan and a closed-door Education Roundtable with senior representatives from institutions including RICS School of Built Environment, Amity University, CEPT University, Sir JJ College of Architecture and NICMAR, alongside ULI members and practitioners.
The discussions will focus on strengthening industry–academia collaboration through internships, case-based learning, curriculum relevance and improving student readiness for professional practice.
Manasvini Hariharan, Executive Director of ULI India, said education has been identified as a mission priority due to visible capability gaps in India’s urban ecosystem. She noted that stronger platforms for knowledge exchange, practical training and leadership development are essential to meet the scale and complexity of the country’s urban transition.
The conference will also feature a Projects Showcase presenting 12 transformative urban projects from across India, led by ULI’s Founding Partners and Annual Sponsors. The showcase is expected to provide real-world insights into design, sustainability and urban impact for students, educators and professionals.
Founded in 1936, the Urban Land Institute is a global, member-led, multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to shaping the future of the built environment. ULI India, now in its fourth year since launching in 2023, has built a community of around 200 members across developers, investors, policymakers, architects, planners and academics, providing a high-trust platform for dialogue and knowledge-sharing on the future of Indian cities.
