Bengaluru/Bhubaneswar, Nov 27: Odisha showcased its ambitious vision for building future-ready, sustainable, and citizen-centric cities at the Urban Policy Dialogues 2025, organized by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements in Bengaluru, officials said on Thursday.

Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, participated as a panelist in the session titled “Addressing Urban India’s Brewing Stranded Asset Crisis.”

Highlighting the urgency of resilient urban planning, Padhee stressed that cities must evolve beyond physical infrastructure to become ecosystems of people, aspirations, and opportunities. She emphasized that urban investments should be future-proof, socially inclusive, and capable of withstanding demographic and environmental transitions.

“Our approach must ensure cities are future-ready, climate-resilient and designed to deliver dignity and a better quality of life for every citizen,” she said.

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During her visit, Padhee also engaged in a strategic dialogue with the Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority. The discussion centered on strengthening governance structures and institutional frameworks for rapidly growing metropolitan regions. Both leaders underscored the importance of cities as economic engines, innovation hubs, and spaces that foster equitable growth.

Reaffirming Odisha’s commitment to progressive urban development, Padhee noted that the state continues to drive reform-oriented, technology-enabled, and community-partnered initiatives. Odisha’s urban strategy places dignity, opportunity, and sustainability at its core, ensuring that growth is balanced with liveability.

With this vision, Odisha aims to set a benchmark for inclusive and climate-resilient urbanization in India, positioning its cities as models of innovation, governance, and citizen empowerment.