In a landmark step towards shaping India’s urban future, the Government of Odisha has unveiled the Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanisation, and Reform (ANKUR), a visionary initiative dedicated to fostering inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-led urban development. Anchored in the ambition of Viksit Odisha and aligned with the national agenda of Viksit Bharat @2047, ANKUR is conceived as an institutional platform to drive systemic reforms, support cutting-edge innovation, and embed evidence-based planning across urban governance in the state.

The formal launch of ANKUR on 28th May 2025, was marked by the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) and six prominent organizations in the urban development ecosystem. Among these was the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), which joins the initiative as a key knowledge partner. This strategic collaboration reaffirms UN-Habitat’s enduring commitment to advancing inclusive, resilient, and climate-conscious urban futures. The MoU represents not only a formal partnership but a shared resolve to co-create transformative, community-centric solutions grounded in global best practices and Odisha’s local urban context.

Faced with projections that its urban population may triple in the following decade, the Odisha Vision 2036 has recognized the urgency of adopting robust and adaptive frameworks for urban governance. ANKUR is thus structured around four foundational pillars: Capacity Building, Knowledge and Research, Implementation Support, and Innovation. Together, these pillars establish a comprehensive ecosystem to empower stakeholders, drive informed policymaking, ensure effective execution, and catalyze new models of urban development.

UN-Habitat’s contribution will be instrumental in operationalizing the MoU through targeted programming in priority areas, co-identified with the state government. These efforts will build upon and scale existing successes such as:

• The Urban RAASTA framework (Resilient and Accelerated Advancement with Sustainable and Transformative Actions), a pioneering model for integrated and climate-resilient urban planning.
• The Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI), which equips urban youth and communities with digital tools, co-designing strategies, participatory budgeting experience, and community-mapping techniques to build inclusive and accessible public spaces.
• The development of a Circular Economy for Plastic Waste, which deploys frontier technologies to upcycle low-value plastics, fostering environmental sustainability and enhancing local livelihoods.

These tested, scalable models will position Odisha to lead by example, demonstrating how cities can be reimagined as inclusive, climate-smart, and citizen-driven spaces.

As ANKUR establishes a new paradigm for urban reform, rooted in cross-sectoral collaboration, institutional capacity, and participatory design. UN-Habitat will play a pivotal role in translating vision into impact, working towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the transformative principle of Leaving No One and No Place Behind aligning with the New Urban Agenda. By embedding global expertise into the state’s evolving policy and planning landscape, the partnership is set to deliver measurable outcomes for people and the planet alike.

This marks not just the beginning of a program, but a movement, one that aspires to make Odisha a national and global exemplar of how cities can thrive sustainably when people, knowledge, and partnerships come together with purpose.