Designshala Collaborative

Netherlands-EU-India Urban Mobility Conference 2026" in Mumbai, Centered on creating walking and cycling-friendly cities and reimagining urban mobility through global collaboration.

The conference enabled meaningful discussions on developing pedestrian- and cycling-friendly urban environments, reinforcing that sustainable mobility is essential for healthier, future-ready cities.

Netherlands-EU-India Urban Mobility Conference 2026 | Mumbai

The conference was honored by the presence of Hon. Shri. Ashish Shelar, Minister of Cultural Affairs of Maharashtra, and H.E. Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Hon. Shri. Ashish Shelar, noted the rising acceptance of cycling as a key mode of transport and the state’s focus on improving urban mobility infrastructure.

H.E. Ms. Marisa Gerards, described the event as a significant step toward advancing sustainable urban mobility. She highlighted priority areas such as cycling infrastructure, walkability, and integrated transport planning, noting a strong and evolving alignment between the Netherlands and India in this space.

“The Netherlands and India share a long-standing partnership across sectors. This conference marks an important step in strengthening cooperation on sustainable mobility,” she said.

With cities facing challenges such as congestion, air pollution, road safety issues, and inefficient transport systems, the initiative aims to bridge European expertise with the needs of rapidly growing Indian cities, translating global knowledge into practical, scalable solutions.

Netherlands-EU-India Urban Mobility Conference 2026 | Mumbai

The Netherlands-EU-India Urban Mobility Conference 2026 served as a vital platform for experts and policymakers to reimagine cities through global collaboration. Focused on walking, cycling, and people-centric design, the event bridged Indian and European contexts to tackle shared mobility challenges.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 for the conference and contributed two key sessions:
Panel 1: Developing Cycling Cities in India – Strategies for scaling active mobility in Indian metros.
Panel 2: Global Bicycle Network Program – Using international frameworks to drive India’s cycling revolution.

Key discussions focused on advancing cycling cities in India, promoting cycle tourism as a pathway toward net-zero goals, and strengthening governance in active mobility. Case studies ranged from Pune’s initiatives—such as its Urban Mobility Department and cycling infrastructure—to global examples like Amsterdam, where cycling is seamlessly integrated into everyday life through strong policy and planning.

The conference also highlighted the importance of public participation through initiatives like Happy Streets and vehicle-free days. It reinforced that urban mobility is not just about movement, but about designing inclusive, sustainable, and people-centric cities.

Ultimately, the event reinforced that mobility is about designing cities for people, not just vehicles.

DesignshalaCollaborative

🚲 Developing a Cycling City in India | Panel Discussion

What does it take to truly build a cycling city in India?

Join us for an insightful panel featuring voices from ULB officials, CSOs, NGOs, researchers, and consultants as they unpack the journey of cities like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad — from bold plans to on-ground challenges.

Adding a global perspective, the former Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam will share how sustained vision, policy, and political will helped shape one of the world’s leading cycling cities.

💬 What to expect:
• Real experiences from Indian cities
• Learnings from global best practices
• Honest conversations on what works — and what doesn’t

Be part of the dialogue shaping the future of active mobility 🚴‍♂️

Speakers:
Dirk De Jager
Ashik Jain
Sunil Pawar
Pranjal Kulkarni
Jashwanth Tej Kasala
Shweta Vernekar

Moderator:
Chetan Sodaye

.ActiveMobility. SustainableCities. UrbanDesign.

🚲 Urban Governance in Active Mobility | Panel Discussion

How do cities actually make cycling work? It starts with governance.

This panel brings together Municipal Commissioners and officials from cities like Pimpri-Chinchwad and Ulhasnagar to unpack the realities of implementing active mobility on the ground.

With a global lens from the former Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam, the discussion will explore how strong governance frameworks can transform mobility systems.

💬 What we’ll dive into:
• Urban Governance & decision-making
• Financing and budgeting for active mobility
• Managing cities for people-first streets
• Innovation in planning and implementation

Because building cycling cities isn’t just about design — it’s about how cities are governed, funded, and managed.

Speakers:
Dirk De Jager
Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi (IAS)
Manisha Awhale (IAS)
Bapusaheb Gaikwad
Ashik Jain

Moderator:
Piyush Girgaonkar

.SustainableCities. Urban Innovation. MobilityForAll.