The Centre for Emerging Cities at Artha Global, in partnership with the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), Government of Maharashtra, brought together city representatives from across Maharashtra for a virtual knowledge exchange on making housing affordable.
As migration to urban areas continues to rise, the need for affordable and accessible housing has become more urgent than ever. Cities have long grappled with this issue, despite support from various government schemes and missions. The session had discussions on why access to affordable housing is essential for citizens to fully participate in urban economies. There were honest reflections on barriers to making housing affordable, such as financing gaps and implementation challenges.
In the peer showcase session, Kolhapur and Nanded shared experiences with beneficiary-led housing programs under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Odisha’s Jaga Mission showcased its inclusive approach to slum upgrading and its inspiring outcomes. A few practical tools and case studies were shared with participants to support city-led housing initiatives.
The session reinforced the value of peer learning and collective problem-solving—showing that while challenges are complex, solutions are already emerging from within our cities.
