Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 8 minutes ago
India has more than 160 cities whose debt is rated investment grade, yet none rank in the top 100 of EIU’s Global Liveability Index. Urban infrastructure is still funded mainly by governments, given limited commercial capital and weak local finances. Cities must expand while remaining liveable amid floods, water stress, heat and pollution; a World Bank study estimates that India’s towns and cities require investment of $2.4trn by 2050 to meet climate-resilient, low‑carbon infrastructure needs—far in excess of current spending.
How can cities scale mass transit, make buildings and public spaces greener, protect against climate extremes, and cut energy use? What fiscal autonomy and capacity do tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities need to raise revenue? And how can they attract private capital without pricing out housing, transport and basic services?
Speakers:
Shamika Ravi, member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister
Michael Steidl, head of regional representation for South Asia, European Investment Bank
Prateek Jhawar, head of real assets, India, Macquarie Asset Management
Ming Zhang, global director for urban, subnational finance, tourism and disaster management, World Bank
Moderated by Upasana Dutt, head of India, The Economist
Group
India has more than 160 cities whose debt is rated investment grade, yet none rank in the top 100 of EIU’s Global Liveability Index. Urban infrastructure is still funded mainly by governments, given limited commercial capital and weak local finances. Cities must expand while remaining liveable amid floods, water stress, heat and pollution; a World Bank study estimates that India’s towns and cities require investment of $2.4trn by 2050 to meet climate-resilient, low‑carbon infrastructure needs—far in excess of current spending.
How can cities scale mass transit, make buildings and public spaces greener, protect against climate extremes, and cut energy use? What fiscal autonomy and capacity do tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities need to raise revenue? And how can they attract private capital without pricing out housing, transport and basic services?
Speakers:
Shamika Ravi, member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister
Michael Steidl, head of regional representation for South Asia, European Investment Bank
Prateek Jhawar, head of real assets, India, Macquarie Asset Management
Ming Zhang, global director for urban, subnational finance, tourism and disaster management, World Bank
Moderated by Upasana Dutt, head of India, The Economist
Group
