Urbanity in the Global South, particularly across Asia, has evolved over centuries through layered civilizations, trade networks, and indigenous socio-spatial systems. Within this context, India’s urbanity reflects a long civilizational legacy that shaped settlement patterns well into the colonial and early post-Independence periods. Contemporary ideologies of urban design emerged in the 1960s, largely in response to the homogeneity of rapidly developing “modern” cities that sidelined the public realm. Today, in the mid-2020s, India confronts more complex challenges—climate stress, identity and culture, real-estate economics, shrinking public spaces, unchecked building forms, and a broader erosion of urban aesthetics.

It was at this significant juncture, in 2006, that the need to establish a dedicated urban design body led to the constitution of the Institute of Urban Designers India (IUDI) as a national-level association of urban design professionals, academicians, and practitioners. IUDI celebrates its Foundation Day on June 1, marking its formal registration in 2007 with the Registrar of Societies as a national body. March 15 is observed as the Annual Day, commemorating the Institute’s inaugural launch ceremony held in New Delhi.

Today, IUDI’s membership spans across the country and includes students, practicing urban designers, academicians, and representatives from government departments. The Institute also has a growing global presence, represented by Indian urban designers practicing in various parts of the world. IUDI is a steadily expanding community, driven by the mission to make existing and emerging cities more livable for their people through thoughtful and inclusive urban design.