12 May,2026 05:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Global experts discussed the concept of “Baukultur”, which promotes high-quality urban environments that combine sustainability, cultural sensitivity and long-term planning. Pic/MMRDA
Mumbai Metro-led development model has drawn global attention at Davos Baukultur Alliance 2026 held in Switzerland, officials said.
According to an official statement, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) received international recognition for its large-scale urban transformation efforts after participating in the prestigious Davos Baukultur Alliance Annual Meeting 2026 held in Bern.
The annual meeting, linked to the World Economic Forum (WEF), brought together global leaders from urban planning, infrastructure, finance, architecture and public policy to discuss sustainable and liveable cities.
Representing the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Metropolitan Commissioner, Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee took part in high-level discussions on metropolitan development and future urban planning.
During the event, Dr. Mukherjee also met Alois Zwinggi to discuss expanding cooperation between MMRDA and the World Economic Forum beyond 2026.
The discussions focused on sustainable urban development, infrastructure investment, climate resilience and integrated transport systems.
The meeting was organised under the theme "Liveable Places" and explored how cities can become more sustainable, people-friendly and economically resilient.
Global experts discussed the concept of "Baukultur", which promotes high-quality urban environments that combine sustainability, cultural sensitivity and long-term planning.
MMRDA's participation highlighted Mumbai's growing importance as one of the world's major urban transformation regions, the statement said.
Speaking during a session titled "Before the First Brick: Aligning Capital with Quality", Dr. Mukherjee explained how Mumbai is pursuing integrated metropolitan growth through major infrastructure and mobility projects.
He highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including:
- Large-scale metro rail expansion
- Underground transport corridors
- Multimodal mobility systems
- Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
- Digital mobility integration
- Regional economic growth hubs
He also presented MMRDA's broader "Mumbai in Minutes" and "Mumbai 3.0" vision plans aimed at improving connectivity, economic growth and quality of life across the metropolitan region.
International stakeholders reportedly showed strong interest in Mumbai's integrated development model because of the scale and complexity involved in transforming one of the world's most densely populated urban regions.
The model combines infrastructure expansion, sustainability, economic planning and regional connectivity under a single institutional framework.
MMRDA said the recognition places Mumbai among leading global metropolitan regions involved in shaping the future of sustainable urbanisation and infrastructure-led growth.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr. Mukherjee invited Zwinggi to visit Mumbai as part of the next phase of collaboration between MMRDA and the World Economic Forum (WEF).
MMRDA and WEF had signed a Memorandum of Collaboration in Mumbai in September 2024 to strengthen cooperation in sustainable urban development, infrastructure transformation and future-ready metropolitan planning.
According to officials, several projects and partnerships initiated through the collaboration are already moving towards implementation across infrastructure, mobility, sustainability and economic development sectors.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Mukherjee said Mumbai represents one of the world's most important urban growth corridors and that MMRDA aims to make the region globally competitive, climate-resilient and future-ready.
He said Mumbai's experience in integrated mobility systems, infrastructure-led growth and metropolitan governance could offer valuable lessons for cities around the world.
MMRDA added that it will continue working with global institutions, investors and policy platforms to bring innovation, investment and sustainable development practices to the MMR.
