Mumbai Metro-led development model draws global attention at Davos Baukultur Alliance 2026 in Switzerland

Mumbai Metroled development model has drawn global attention at Davos Baukultur Alliance 2026 held in Switzerland officials saidAccording to an official statement the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA received international recognition for its largescale urban transformation efforts after participating in the prestigious Davos Baukultur Alliance Annual Meeting 2026 held in BernThe 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 citiesRepresenting the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee took part in highlevel discussions on metropolitan development and future urban planningDuring the event Dr Mukherjee also met Alois Zwinggi to discuss expanding cooperation between MMRDA and the World Economic Forum beyond 2026The discussions focused on sustainable urban development infrastructure investment climate resilience and integrated transport systemsFocus on liveable and sustainable citiesThe meeting was organised under the theme ldquoLiveable Placesrdquo and explored how cities can become more sustainable peoplefriendly and economically resilientGlobal experts discussed the concept of ldquoBaukulturrdquo which promotes highquality urban environments that combine sustainability cultural sensitivity and longterm planningMMRDArsquos participation highlighted Mumbairsquos growing importance as one of the worldrsquos major urban transformation regions the statement saidMumbairsquos infra projects highlightedSpeaking during a session titled ldquoBefore the First Brick Aligning Capital with Qualityrdquo Dr Mukherjee explained how Mumbai is pursuing integrated metropolitan growth through major infrastructure and mobility projectsHe highlighted several ongoing initiatives including Largescale metro rail expansion Underground transport corridors Multimodal mobility systems TransitOriented Development TOD Digital mobility integration Regional economic growth hubsHe also presented MMRDArsquos broader ldquoMumbai in Minutesrdquo and ldquoMumbai 30rdquo vision plans aimed at improving connectivity economic growth and quality of life across the metropolitan regionGlobal interest in Mumbairsquos development modelInternational stakeholders reportedly showed strong interest in Mumbairsquos integrated development model because of the scale and complexity involved in transforming one of the worldrsquos most densely populated urban regionsThe model combines infrastructure expansion sustainability economic planning and regional connectivity under a single institutional frameworkMMRDA said the recognition places Mumbai among leading global metropolitan regions involved in shaping the future of sustainable urbanisation and infrastructureled growthMMRDA and WEF partnership to expandOn 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 WEFMMRDA and WEF had signed a Memorandum of Collaboration in Mumbai in September 2024 to strengthen cooperation in sustainable urban development infrastructure transformation and futureready metropolitan planningAccording to officials several projects and partnerships initiated through the collaboration are already moving towards implementation across infrastructure mobility sustainability and economic development sectorsMMRDA aims to position Mumbai as global urban modelSpeaking after the meeting Dr Mukherjee said Mumbai represents one of the worldrsquos most important urban growth corridors and that MMRDA aims to make the region globally competitive climateresilient and futurereadyHe said Mumbairsquos experience in integrated mobility systems infrastructureled growth and metropolitan governance could offer valuable lessons for cities around the worldMMRDA added that it will continue working with global institutions investors and policy platforms to bring innovation investment and sustainable development practices to the MMR