July 27th - 29th, 2026  Indo-German Symposium: Risks, Intersectionality and Inclusion in (Mega) Cities

Heidelberg Centre South Asia, Heidelberg University, in collaboration with India Office Universität zu Köln, Universität Bonn, and University of Delhi, organised the Indo-German Symposium on “Risks, Intersectionality and Inclusion in (Mega) Cities” from 27–29 July 2026 in Delhi. The workshop was co-supported by DWIH New Delhi. The workshop brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and early career researchers from India and Germany to examine the complex challenges facing rapidly growing cities.

The programme covered a range of interdisciplinary perspectives on urban governance and city planning, critical infrastructure, disaster risk management, cybersecurity, urban food environments and waste management, informal livelihoods, energy systems and corresponding challenges, and the interdependencies between urban and rural critical infrastructure in the context of disaster risk. 

The discussions highlighted the importance of understanding how different forms of risk and vulnerability intersect and how urban planning and governance can contribute to more inclusive, resilient and equitable cities. Further, the vivid discussions explored questions around water, sanitation and hygiene, urban river rejuvenation, environmental risks, disability and inclusion, intersectional inequalities, and the everyday risks faced by informal-sector communities.

The workshop provided opportunities to strengthen Indo-German research networks through sessions on funding opportunities from DFG, and the EU, perspectives from local communities and civil society organisations, and presentations by early-career researchers. The Keynote by Prof. Dr. Frauke Kraas, titled “Multiple Risks, Intersectionality and Inclusion: Neglected Research Questions”, brought together several of the key questions explored during the workshop.