Sustainable Cities Challenge Varanasi: The Judges
Sustainable Cities Challenge Varanasi: The Judges
Dr Ashish Verma
"Crowd Dynamics is a classic example of complexity science. I will be eager to see tech-based solutions on crowd management that are deeply rooted in fundamental understanding of crowd dynamics."
Prof. Ashish Verma is a Professor of Transportation Systems at IISc Bangalore and heads the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab, where he has driven sustainable mobility research for over 15 years. His work spans public transit planning, non-motorized transport, climate-resilient systems, and crowd management, including the notable "Kumbh Mela Experiment." With over 285 publications, he is also the Editor-in-Chief of Sustainable Transport and Livability and holds a patent and software copyright.
Namrata Mehta
"The Sustainable Cities Challenge in Varanasi is a unique opportunity to apply digital innovation in the context of a deeply rich and historical faith based urban environment."
Namrata nurtured her passion for change-making while studying Sociology and Experimental Media Arts in India. She has spent her career around the world helping organisations in tech, philanthropy and government develop and deliver solutions for sustainable urbanisation. At UN-Habitat, Namrata leads the Climate Smart Cities Challenge, developing the organization’s approach to challenge-driven innovation in and for cities. Namrata lives in the sweltering city of Chennai, India.
Utsav Choudhury
"Transforming Varanasi’s old city into a safe, accessible, and inclusive space is more than a challenge—it’s a commitment to dignity and belonging. By harnessing innovative, data-driven solutions, we can ensure that every pilgrim, resident, and vulnerable individual, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, experiences Kashi as a city where every step is safe and accessible, every path is open and inviting, and no one is left behind."
Utsav is a trained anthropologist from Delhi University with nearly a decade of experience in the development sector. He focuses on initiatives that promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, women, children, and the economically disadvantaged. He has substantial expertise in implementing and managing human-centric projects and has been involved in various multilateral engagements with organizations such as USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Bernard van Leer Foundation, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK Government, and more recently, the United Nations in India.
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