U-CAN City Mixers
U-CAN City Mixers bring together member organisations and urban practitioners for evenings of learning, reflection, and dialogue. These gatherings are designed to spark collaboration, share insights, and explore solutions for complex urban challenges.
Hosted by Centre for Policy Research
February 20, 2026 – New Delhi
In February, we gathered at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi for a City Mixer that asked a simple but unsettling question: where is the demand for collective action in our cities today? Guided by our Urban Champion, Jagan Shah, the conversation examined whether collective action has been reduced to a technocratic tool, and what it means to act meaningfully together in contexts where participation can feel procedural. Drawing on thinkers such as Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Hannah Arendt, and Richard Sennett, the discussion moved between theory and lived experience, leaving us with a shared recognition that collective action must be continually nurtured, not assumed.
In February, we gathered at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi for a City Mixer that asked a simple but unsettling question: where is the demand for collective action in our cities today? Guided by our Urban Champion, Jagan Shah, the conversation examined whether collective action has been reduced to a technocratic tool, and what it means to act meaningfully together in contexts where participation can feel procedural. Drawing on thinkers such as Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Hannah Arendt, and Richard Sennett, the discussion moved between theory and lived experience, leaving us with a shared recognition that collective action must be continually nurtured, not assumed.
Hosted by Reap Benefit
January 30, 2026
We began 2026 with our first City Mixer of the year, hosted by Reap Benefit, and experimented with a new format: “Adda.” In this open, unstructured space, anyone could speak for five to seven minutes on a topic of their choice. What emerged were candid reflections and questions that rarely surface in formal settings, reminding us that meaningful dialogue often begins by loosening structure. Our Urban Champion, Sailee Rane, Head of Ecosystem Messaging at Rainmatter Foundation, shared her work on building a community of climate narrative builders. From simplifying climate news to creative practices like “100 Days of Blue Skies,” she reflected on how storytelling can make climate change immediate, human, and harder to ignore.
We began 2026 with our first City Mixer of the year, hosted by Reap Benefit, and experimented with a new format: “Adda.” In this open, unstructured space, anyone could speak for five to seven minutes on a topic of their choice. What emerged were candid reflections and questions that rarely surface in formal settings, reminding us that meaningful dialogue often begins by loosening structure. Our Urban Champion, Sailee Rane, Head of Ecosystem Messaging at Rainmatter Foundation, shared her work on building a community of climate narrative builders. From simplifying climate news to creative practices like “100 Days of Blue Skies,” she reflected on how storytelling can make climate change immediate, human, and harder to ignore.
Hosted by Praja Foundation
December 19, 2025 – Mumbai
To wrap up 2025, Praja Foundation hosted a U-CAN City Mixer in Mumbai, bringing people together for an evening of dialogue and reflection. Prof. Amita Bhide from TISS shared insights from her long-standing work with urban poor communities, community organisations, and housing rights movements. Her stories sparked conversations on how urban change is shaped through sustained dialogue, grounded research, and collective action.
To wrap up 2025, Praja Foundation hosted a U-CAN City Mixer in Mumbai, bringing people together for an evening of dialogue and reflection. Prof. Amita Bhide from TISS shared insights from her long-standing work with urban poor communities, community organisations, and housing rights movements. Her stories sparked conversations on how urban change is shaped through sustained dialogue, grounded research, and collective action.
Hosted By WRI India
December 12, 2025 - New Delhi
In December, our City Mixer opened beyond U-CAN membership, bringing together urban practitioners, researchers, and students for an evening of curiosity and dialogue. We were delighted to have Nidhi Batra, Founder of Sehreeti Developmental Practices Foundation, share her work in participatory research and community engagement in Delhi’s historic neighbourhoods, Mehrauli and Chandni Chowk, using poetry and art to explore memory, place, and urban practice. She also highlighted Sehreeti’s biodiversity initiatives with young people in Haryana and Gurugram, including using community radio to amplify citizens’ voices.
In December, our City Mixer opened beyond U-CAN membership, bringing together urban practitioners, researchers, and students for an evening of curiosity and dialogue. We were delighted to have Nidhi Batra, Founder of Sehreeti Developmental Practices Foundation, share her work in participatory research and community engagement in Delhi’s historic neighbourhoods, Mehrauli and Chandni Chowk, using poetry and art to explore memory, place, and urban practice. She also highlighted Sehreeti’s biodiversity initiatives with young people in Haryana and Gurugram, including using community radio to amplify citizens’ voices.
Hosted by Praja Foundation
October 10, 2025 - Mumbai
In Mumbai, our October mixer with Praja Foundation turned into an evening of honest reflection on what it takes to strengthen city systems from within. Former councillor Ravi Raja shared insights from his years in public service, sparking dialogue on how governance, transparency, and trust evolve over time. The conversations reminded us that lasting reform is built through continuity.
In Mumbai, our October mixer with Praja Foundation turned into an evening of honest reflection on what it takes to strengthen city systems from within. Former councillor Ravi Raja shared insights from his years in public service, sparking dialogue on how governance, transparency, and trust evolve over time. The conversations reminded us that lasting reform is built through continuity.
Hosted by Janaagraha
July 17, 2025 - Bangalore
Back in Bangalore, Janaagraha welcomed the U-CAN community with warmth and insight. Vishwanath S shared compelling stories from the water ecosystem, drawing lessons from cities across India. Srikanth Viswanathan offered a glimpse into Janaagraha’s culture, sparking conversations about what it takes to shift city systems. Through speed networking, storytelling, and reflection, one thing became clear: openness and curiosity create real collective power.
Back in Bangalore, Janaagraha welcomed the U-CAN community with warmth and insight. Vishwanath S shared compelling stories from the water ecosystem, drawing lessons from cities across India. Srikanth Viswanathan offered a glimpse into Janaagraha’s culture, sparking conversations about what it takes to shift city systems. Through speed networking, storytelling, and reflection, one thing became clear: openness and curiosity create real collective power.
Hosted by Artha Global
April 14, 2025 – Mumbai
Our mixer unfolded into a rich evening of dialogue and reflection. Dr. Anita Patil-Deshmukh of PUKAR shared her experiences with participatory urban research, sparking thoughtful exchanges with peers from Praja Foundation, Shelter Associates, and other member organisations. Across conversations, the power of thinking out loud with peers who care about the same complex questions was palpable.
Our mixer unfolded into a rich evening of dialogue and reflection. Dr. Anita Patil-Deshmukh of PUKAR shared her experiences with participatory urban research, sparking thoughtful exchanges with peers from Praja Foundation, Shelter Associates, and other member organisations. Across conversations, the power of thinking out loud with peers who care about the same complex questions was palpable.
Hosted by WRI India
April 11, 2025 - Bangalore
The first-ever U-CAN City Mixer brought member organisations together for an evening buzzing with curiosity and energy. Conversations flowed across urban systems, climate resilience, and inclusive planning. One standout moment was Dr. Siji Chacko from Jan Sahas sharing insights on putting migrant workers at the heart of climate resilience efforts. The discussion that followed was timely, grounded, and deeply resonant, setting the tone for what it means to learn together as a community.
The first-ever U-CAN City Mixer brought member organisations together for an evening buzzing with curiosity and energy. Conversations flowed across urban systems, climate resilience, and inclusive planning. One standout moment was Dr. Siji Chacko from Jan Sahas sharing insights on putting migrant workers at the heart of climate resilience efforts. The discussion that followed was timely, grounded, and deeply resonant, setting the tone for what it means to learn together as a community.