About COE

About IRADe : Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe) was designated as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Urban Development and Climate Change in 2008, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The CoE addresses critical issues related to Urban development and Climate Resilience in India, through capacity building, research and training, integrating various urban development efforts and documenting best practices and policy level prescriptions.

CoE has undertaken rapid vulnerability assessment of 20 cities, devised roadmap for mainstreaming climate and disaster resilience components in the smart city development plans of 10 cities, and piloted urban climate vulnerability index. Committed towards strengthening city health resilience, the COE is actively involved in developing Climate Adaptive Heat Stress Action Plans, Early Warning System for Dengue and Air Pollution Action plans.

The research findings of COE have facilitated decision-making for various ministries, including Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Niti Ayog, Ministry of Power, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Urban Development, Department of Science and Technology, among others. COE has also contributed to the low carbon pathways and the Nationally Determined Contributions until 2030 and 2050, and the research outcomes are widely shared in platforms like IPCCSREX, European Union, Rockefeller Foundation (ACCCRN), UN Habitat and other international forums.