Regional conclave 2024

Time	Particulars
0900 – 1000 hrs	Registration
1000 – 1030 hrs	Opening Remarks Welcome Address by Mr. Sanjay Seth, Vice President & CEO, GRIHA Council and Senior Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Programme, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Special Address by Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, Social Transformation & Strategic Alliance and Administrative Services & Regional Centres, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) GRIHA Presentation by Ms. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy CEO & Secretary, GRIHA Council and Director, Sustainable Buildings Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
1030 – 1145 hrs	Plenary Session 1: Building Disaster Resilience in Vulnerable Areas Session Brief: Assam’s natural terrain makes it prone to various disastrous hazards, including natural and human-activity induced floods, whilst facing water stresses, and earthquakes due to its location under Seismic Zone V. The state, located on the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra River, faces recurrent flooding during monsoons, leading to loss of infrastructure, lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity every year. Unplanned urbanization has exacerbated issues of waterlogging and biodiversity loss, while seismic risks threaten infrastructure stability. This session aims to highlight these challenges that necessitate adoption of comprehensive disaster resilience strategies for infrastructure development. Seismic safety measures involve employing earthquake-resistant construction techniques and adhering to safety codes. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems help manage flooding and alleviate water stress, while green spaces and restored wetlands serve as natural buffers against disasters. Community-led disaster preparedness programs and early warning systems enhance local response capacities. By integrating sustainable urban planning, innovative technologies like GIS mapping, and stakeholder collaboration, Assam can foster resilient development in its disaster-vulnerable regions. Moderator:Ar. Akash Deep, Deputy General Manager & Treasurer, GRIHA Council Panellists: Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, Social Transformation & Strategic Alliance and Administrative Services & Regional Centres, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Dr. Surajit Baruah, Senior Consultant, NDMA SFDRR Programme, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) Dr. Rajib Kumar Bhattacharjya, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Guwahati Ar. Ragini Goswami, Proprietor, Ecospace, Green Design Consultancy & EC Member, Association of Architects, Assam (AAA)
1145 – 1200 hrs	Session Switch Break & Networking
1215 – 1330 hrs	Plenary Session 2: Building Smart, Green Cities – Infrastructure for Tomorrow Session Brief: As cities continue to grow and urbanization accelerates, the need for sustainable, resilient, and efficient infrastructure has never been more critical. With rapid urbanization and climate change presenting significant challenges, the session will focus on designing and implementing smart, green infrastructure solutions to address these issues. Discussions will cover the role of smart infrastructure systems in optimizing urban services, such as transportation, waste management, and energy distribution, to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. It will further delve into green building practices, focusing on sustainable materials and techniques, and importance of urban green spaces and biodiversity, emphasizing their role in mitigating the urban heat island effect and improving public health. Concepts of circular economy in urban planning, focusing on waste recycling and sustainable material sourcing, will also be addressed. The session will also address factors and solutions of urban development to ensure integration of smart, green infrastructure that meets the needs of and promotes long-term sustainability. Moderator: Smt. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Secretary, GRIHA Council & Director, Sustainable Buildings Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Panellists: Prof. (Dr.) Hari Prasad Agarwal, Dean, Royal School of Architecture (RSA), Royal School of Design (RSD), Royal School of Fashion Design & Technology (RSFT) and Royal School of Fine Arts (RSFA) Mr. Soumya Das Gupta, Executive Engineer, PWRD, Brahmaputra Bridge Construction Division-II Ar. Rittick Hazarika, Principal Architect, Rittick Hazarika Design Associates (RHDA) Mr. Manish Chauhan, Cluster Project Manager, Northeast sector, Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
1330 – 1445 hrs	Lunch
1445 – 1615 hrs	Plenary Session 3: Blueprint to Legislation – Policies Shaping Climate Action Session Brief: This session will explore key legislative frameworks and policies driving climate action in Assam, addressing the state's unique vulnerabilities and opportunities. It will focus on the Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) and its strategies for low-carbon emissions and resilient development, emphasizing interdepartmental coordination and stakeholder engagement. The session will also cover the Assam Green Budget for 2024-25, integrating climate considerations into public financial planning for green goals and procurement practices. Discussions will include targets for expanding renewable energy capacity, especially solar and biomass, to reduce fossil fuel reliance. Additionally, the role of civic engagement and open contracting practices in shaping climate legislation will be highlighted. Overall, this session will focus on the legislative and policy measures that are driving climate action in Assam, aiming to enhance the state’s resilience and foster sustainable growth. Moderator: Shri Sanjay Seth, Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, GRIHA Council & Senior Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Programme, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Panellists: Dr. Jaideep Baruah, Director, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Department of Science, Technology & Climate Change, Government of Assam Dr. Jayanta Pathak, Professor (HoD), Department of Civil Engineering, Assam Engineering College Mr. Mantu Bora, General Manager, Assam Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd. (AUIDFCL), Department of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of Assam Ar. Pritam Nath, Consultant Architect, Neev and EC Member, Indian Institute of Architects Assam Chapter Special Remarks by Mr. N.B Nalage, CE (Engineering), Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
1615 – 1630 hrs	Session Switch Break & Networking
1630 – 1745 hrs	Valedictory Session Opening Address by Mr. Sanjay Seth, Vice President & CEO, GRIHA Council and Senior Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Programme, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Special Address by Dr. Jaideep Baruah, Director, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Department of Science, Technology & Climate Change, Government of Assam Special Address by Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, Social Transformation & Strategic Alliance and Administrative Services & Regional Centres, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Indian Institute of Architects Assam Chapter (IIA Assam Chapter) Association of Architects, Assam (AAA) Special Address by Shri T. V. S. Prakasa Rao, Assistant Commissioner (Acad.), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Shillong Region Publication Launch GRIHA Felicitation Ceremony Valedictory Address by Shri Keshab Mahanta, Hon’ble Minister, Departments of Health & Family Welfare and Science and Technology, Information & Technology, Government of Assam Vote of Thanks by Ms. Shabnam Bassi, Deputy CEO & Secretary, GRIHA Council and Director, Sustainable Buildings Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
1745 – 1800 hrs	Cultural Performance by Sribhoomi Axom
1800 hrs onwards	High Tea & Networking

Accelerating Climate Action in the Built Environment’