TCS, IIT Kanpur Partner to Drive Sustainable Urban Growth

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services and business solutions, has teamed up with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) to tackle one of India’s most critical issues: sustainable urbanization.

The AIRAWAT Research Foundation, established by IIT Kanpur with support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is focused on reimagining how cities are developed. Through this partnership, TCS and the Foundation will apply artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to address urban planning challenges across India.

According to the United Nations, by 2050, 68% of the global population will live in urban centers, leading to a massive shift from rural to urban areas.  India alone will see an increase of 416 million urban residents by that time, driving economic growth but also creating challenges in urban mobility, energy consumption, pollution controls, and governance.

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Without careful planning, urban expansion could strain infrastructure and reduce long-term sustainability. TCS and IIT-K aim to overcome these obstacles, ensuring cities are resilient, equitable, and climate-conscious. The partnership will focus on transforming urban spaces into thriving ecosystems, integrating AI, data insights, and systems-based thinking.

Prof Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, emphasized, “India’s cities are central to the nation’s growth and have the potential to lead sustainable urban futures.  By utilizing AI and data-driven solutions, we aim to create cities that are resilient and climate-conscious. The AIRAWAT Consortium, in collaboration with TCS, is advancing this vision and positioning India as a global leader in sustainable urban development