Our Team
Nilesh Rajadhyaksha
Country Programme Manager
Nilesh Rajadhyaksha
Country Programme Manager
Nilesh Rajadhyaksha is an urban development specialist with over two decades of experience shaping urban policy, planning frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives in India.
He has worked with leading think tanks including the National Institute of Urban Affairs, the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, and IDFC Foundation, and was associated with the World Bank’s Capacity Building for Urban Development (CBUD) programme. In these roles, he contributed to the delivery of several flagship projects and worked closely with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to support the AMRUT and Smart Cities Missions.
Nilesh has led several high-impact initiatives in urban policy and planning. He coordinated the development of the draft Master Plan for Delhi 2041, a long-term development framework for one of the world’s largest cities. He also supported MoHUA in developing the Liveability Standards for Cities, the country’s first comprehensive city performance measurement framework. During India’s G20 Presidency, he headed the Urban20 National Technical Secretariat, supporting one of the most widely regarded U20 cycles.
His work has focused extensively on strengthening urban governance and institutional capacity. He has played a key role in national capacity-building initiatives, including the National PPP Capacity Building Programme of the Department of Economic Affairs and the Regional Capacity Building Hubs programme under JnNURM. He was instrumental in designing the training ecosystem for the AMRUT and Smart Cities Missions and helped establish the Climate Projects Preparation Facility at NIUA to support the development of bankable urban climate projects across India. Trained as an Architect with a postgraduate degree in Urban Planning, Nilesh regularly contributes to academia and has served on various technical and advisory committees.
In his role as Country Programme Manager, Nilesh leads the implementation of UN-Habitat India’s programme portfolio, while strengthening partnerships with national and state governments, urban local bodies, and development partners.
Rinky Haldar
Junior Project Officer
Rinky Haldar
Junior Project Officer
Rinky works with UN-Habitat as a Junior Project Officer, where she supports various projects focused on strategizing low-carbon urban development. Rinky has collaborated extensively with local governments on several urban initiatives, building expertise in complex urban systems, the impact of urbanization on climate change, and sustainable technological advancements. Her role involves providing technical expertise in spatial planning and regional governance, coordinating and executing participatory projects, leading workshops, and managing diverse project responsibilities. She has a Master's in Urban Design from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, and Bachelor of Architecture from Jadavpur University. She is driven by a passion to continuously learn from her experiences and is committed to supporting cities in building sustainable and resilient urban communities.
Sfeeti Padele
Junior Urban Planner
Sfeeti Padele
Junior Urban Planner
Sfeeti Padele is professional urban planner with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and a Master's in Environmental Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Urban Environmental Management and Law from NLU Delhi, in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature-India and the Center of Environmental Law. With a focus on sustainable urban and rural planning, Ms. Padele has contributed to significant projects, including the formulation of Regional Plans 2047 for Coimbatore and The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, as well as the Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan for Bilkisganj in Madhya Pradesh. Her expertise encompasses GIS mapping, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. She has gained diverse experience through roles at IPE Global, Mission Amrit Sarovar – Jal Dharohar Sanrakshan, Delhi Development Authority, Genesis Planner Hyderabad and various architectural firms, enhancing her skills in various tangents. She is committed to driving positive impact through innovative urban planning, promoting Behavior Change Solutions and Inclusive sustainable Development that prioritizes environmental sustainability and community well-being.