Our cities are powerhouses of innovation and opportunity, bringing together diverse people and presenting one of the most dense and effective ways to deliver infrastructure services at lower costs. And urban India is growing at breakneck speed, with more than 400 million people expected to live and work in our cities by 2030. 

However, urbanisation provides both opportunities and challenges on numerous fronts. In terms of opportunities, particularly for women, multiple researchers have demonstrated that urbanisation has been positive for women. Compared to their rural counterparts, urban women have better opportunities for employment, lower fertility rates and better social structures to empower their independence. Higher access to healthcare, education and even mobility provide the social infrastructure needed for women to thrive in cities. On the other hand, we feel the impact of extreme air pollution, traffic, waste, bad roads and water shortages daily. Our cities are often the worst ranked globally on climate issues while rising GDP and accelerated development can cause further inequity and environmental issues.

Enter urban tech startups that are shaping the cities of tomorrow. From traffic management to sustainable housing, these companies are solving the biggest challenges of urban life. But here’s the thing—if we want truly inclusive and effective solutions, we need more women in the room.

Women bring diverse perspectives, unique problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of urban issues, especially when it comes to safety, mobility, and work-life balance. Urban tech isn’t just about coding or designing apps. It spans a spectrum of core and digital technologies and addresses diverse problems – from water quality to alternatives to concrete to strengthening technology in municipalities. There are so many ways women can lead in this space – founders, investors, management, and even non-gender stereotypical roles for gig workers and blue-collar employees. 

We’ve had the privilege of knowing multiple female founders in this space – Shirti Pandey (Strawcture), Suchitra & Shanta Rao (Ossus), Mansi Jain (Digital Paani), Sayari De (All about Architecture), to name a few, doing fantastic work. But there is room for many, many more. 

Indian cities are growing rapidly, bringing massive challenges: traffic congestion, pollution, lack of affordable housing, and inadequate public transport. With urbanisation in full swing, the country needs fresh, inclusive ideas. Urban tech startups in India need more women – with representation being the first step towards empowerment and equity. Women’s involvement in solving these problems is not just about gender equality, though – it’s about building better cities for everyone. 

When women take the lead in designing urban solutions, cities become faster, smarter and more inclusive. Whether as founders, developers, marketers or researchers, their contributions can transform our cities for the better. So, if you’re a woman with entrepreneurial ambitions, urban tech problems are calling. The future of our cities depends on it!