Odisha Urban Design Hub to come up, oversee development of 11 large cities

In a landmark initiative to guide the future of Odisha’s urban growth, the state government has announced the creation of the Odisha Urban Design Hub (OUDH), a specialised agency that will steer the transformation of 11 major cities through a structured, design-led approach.

According to The New Indian Express, the Odisha Urban Design Hub will function under the Housing and Urban Development Department and is envisioned as the state’s apex body for integrating design excellence into urban development.

It will coordinate across multiple domains such as planning, infrastructure, municipal finance, data analytics, and community engagement to develop city-specific improvement strategies.

While cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur and Sambalpur have already seen rapid expansion, the OUDH aims to ensure that further development reflects both functional needs and Odisha’s rich architectural heritage.

The hub will prepare detailed neighbourhood plans and identify high-impact projects for 11 cities, including Jharsuguda-Sambalpur, Balasore, Baripada, Bhadrak, Paradip, Koraput-Jeypore, Keonjhar and Phulbani.

For the capital region, which comprises Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and adjoining areas of Khordha, the hub will focus on developing 15-minute city plans centred around transit nodes to improve accessibility and quality of life.

Notably, the design hub will serve as the implementation and advisory arm for these schemes, ensuring that projects align with the broader goals of urban livability and inclusive development. 

It will also guide the design and execution of seven flagship public space projects across Odisha, with a focus on heritage, commerce, and community well-being.

Building Odisha’s Future with Differentiated Urban Strategies

The establishment of OUDH comes at a time when Odisha is preparing for long-term regional transformation through initiatives like the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER).

This corridor, which envisions the capital region as a USD 500 billion economic cluster by 2047, includes proposals for an Aerotropolis in Puri, a medi-city in Cuttack, a new city near Chandaka, and large industrial zones to boost employment and investment.