10 Rising Urban Architects in India Set to Tweak Compact City Living

Urban life in India is changing fast. More people now live in cities. This creates both stress and opportunity for architects.

I first noticed this in my trip to Mumbai, when I walked through the streets of the city and saw how homes shrink while cities grow. The city looked tight and full of life.

Streets were busy. People squeezed into small spaces. This made me wonder: how will Indian cities live comfortably in the future? Urban architects in India are the ones with ideas to solve this.

They think about space and people first. They make plans that help cities breathe. They dwell around the ideas of compact city living and sustainable city design. These architects do more than build buildings. They design whole urban areas that mix homes, parks, and shops so people can walk everywhere. They think about communities, nature, and future growth.

Some firms make plans for whole towns and cities. Others work on small spaces that feel big. All of them think about how cities will grow by 2026 and beyond. In this article, I share the top ten rising stars who lead India urban architecture firms with fresh ideas. They are shaping new ways of living in dense places. Their work will change how we live in Indian cities soon.

1. Anmol Yogleela — Founder & Principal, Yogleela Group

Anmol Yogleela is a young and driven architect. He started Yogleela Group, a firm that focuses on changing how Indian cities grow. Anmol believes cities should work like living systems. He says they should be easy to move in and full of shared spaces. His work focuses on urban design and planning India and new ideas that help people live close together without stress. He created two new design styles that mix simplicity with deep cultural ideas. He calls these styles “Dramatic Minimalism” and “Modern Vedic Architecture”.

Anmol trained in architecture and later studied business, and this mix helped him see design and planning through a broad view. He aims to solve real problems such as traffic, small homes, and public space use. His firm works on both micro-scale housing and macro urban development. This lets him test ideas for compact city living. His projects show how smart, clear design can improve crowded urban areas.

What makes him stand out is his push for new urban models in India. He doesn’t focus only on buildings. He plans neighborhoods that are walkable and filled with community space. His work uses simple lines and bold ideas that help people use space in smarter ways. Many people now see him as one of the top urban architects in India who will influence the outlook of Indian cities by 2026. His leadership helps shape discussions about the future of urban environments across India.

2. Ayan Sen: Principal Architect, Ayan Sen Architects, Urban Designers & Planners

Ayan Sen leads Ayan Sen Architects Urban Designers & Planners from Kolkata. He is known for thoughtful designs that mix nature, light, and space. His firm works on many kinds of projects, including new housing, urban public areas, and city-level plans. Ayan’s work focuses strongly on how people live in tight city spaces.

Ayan trained at a top architecture school and then spent years learning how cities grow. Early in his career, he saw that many Indian cities lacked parks, shade, or easy connections between places. So he started designing projects that connect homes, work, and play in smart ways. He uses simple forms and open spaces so homes feel bigger than they are.

His urban plans show how to make dense cities feel calm and breathable. He often designs public paths, shaded walkways, and community squares. These ideas help people connect and move easily in crowded areas. This makes his work ideal for compact living in India. Ayan also talks about sustainable and local materials. He uses materials that keep buildings cool and reduce energy use. This supports sustainable city design agenda.

People describe Ayan as a warm and persistent leader. He listens to local communities before designing. This helps him make places that fit the real needs of people who live there. Many people now see him as one of the best urban design architects who will shape India’s cities in the next decade.