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Sathya Sankaran is a leading urban technologist and policy advocate based in Bengaluru, India, with three decades of experience transforming cities through technology and data-driven solutions in sustainable mobility and energy transition. With a Computer Science degree and postgraduate qualification in Public Policy, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and policy acumen to urban challenges.
As the architect of AltMo, a gamified mobility intelligence platform for climate-friendly cities, Sathya has directly influenced urban planning policy. The platform's data enabled a remarkable 342% increase in cycling and walking infrastructure allocation in Bengaluru's Comprehensive Master Plan, established over 20 kilometers of dedicated cycle tracks, and won Silvassa Smart City an Excellence in Innovation award. Today, AltMo helps corporations meet their ESG goals while advancing sustainable urban transportation.
His groundbreaking Relief Riders initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic earned the 2021 UN World Bicycle Day Special Award and a nomination for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The initiative spread across 12 cities with over 600 volunteers, demonstrating the power of community-led sustainable mobility solutions during crisis.
Sathya is the author of "Break the Block: Lessons from Bengaluru's Rail Battle", a comprehensive field guide chronicling a decade-long citizen campaign that brought commuter rail to Bengaluru, offering 90 lessons for change-makers. As host of the OoruLabs podcast, India's leading urban affairs podcast, he explores critical issues in urban governance, infrastructure development, and civic engagement with policymakers, activists, and urban planning experts.
India's premiere urban affairs podcast exploring cities, governance, infrastructure, and civic engagement through in-depth conversations with urban experts and policymakers.
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Field guide chronicling a decade-long citizen campaign that brought commuter rail to Bengaluru. 90 lessons for change-makers on urban activism and policy advocacy.
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Essays and reflections on urban policy, civic action, and systemic change. Sharing insights from the intersection of technology, governance, and sustainable urban development.
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Gamified mobility intelligence platform driving 342% increase in cycling infrastructure allocation and helping cities become climate-friendly through data-driven urban planning.
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COVID pandemic initiative that spread across 12 cities with 600+ volunteers, winning UN World Bicycle Day Award and Nobel Peace Prize nomination for community-led crisis response.
Learn More →Urban consulting agency working on sustainable cities, mobility planning, and climate-resilient urban design across India.
Delivering thesis-based investing for urban sustainability, waste management, energy transition, and sustainable materials.
Redefining the way power is delivered for vehicles and built forms through innovative energy solutions.
Waste management startup innovating in circular economy solutions and sustainable waste processing.
Sathya Sankaran is an urban technologist, policy expert, and change-maker with 30 years of experience in sustainable mobility and energy transition. He is the CEO of WattsNext Energy, Bicycle Mayor of Bengaluru, author of "Break the Block," and host of the OoruLabs podcast. He leads multiple initiatives in urban planning, cycling infrastructure, and climate-friendly city development.
AltMo is a gamified mobility intelligence platform that helps cities become climate-friendly through data-driven urban planning. It enabled a 342% increase in cycling and walking infrastructure allocation in Bengaluru's Comprehensive Master Plan, established over 20 km of cycle tracks, won Silvassa Smart City an Excellence in Innovation award, and now helps corporations meet their ESG goals.
OoruLabs is India's premiere urban affairs podcast hosted by Sathya Sankaran. It explores critical topics in urban planning, governance, infrastructure development, and civic engagement through in-depth conversations with policymakers, activists, urban planners, and subject matter experts working on Indian cities.
Relief Riders was a community-led COVID-19 pandemic response initiative that mobilized sustainable mobility for crisis support. It spread across 12 cities with over 600 volunteers, won the 2021 UN World Bicycle Day Special Award, and was nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize for its innovative approach to using cycling for community service during the pandemic.
Sathya Sankaran holds a degree in Computer Science and a postgraduate degree in Public Policy. This unique combination of technical and policy education enables him to approach urban challenges with both technological innovation and policy expertise, making him effective in creating data-driven solutions for sustainable cities.
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