Sustainability isn’t a choice.
it’s our responsibility to develop spaces that harmonize with nature’s rhythm and longevity.
Priyanka Kochhar is a preeminent expert and leader in promoting sustainable habitats within India’s built environment sector. With nearly two decades of wide-ranging experience spanning research, education, policymaking, business leadership, and advisory roles, Dr. Kochhar brings a multidisciplinary perspective to advancing green building practices across architecture, construction, and urban planning.
Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of The Habitat Emprise consulting firm, Dr. Kochhar spearheads strategies for embedding sustainability into India’s habitat development. In tandem with her leadership at The Habitat Emprise, she lends her specialized expertise as an advisor and mentor to several prestigious organizations including UN-Habitat, Research Triangle Institute International, the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, and POP Habitat.
Dr. Kochhar’s career has been defined by pioneering contributions that have helped catalyze the adoption of green building rating systems in India. She played an instrumental role in developing GRIHA, the country’s nationally recognized green rating program, as well as dramatically increasing the adoption of USGBC’s LEED system nationwide during her tenure at the Green Business Certification Institute. Her efforts have centered on designing tools, building capacity, and advocating for policies that incentivize sustainable construction practices across both the public and private sectors.
Prior to her current roles, Dr. Kochhar held influential positions at respected institutions like The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), GRIHA Council, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and academic appointments teaching sustainability subjects at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi and the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her research has explored critical topics such as lifecycle cost analysis of green buildings and urban healthcare infrastructure development.
Dr. Kochhar’s multifaceted background encompasses spearheading national and international research studies, developing building rating systems and policies, designing sustainable urban development programs, capacity building through training workshops and conferences, providing advisory services to government and industry, and academic instruction. This diverse experience has equipped her with comprehensive expertise spanning the technical, financial, policy, capacity-building, and implementation aspects of embedding sustainability into India’s built environment.
Recognized as a thought leader in her field, Dr. Kochhar has authored over 30 publications including books, white papers, journal articles, policy briefs and newspaper articles. Her insights have been featured at over 120 international conferences. She has also provided her expert inputs to develop standards and professional certifications related to green buildings and sustainable cooling systems.
With qualifications including a PhD in Architecture, Masters in Environment Conservation, and Bachelor in Architecture along with numerous honors and professional memberships, Dr. Priyanka Kochhar exemplifies the multidisciplinary capabilities and holistic perspective required to drive the sustainable development of India’s habitats. Her passion for environmental stewardship, her technical prowess, and her commitment to capacity-building make her a valuable asset for organizations aiming to minimize their environmental footprint and construct a greener future.