NIUA U20 team at the Mayoral Summit in Ahmedabad

Communiqué handover to G20 (L-R: Emilia Saiz, S.G, UCLG; Kirit Parmar, Mayor, Ahmedabad; Hardeep S. Puri, Minister-H&UA; Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa; M. Thennarasan, Commissioner, AMC; Kevin Austin, Deputy Executive Director, C40 Cities)

NIUA U20 team celebrating the launch of the Communiqué

Urban 20 Mayoral Summit

Gujarat CM, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel at the U20 Mayoral Summit

Deliberations during the second Closed-door meeting on 'Accelerating Climate Finance'

Deliberations during the second Closed-door meeting on 'Accelerating Climate Finance'

Panellists at the thematic session on Championing ‘Local’ Culture and Economy

Speakers at the spotlight session on 'Mainstreaming Women, Youth and Children in Urban Development'

NIUA Director, Shri Hitesh Vaidya with G20 Sherpa, Shri Amitabh Kant at the U20 Urban Exhibition, 'India’s Urban Story'

Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA addressing the Urban 20 Mayoral Summit

U20 Manthan on 'Manhole to Machine-hole: Implementable Solutions for Indian Cities', organised jointly by NIUA and the NFSSM Alliance

NIUA Assisted Ahmedabad in Successfully Organising Urban 20 Mayoral Summit

U20

The Urban 20 Mayoral Summit in Ahmedabad held on 7-8 July 2023 saw the participation of over 430 delegates from more than 90 cities, including 132 foreign delegates, NIUA team contributed to the following:

1. Design and finalisation of the Communiqué, achieving an impressive count of 105 endorsements for the document
2. Launched six White Papers, expertly crafted by a distinguished Task Force of global sectoral experts and anchored by NIUA, the technical secretariat of Urban 20 India, 2023.
3. Conceptualised and expertly conducted six thematic sessions on the Urban 20 priorities, as well as six spotlight sessions in collaboration with partner organisations during the Summit.
4. Skilfully curated the exhibition space titled ‘India's Urban Story’, which thoughtfully reflected on the past, observed the present, and envisioned the future of urban India across the six priority areas of Urban20.
5. Social media outreach for the Mayoral Summit by creating collaterals, standees, and banners. U20 Ahmedabad successfully trended at #2 on Twitter during the Summit, with approximately 500 tweets posted in just two days. Additionally, four press releases were drafted for the Summit.
6. Successfully launched four magazines, namely Urban Update (Vol 9, Issue 3), Urban Renaissance, Global Cooperation: The G20 Way, India and the World: The G20 Way (Vol 5, Number 6, Special edition), and a special issue of the e-gov magazine (Vol 19, Issue 10).
7. Organised the 10th U20 Manthan, focusing on the topic ‘Manhole to Machinehole: Implementable Solutions for Indian Cities’, which saw panellists share valuable insights on the issues faced by sanitation workers in Indian cities. The webinar featured distinguished panellists from UMC, Nellore Municipal Corporation, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, ASCI, and the Government of Odisha.
8. Participated in weekly meetings with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and global convenors.

Training organisers and the participants of the Jabalpur Training

Training on Inclusion and Accessibility in Jabalpur

Building Accessible, Safe and Inclusive Indian Cities (BASIIC)

BASIIC at NIUA in collaboration with 'I for Humanity Foundation' conducted a training workshop on 'Universal Design and Inclusion in Indian Cities' in Jabalpur on 28 July 2023. The training provided information on Inclusive Planning, Universal Accessibility, and Universal Design in Internal and External Elements with a focus on accessible infrastructure facilities for persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, and children.

The workshop had officials participating from the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation, Jabalpur Smart City, Jabalpur Development Authority, and other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), including urban planners, engineers, and other senior officials. Through various activities, the workshop also made an effort to create awareness and sensitise participants on the challenges faced by such groups in public spaces.

Panel Discussion on 'Making Data Work for People'

Panel Discussion on 'Making Data Work for People'

Spotlight Sessions at the U20 Mayoral Summit

Building Accessible, Safe and Inclusive Indian Cities (BASIIC)

Under the U20 Mayoral Summit, BASIIC at NIUA and UNESCO curated two spotlight sessions 'Mainstreaming Women, Youth & Children in Urban Development' and 'Making Data Work for People' on 7 and 8 July 2023 respectively.

The former session was curated by BASIIC at NIUA, UNICEF India and UN Women. It comprised of a panel discussion on inter-sectoral planning, regulatory aspects, private sector engagement, care economy investment, and implementation challenges for addressing issues related to gender, youth and children. The session was addressed by  Cynthia McCaffrey, Country Representative, UNICEF India Country Office ands Kanta Singh, Deputy Representative, UN-Women India and  Rahul Kapoor, JS MoHUA.

Key knowledge products were also launched in the session, which included - 'Mainstreaming Women-led Urban Framework', 'Leave No One Behind - Policy Framework on Urban Social Protection', 'Mainstreaming Urban Children and Youth Priorities into Planning and Governance: Need and Significance of a Data System', and 'A Compendium on Environmentally and Economically Sustainable Child & Youth Friendly Cities'.

The second session focused on the role of data in designing disabled-friendly cities of the future. The session was addressed by Hitesh Vaidya, Director, NIUA and H. Ibnu Sina with the Hon’ble Mayor of Banjarmasin delivering the opening and keynote addresses. The context setting was done by Chand Kaushil, Head ICT – Innovations and Solutions, United Nations, Eunsong Kim, Programme Specialist and Head of Social and Human Sciences Unit, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in New Delhi, and Abdolmotahar Mohammadkhani, Spokesman of Tehran Municipality.

The session comprised a panel discussion moderated by Undral Ganbaatar, Programme Specialist and Chief of the Social and Human Sciences Unit, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Jakarta. The session highlighted both public and private sector initiatives covering aspects of planning, governance and innovative use of technology. These practices highlighted the challenges and the methods adopted to address these challenges for promoting inclusive urban environments. The report 'Making Data Work for Persons with Disabilities' was launched in this session.

Launch of the report 'Making Data Work for Persons with Disabilities' at the U20 Mayoral Summit

Launch of the report 'Making Data Work for Persons with Disabilities' at the U20 Mayoral Summit

Launch of Report on 'Making Data Work for Persons with Disabilities'

Building Accessible, Safe and Inclusive Indian Cities (BASIIC)

BASIIC and UNESCO New Delhi co-published the report 'Making Data Work for Persons with Disabilities'. This report was launched on 8 July 2023 at the Urban 20 India Mayoral Summit by H. Ibnu Sina, Mayor of Banjarmasin, Chand Kaushil, Head, ICT- Innovations and Solutions, United Nations, Abdolmotahar Mohammadkhani, Spokesman of Tehran Municipality and Hitesh Vaidya, Director, (NIUA).

The report details persons with disabilities' access to basic and essential services. The report offers key sectoral insights derived from the on-ground data collection under the GUIDE initiative. It presents a participatory approach, incorporating the voices and perspectives of both persons with disabilities and service providers. Recommendations reflect collective knowledge, grounded in the realities and aspirations of the community. By combining rigorous data analysis with these recommendations, evidence-based planning and targeted interventions, this report aims to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities and other marginalised communities living in urban areas.

Participants of the Knowledge Exchange Program

NIUA Officials Attends 'Public Finance for Children (PF4C)' Knowledge Exchange Program

Building Accessible, Safe and Inclusive Indian Cities (BASIIC)

Veronica Q Wijunamai and Aditi Chadha from NIUA participated at the UNICEF South-South Public Finance for Children (PF4C) Knowledge Exchange Program. This knowledge exchange program focussed on identifying ways to ensure that adequate consideration is given to children in planning and budgeting processes.

The primary thematic area of discussion were on- Child budgeting; Social sector financing; Disaster risk financing and Action Plans.

Key takeways include: -

1. Investing in children yields remarkable outcomes, leading to the development of a better Human Development Index (HDI)
2. Cities that are fit for children and persons with disabilities are fit for all 

Early investment for children needs to be done by assessment at the right level for education, on primary health care and one that targets the poorest households.

Launch of the knowledge product on the 'World Environment Day'

A map of practices covered in this document exhibited at the Summit

'Traditional and Indigenous Practices for Climate Resilience in India' Knowledge Product Exhibited

Climate Centre for Cities (C-Cube)

The knowledge product ‘Traditional and Indigenous Practices for Climate Resilience in India’ was exhibited as a part of Pro-Sustainablity theme at the Urban 20 Mayoral Summit in Ahmedabad on 7-8 July 2023. The document mainstreams indigenous knowledge and practices to the forefront of the urban fabric of India. Each practice is designed with an aim to facilitate knowledge dissemination amongst urban practitioners, inspiring urban local bodies (ULBs) to successfully adapt them within their jurisdiction as part of achieving climatic resilience and also acquaint the present generation with their roots.

A compilation of 25 practices across 5 core areas: land management, water security, urban ecology, food security, and circularity to expose readers to the scientific details and consolidated information necessary to support the urban relevance. Each practice is determined, based on scale and cost of implementation that address various hazards such as floods, heatwaves, soil erosion, drought, and forest fires thereby endeavouring to achieve climatic resilience.

The document connects these practices to the indicators outlined in the ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF) and the objectives of the Urban River Management System (URMP). In addition, it is mapped to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Missions, international frameworks, and funding agencies. Since this document targets city officials, policymakers, academics, and researchers, it explores the implementation methods for each practice.

Launch of the State of Cities compendium

Launch of ‘State of Cities: Towards Low Carbon and Resilient Pathways' Compendium

City Climate Alliance

'State of Cities: Towards Low Carbon and Resilient Pathways', a ground-breaking report that tells the story of Indian cities and their climate challenges in a global context was released at the U20 Mayoral Summit in Ahmedabad on 6-7 July 2023.

This visually engaging report, created by NIUA and ICLEI South Asia, presents data on Electricity Consumption, GHG Emissions, and Climate Interventions in 15 Indian cities. The report encourages urban stakeholders to take action and accelerate their climate journeys to meet global and national climate goals, thereby working towards a sustainable future for our cities.

Launch of the Gender Compendium

Launch of the Gender Compendium: 'Mainstreaming Women-led Urban Frameworks'

City Climate Alliance

The report ‘Mainstreaming Women-Led Urban Frameworks’ has been curated by UN Women, Kubernein Initiative, and City Climate Alliance of NIUA, which serves as an introductory guide to the fundamental principles and strategies that underpin the creation of an urban gender action framework, highlighting the context and need to integrate gender perspectives within urban strategy.

Youth-led Climate Action Framework

Creating a Youth-led Climate Action Framework

City Climate Alliance

With the intention to institutionalise youth engagement for urban climate action, the City Climate Alliance, C-CUBE with the support of the Urban Youth Unit, NIUA in collaboration with Youth Ki Awaaz, is currently developing an engagement framework that bridges the gaps between youth and urban authorities for achieving inclusive and desirable climate-oriented outcomes.

In order to kickstart the development of the youth-led urban framework, a multi-stakeholder focused group discussion was recently held with various domain experts and public stakeholders. The discussants deliberated on the essential considerations, existing practices and gaps associated with youth participation for urban climate action. Therein, opportunities with respect to responsible behaviours for environment, innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainable urban communities and equitable and inclusive involvement were highlighted.

This insightful discussion was the first milestone in the larger journey of NIUA and Youth Ki Awaaz’s collaboration.

Preparing Urban River Management Plan

State-Level Workshop on ‘Preparing Urban River Management Plan’ in Ayodhya Organised

Water & Environment

NIUA and NMCG organised a two-day state-level workshop on ‘Preparing Urban River Management Plan' on 5-6 July 2023 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The workshop focused on introducing the Urban River Management Plan Framework, which serves as a comprehensive guideline for cities to enhance the management of their rivers.

Officials from 18 cities across Uttar Pradesh actively participated in this workshop. Sh. Vishal Singh, the Municipal Commissioner of Ayodhya Nagar Nigam, addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of effective river management in our cities. Two cities, Pilibhit and Badaun, were also officially onboarded into the River Cities Alliance.

NIUA's Rahul Sachdeva in the session on 'RECOURSE' - Resilient Community Opportunities & Urban Services

NIUA at WRI India's Connect Karo 2023 event

Water & Environment

Rahul Sachdeva, Senior Program Specialist with the Water and Environment Vertical was a speaker at WRI India’s Connect Karo event on 17 July 2023. He participated in the session on 'RECOURSE' - Resilient Community Opportunities and Urban Services, a roundtable that highlighted building community resilience for water, sanitation and healthy space services.

Rahul and other experts shared insights from their first-hand experiences working with communities and government stakeholders and presented insights on the existing models of community resilience building. They also discussed opportunities of scaling up these models for water supply, sanitation and healthy space services provision.

French Climate Ambassador at the closing ceremony

Audience at the Urban Climate Film Festival in Chennai

Chennai Edition of 'Urban Climate Film Festival' Receives Overwhelming Response

City Investments To Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS)

After its success in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad, the Urban Climate Film Festival was held in Chennai on 27-29 July 2023. 17 films from 10 countries like India, France, Iran and the USA were screened over three days at Alliance Française of Madras.

A panel discussion on the role of cinema in the push against climate change was held on 28 July 2023. The speakers included Shekhar Kumar Niraj (IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Secretary of Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board), Sonia Elizabeth Prasadam (Assistant Professor, Madras School of Social Work), and Muralikrishnan Chinnadurai (media professional).

The closing ceremony on 29 July 2023 was graced by the Climate Ambassador of France Stéphane Crouzat, French Consul General Lise Talbot-Barré, Commissioner of Chennai Dr J. Radhakrishnan, IAS, and NIUA Director Hitesh Vaidya. "A Roadmap for Creating Livable Cities", a report developed under CITIIS by the Urban Design Collective, was also launched during the ceremony.

Training session for AMRUT Consultants in Odisha

Participants engaging in discussions during the workshop

CITIIS Organises Training Workshops for AMRUT Consultants in Odisha

City Investments To Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS)

Under Amrut 2.0, the Government of Odisha has recruited nearly 80 consultants/junior consultants/coordinators and TULIP interns to monitor water supply projects across ULBs. CITIIS, in collaboration with the Odisha Urban Academy and Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO), supported the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) of Odisha in conducting an orientation session for selected AMRUT consultants.

The sessions were held in two batches on 12-13 July and 17-18 July in Bhubaneswar. Close to 35 consultants attended each session. The training sessions aimed to orient the new recruits with H&UDD, PHEO and AMRUT 2.0, help them understand urban water supply systems, build technical and managerial skills needed for water supply projects, and develop team spirit and leadership abilities. The training program is expected to prepare the AMRUT consultants for planning and designing water supply projects, monitoring projects, engaging with communities and managing stakeholders, handling data, and evaluating impacts.

Participants during a session at the workshop

Participants from cities, private players and other partners that attended the workshop

Welcome address by Mr. Hitesh Vaidya, Director, NIUA

The workshop was inaugurated with lighting the lamp by Ms. Roopa Mishra, JS and Director (SBM), MoHUA and other dignitaries

Organizing team at NIUA, the World Bank and IFC

Conference on ‘Waste Management in India: Supporting the Transition’ Organised

Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot In India (SCIAP)

NIUA, in collaboration with The World Bank and IFC-International Finance Corporation, with the support of MoHUA, hosted a two-day workshop on Waste Management in India- 'Supporting the Transition' on 8-9 June 2023 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The event successfully brought together 150 participants, including representatives from 30 Indian states and over 40 partners, across the globe, to exchange ideas, spark innovative solutions, and drive positive change, in the fields of waste management and circularity. This workshop was a testament of the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving sustainable practices and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

The key highlights of the two-day workshop were:

1. Invaluable knowledge and expertise was gained from renowned experts, for sustainable waste management practices for Indian cities.
2. Fostered connections and collaborations among city managers, private players, and industry leaders, facilitating the sharing of good practices and joint efforts to build more sustainable cities.
3. Practical approaches to remediate dumpsites, the potential of bio-mining, waste-to-energy and waste to biogas, as sustainable and economically viable solutions was recognised, urging stakeholders to embrace these innovative approaches.
4. The importance of cleanliness as a celebration and the exemplary efforts of lighthouse cities like Surat and Indore encouraged others to follow their lead.
5. Innovative approaches such as the use of AI in the contamination identification of waste products and green hydrogen manufacturing from waste, along with the need for separate industrial classification, plastic credits, streamlined approvals, and effective waste management planning were discussed.

Commencement of the Masterclass

Discussion of way-forward of the event

Inaugural Session at the Workshop

Participating representatives

NIUA Hosts National Workshop on ‘Effective Capacity Building in Citywide Sanitation’

Sanitation Capacity Building Platform (SCBP)

In pursuit of effective sanitation capacity building, NIUA organised a national workshop on ‘Effective Capacity Building for Citywide Sanitation’  on 21July 2023. The event  facilitated cross-learning from diverse pan-India experiences with various Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs, fostering a vibrant community of urban practitioners committed to ensuring inclusive and effective sanitation services for all.

The workshop featured esteemed speakers. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Former DG National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), stressed the importance of training programs and  need for strong links between various training institutes and the Government of India while emphasising the significance of Sustainable Development Goal 6 for Sanitation and Water. S.D. Sharma, JS-DoPT, delved into the role of civil services in policy-making and delivering public services. He highlighted the significance of the Mission Karamyogi Platform and its various courses. Roopa Mishra, JS MoHUA, emphasised the need for a robust capacity building plan and collaboration with potential partners. Praveen Pardeshi, Member Administration of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), GoI, emphasised the importance of training tools, behavioral change, technical knowledge, and a holistic approach to capacity building, including the necessity for comprehensive assessments.

The workshop had around 90 attendees, including representatives from various Administrative Training Institutes and government/non-government bodies, as well as key government organisations like MoHUA and CBC. Rahul Kapoor, JS NULM, MoHUA, and Hitesh Vaidya, Director NIUA discussed the way forward.

The event covered a wide range of topics, including Mainstreaming Capacity Building Initiatives and Innovations in the programs, Digital Learning Dissemination, and Experience Sharing on Creating and Sustaining Programs. The workshop also featured insightful panel discussions and a Masterclass.

Beginning of the Workshop

Participants at the Consultation Workshop

Dr. Mahreen Matto presenting on behalf of NIUA

NIUA Participated in Workshop on Sustainable Human Mountain Settlement, Nepal

Sanitation Capacity Building Platform (SCBP)

NIUA participated at the two-day regional consultation workshop on ‘Sustainable Human Mountain Settlement’ organised by ICIMOD on 10–11 July 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal. It brought together government officials, researchers, scientists, planners, and policy think tanks from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region to discuss current discourse on human settlements, particularly focusing on the mountains, and to finalise a methodological approach for scoping assessment and mapping out related actors in the field.

The Objectives of the workshop were:

1. Take stock of key challenges and opportunities (existing policies and regulations, environment, economy, demography, land-use planning, building standards, and infrastructure) for the sustainability of human mountain settlements.
2. Co-develop a methodological approach for a scoping assessment of sustainable human settlements across the HKH countries.
3. Map out potential actors working on human settlements within the HKH region and beyond, and their experience and expertise.

The participants discussed challenges, opportunities, and characteristics unique to these regions. Policies and their adoption levels were reviewed, while priority areas for sustainable settlement assessments and relevant indicators were explored.

The event also identified key national, regional, and global actors working on human settlements within the HKH region and beyond, setting the stage for holistic solutions in mountain communities. The inputs will help in drafting ICIMODʼs new Strategy 2030 and implementing its fifth Medium-term Action plan (2023–2026), a new intervention ʻSustainable Human Mountain Settlementʼ with the aim to bridge data and knowledge gaps and foster collaboration for enhancing sustainability and resilience of mountain settlements across the HKH region. 

Report on ‘Data and Technology to Drive Liveable Cities' released

Report on ‘Data and Technology to Drive Liveable Cities' Released

National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM)

In Urban 20 Summit at Ahmedabad, Shri Hitesh Vaidya, Director, NIUA released the report on 'Data and Technology to Drive Liveable Cities’. The report highlights the critical role of data-driven, decision-making and technological advancements in driving urban management.

SUDM in Uttar Pradesh

NUDM Provides Technical Inputs for UP State Urban Digital Mission (SUDM)

National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM)

On 21 July 2023, the NUDM team participated in a session organised by the Chief Secretary of Urban Development, Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Amrit Abhijat, to facilitate the integration of CCTV cameras at public places with the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC).

During the session, the NUDM team gave technical inputs and deliberated upon SUDM to chart the way forward in the state.  

NUDM Team in Kerala

NUDM Team Visit Kerala for Review of Citizen-Centric Services Progress

National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM)

On 11 July 2023, NUDM team visited Kerala attending the review of NUDM activities progress by IKM chaired by Hon’ble Minister LSGD, Shri M B Rajesh. The meeting focused on the progress made on the state’s plan to go-live with citizen centric services on 1 November 2023.

A detailed discussion was held with ACS, Smt Sarada Muraleedharan, LSGD, on preparation of State Urban Digital Plan as part of the Pilot initiative under NUDM. The meeting was attended by Officials from LSGD and IKM.

Pankaj Sharma in first webinar of SUDSC II on 'Enhancing Service Delivery Through Integrated Digital Systems'

NUDM Participates in 'Sustainable Urban Development- Smart Cities II' (SUDSC II) Webinar

National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM)

Pankaj Sharma, Regional Lead, NUDM participated in the first webinar of the SUDSC II webinar series on 'Enhancing Service Delivery through Integrated Digital Systems' organised jointly by the NIUA and GIZ under the SUDC II project on 26 July 2023.

He discussed the transformative power of digital technologies in cities, addressing the challenges like data security, capacity building and more. He mentioned that by leveraging integrated digital systems like UPYOG, cities can now enhance service delivery, making it more efficient and adaptive to residents' needs.

UPYOG Implementation in Uttarakhand

UPYOG Implementation in Uttarakhand Discussed

National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM)

The way forward for UPYOG implementation in Uttarakhand was discussed on 6 July 2023 at DULB (Department of Urban Local Bodies), by Navneet Pande,Director and. Ashok Pandey, Assistant Director along with the DULB Tech team.

The state has initiated integration for three modules on the National Dashboard marking a significant milestone in enhancing urban services and ensuring a smarter, more efficient future.

NULP Hosts State Engagement Session

NULP Hosts State Engagement Session

NULP Hosts State Engagement Session

NULP Hosts State Engagement Session in Madhya Pradesh

National Urban Learning Platform (NULP)

Team NULP conducted a state-level activation workshop on 18 July 2023 for Urban Local Bodies of Madhya Pradesh (MP) in association with Urban Administration and Development Department (UADD), Jabalpur. 47+ Urban Local Bodies with over 100 officials participated, which comprised of Chief Municipal Officers and Executive Engineers. The event was graced by Parmesh Jalote, Joint Director, UADD Jabalpur and Rahul Singh Rajput, Municipal Commissioner, Chhindwara.

During the workshop, the NULP team provided the officials with a comprehensive walkthrough and conducted live demonstrations of the platform. Participants shared their specific learning needs and demonstrated interest in adopting the platform. As a way forward, NULP plans to onboard a MP officials, provide training to ensure a smooth and successful integration with the NULP platform.

NULP Empowering Urban Local Bodies

NULP Empowering Urban Local Bodies

NULP Empowering Urban Local Bodies in Jharkhand

National Urban Learning Platform (NULP)

Team NULP, in collaboration with the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), Jharkhand conducted a state-level activation workshop at Ranchi,providing valuable insights and promoting the adoption of NULP among the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Jharkhand.

75 participants from 35 ULBs participated, comprising of Chief Municipal Officers, Executive Engineers, City Managers and other key stakeholders representing ULBs in the region. NIUA’s Debjani Ghosh, provided a comprehensive overview of NULP. Amit Kumar, Director of SUDA, Jharkhand, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the pivotal role of NULP and its relevance in Jharkhand's urban development landscape.

Enhancing Urban Development Through Accessibility and Inclusion

Enhancing Urban Development Through Accessibility and Inclusion

Enhancing Urban Development Through Accessibility and Inclusion: A Collaboration between NIUA and IIT-KGP

National Urban Learning Platform (NULP)

NIUA has joined hands with its content partner Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) to integrate the principles of safety, accessibility & inclusivity into planning of public places through the course titled ‘Accessibility and Inclusion in Urban Development: Thematic Area - Public Spaces’. The Inclusive City Framework (ICF), a foundation for fostering inclusive urban environments was prepared by NIUA and IIT-KGP as a part of the BASIIC program.

The NULP platform in June 2023 launched the self-paced courses which are now accessible to urban practitioners and academia alike for consumption. By leveraging NULP as the platform for disseminating the ICF, IIT-KGP has crafted a comprehensive course that empowers learners with practical insights and effective strategies for integrating accessibility and inclusivity principles into urban planning. Click here to access the course.

Results for 'The अrban Learnathon 2023'

NULP Announces the Results for 'The अrban Learnathon 2023'

National Urban Learning Platform (NULP)

NULP announced the much-awaited results of the nation-wide challenge 'The अrban Learnathon' which reverberated with the spirit of celebrating urban local solutions from diverse regions of India.

Following a rigorous voting process, the winners were unveiled on 27 July 2023, whose submissions demonstrated unparalleled innovation and ingenuity. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional teams, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to urban development by presenting sustainable and transformative solutions to pressing urban challenges.

The official winner's list is released on the NULP website.

Shri Pommala Sunil Kumar, Regional Commissioner, Belagavi Revenue Division, Government of Karnataka shares Karnataka’s good practices in land records registration and mutation

Technical Support to MoHUA for the Third National Conference of Chief Secretaries

The National Conference of Chief Secretaries is a pivotal step in fostering cooperative federalism in the country. The Third Conference is scheduled to be held in October or November 2023, the theme for which is Promoting Ease of Living, under which five sub-themes have been identified. MoHUA will focus on the sub-theme of land and property, covering both urban and rural sectors on ease in access to schemes, and ensuring quality of service delivery, with support from a technical team deputed from NIUA.

The second preparatory workshop under the Conference was organised on 15 July 2023, to seek inputs from states and union territories to identify issues and good practices within the sub-theme, under the Chairmanship of Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA. The workshop was a closed-door event attended by 92 representatives from 21 states and union territories, departments and think tanks under the Government of India. Three sessions were organised on the topics of urban land records and mutation, property tax payment, and online building permit system.

Team UrbanShift with Shri. Shivraj Meena, Regional Administrator, Mahe, Government of Puducherry

Team UrbanShift with Shri. Satyabadi Nayak, Member Secretary, Yanam, Government of Puducherry

Team UrbanShift with Shri. A. Kulothungan, District Collector, Karaikal, Government of Puducherry

Team UrbanShift with Shri. R. Kesavan, Secretary (Housing and Town Planning), Thiru. M. Kandar Selvan, Member Secretary and Chief Town Planner, and other esteemed officials from Puducherry Town and Country Planning Department

Team UrbanShift with Thiru. A. Elango, Junior Town Planner, Puducherry Town and Country Planning Department

Team UrbanShift visits partner city Puducherry

A delegation comprising of the Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) at NIUA, along with representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and ICLEI South Asia, visited Puducherry and its regions, namely Karaikal (Tamil Nadu), Yanam (Andhra Pradesh), and Mahe (Kerala) from 23-29 July 2023.

During the visit, engagements were held with the stakeholders of these areas, facilitating a comprehension of the local context and specific requirements. The insights gained from this visit gave direction to the future course of action for Puducherry, namely: -

1. Review of the City Development Plans to anchor the principles of carbon neutrality.
2. Undertake studies to identify potential for implementation of Nature-based Solutions to enable low-emission resilient coastal development in Karaikal and Mahe.