Issue - 16
January 2024
Monthly
The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), a dedicated alliance of national governments and their respective river cities, was launched at #COP28 in Dubai, UAE on 10 December 2023.
Key Highlights:
This alliance signifies a collective commitment to addressing the challenges faced by river cities globally and emphasises the importance of sustainable and holistic river-centric development.
The India Infrastructure Report 2023 on Urban Planning and Development was released on 4 December 2023 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The launch was a momentous occasion marked by the virtual presence of Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Hon'ble former Vice-President of India, and Mr. Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa of India and former CEO, NITI Aayog, who served as the Chief Guest.
Collaborative Effort: The India Infrastructure Report 2023 is the result of a collaborative effort between the IDFC Foundation, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd. (iDeCK), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
Milestone in IIR Series: This report stands as a significant milestone in the acclaimed India Infrastructure Report (IIR) series, initiated by the IDFC Foundation in 2001.
Contributions by Experts: The India Infrastructure Report 2023 features 25 chapters authored by prominent names in the urban development and policy ecosystem, offering valuable insights into the current state of urban development in India.
Distinguished Speakers: The launch event included addresses by Shri Amitabh Kant, Sherpa, G-20, Dr. M. Ramachandran, Chairman IDFC Foundation and former Secretary Urban Development, Dr. O.P. Agarwal, Distinguished Fellow Niti Aayog and Chairman, Apex Committee of India Infrastructure Report 2023, and Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director (Additional Charge)-National Institute of Urban Affairs.
Other participants included: Mr. S. P. Singh (Additional Secretary-Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Vice President NIUA) and experts from Smart Cities Mission, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund India (UNICEF), United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), UN-Habitat India, The World Bank, Global Future Cities Programme FCDO and RTI International, among others, who enriched the discourse on urban development.
NIUA participated at the 17th edition of India's premier exhibition-cum-conference, Municipalika, held from 28-30 November 2023. NIUA actively participated as speakers, set up an informative pavilion, and engaged with over 500 delegates across the three days.
Event Highlights:
Pavilion Setup: NIUA's pavilion served as a hub for disseminating information about ongoing projects, research initiatives, and urban development solutions, attracting representatives from several Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), infrastructure developers, technical solution providers, and students and educators in the field.
Speakers Session - River City Alliance (RCA): The RCA team, represented by Rahul Sachdeva, Ishleen Kaur, and Nikita Madan, actively participated as speakers, presenting Urban River Management case studies and highlighting transformative actions in Ayodhya and Gwalior. The session emphasised the crucial role of cities in taking charge of their water management.
Award Recognition for RCA: The River City Alliance received a special mention and an award at Municipalika 2023, acknowledging its outstanding contributions in the field.
e-Governance Session: Pankaj Sharma, Regional Lead of NUDM at NIUA, addressed participants in the session on 'e-Governance' on November 29, 2023. He shared insights into the challenges in the urban ecosystem and the need to enhance digital urban service delivery, offering best practices for creating Safe, Smart, and Sustainable cities.
Inclusive Cities Centre (ICC)
Utsav Choudhury, representing the NIUA's ICC, participated at the 'Innovation & Impact' panel during the Inclusive India Digital First event, organised by Newzhook and BarrierBreak.
He highlighted the indispensable role of Assistive Technology (AT) in empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Emphasising the importance of recognising AT as a fundamental component within a broader ecosystem, the discussion aimed to shed light on the transformative potential of inclusive technologies. The conversation underscored the need to establish an enabling environment within the core city infrastructure, a crucial factor for the successful implementation of AT.
Key steps for Implementation:
NIUA remains committed to championing inclusivity through initiatives that recognize the transformative power of technology in enhancing the lives of all citizens
NIUA as a knowledge partner, led a training workshop at the 'Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment' conference in Delhi, organised by 'I for Humanity' on 21 December 2023.
Veronica Q Wijunamai along with Abhisikha Das facilitated the workshop, focusing on disability inclusion within the Indian context.
Participants, including policymakers, corporate/PSU representatives, and academic institutions, contributed to a diverse and engaging session. A simulation exercise was also conducted which helped participants to contextualise the varied needs and types of persons with disabilities. Further, amidst the discussions, key questions were raised;
The conference also featured Hon Sh. Kaushal Kishore, Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, as the chief guest, and special addresses by Sh. Rahul Kapoor, JS, MohUA, and Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director (AC), NIUA.
Climate Centre for Cities (C-Cube)
Punit Gandhi, Lead at C-Cube, served as speaker at COP28's side event on ‘Accelerating Global Climate Actions via Subnational Leadership’ during the South-South Capacities Day at the 5th Capacity Building Hub. It was organised on 08 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Key Highlights from COP28:
Access the full details through the link: https://lnkd.in/dpSevXs6
Anshul Abbasi, Lead (Policy and Planning), and Venkat Jayagopi, Senior Associate (Policy), from C-Cube participated in the recent Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) South Asia Regional Workshop held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 5 - 7 December 2023.
Key Highlights:
Jyoti Verma, Senior Environment Specialist at NIUA, represented NIUA at the recent Water Security and Climate Change Conference in Cuenca, Ecuador, held from 22-23 November 2023.
Key Highlights:
Global Participation: The conference witnessed the active involvement of over 170 scientists from 33 countries, delving into the multifaceted dimensions of water security and its relationship with climate variability and change. fostering a diverse and enriching exchange of ideas and insights.
Session on Building Climate Resilience in Water Systems: Jyoti took the stage in the session on 'Building Climate Resilience in Water Systems Strategies and Solutions,' shedding light on how NIUA’s Urban River Management (URMP), through its innovative strategies and solutions for urban river management, is bolstering climate resilience in urban areas.
Over 25 stakeholders came together to address the critical water challenges facing our city at the Delhi Water Forum (DWF) Consultation Meeting held on 1 December 2023 at NIUA.
Key Highlights:
NIUA remains committed to facilitating such crucial Shared Expertise dialogues that bring together diverse perspectives to find innovative and sustainable solutions to urban challenges.
To contribute to a greener Delhi and more water-sensitive citizens, a community-based tree census has been initiated under AIWASI. The tree census activity was rolled out for residents of Bakkarwala neighbourhood on 19 December 2023.
Key Highlights:
Following the launch of the CITIIS 2.0 Challenge on 16 November 2023 by the Honorable Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, the CITIIS 2.0 Regional Preparatory Workshops were held from 4-16 December 2023.
The workshops were organised in New Town Kolkata, Pune, Kochi and Chandigarh for all 100 Smart Cities across the country. More than 350 officials participated in the workshops, which were organised to guide the cities through the application process for the CITIIS 2.0 Challenge.
The workshops included technical sessions on integrated waste management and environmental and social safeguards, a walkthrough of the online application process, demonstration of the project logical framework, and a showcase of innovations by start-ups in India.
The CITIIS 2.0 Challenge is open to all 100 Smart Cities in India. Participating SPVs are required to submit their applications by 15 January 2024. Details about the program are available in the operational guidelines: https://bit.ly/CITIIS2Guidelines
A residential skill development training program was organised from 5-8 December 2023 for 52 core sanitation workers under the GARIMA initiative of the Housing & Urban Development Department of Odisha.
The training sessions were conducted in collaboration with the CITIIS program by the Odisha Urban Academy, with Urban Management Centre as the knowledge partner. As part of the GARIMA scheme, around 1500 core sanitation workers will undergo training that will equip them with vital skills and knowledge of safety protocols, machinery handling and confined space entry procedures.
The initiative is significant for its commitment to safeguard these professionals while ensuring they have dignity of labour.
#IndiaClimateDialogue on ‘The nexus of public health, air pollution and climate change’ discussed the importance of mitigating the coupled effects of air pollution and climate change by prioritising public health.
Keynote Speakers: Vandana Chavan, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Former Mayor, Pune.
Discussants: Ranjit Gadgil, Programme Director, Parisar Prof Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research), Indian School of Business and IPCC Author Dr Pallavi Pant, Head of Global Health, Health Effects Institute.
Moderator: Karthik Ganesan, Fellow and Director (Research Coordination), Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
The latest episode of #ClimateSimplified breaks down climate jargon like ‘Carbon credits’ and ‘IPCC’ to make the concept accessible and relatable.
Carbon Credits are tradable certificates that can be used by individuals/organisations to compensate for their carbon emissions. It is equivalent to 1 tonne of carbon dioxide or other Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) either absorbed or removed from the atmosphere.
IPCC, or Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, is a panel comprising 195 member countries and 1000+ experts who assess evidence on climate change, evaluate the impact of future risks, and explore options for mitigation and adaptation strategies and compile the findings into a synthesis report, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of climate change and informed strategies for addressing it.
Simplifying these concepts helps make climate discussions more inclusive and actionable. Understanding the basics empowers everyone to contribute to a more sustainable future.
The dialogue highlighted the importance of TOD in addressing climate change, offering both environmental and social benefits for sustainable urban development.
India’s transport sector contributes to 13.5 percent of the energy-related carbon emissions, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. While TOD emerged as one of the major tools to mitigate climate crisis by reducing carbon footprint, congestion, and pollution levels. It was also recognised as a strategy to build liveable urban neighbourhoods, promoting social sustainability.
Acknowledging both climatic and social benefits, the dialogue highlighted the imperative to view TOD as a catalyst for holistic development.
Key Discussants:
Moderator: Shinjini Saha, Project Officer, UrbanShift, NIUA.
The discussion showcased the transformative potential of TOD in creating safe, environmentally friendly, and socially inclusive urban spaces.
NIUA organised an onboarding meeting on 19 December 2023, bringing together 23 Swachhata Knowledge Partners (SKPs) committed to advancing the implementation of capacity-building and IEC initiatives under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, supported by the MoHUA. The meeting was attended by over 50 representatives of SKPs, comprising experts in solid waste management, used water management, and capacity building.
The primary objectives of the session were multifaceted:
(a) Delve into diverse capacity-building initiatives undertaken by SKPs across different regions of the country.
(b) Gain insights into innovations, prevailing best practices, available knowledge products, and necessary interventions in states/UTs for capacity building in SWM and UWM.
(c) Identify existing gaps in training modules, methodologies, potential stakeholders, and
(d) Discuss the challenges faced by SKPs in implementing the training.
The session witnessed the dynamic exchange of ideas, unveiling gaps and challenges in implementing capacity-building initiatives nationwide. A group activity was conducted to understand what the collective can offer in terms of knowledge management and capacity-building. Collectively, the group delved into innovative solutions, new training modules, advancements in training methodologies, and the importance of conducting thorough Training Needs Assessments (TNA) and post-training outcomes and assessments. This collaborative effort charts the course towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Dr. Mahreen Matto representing SCBP of NIUA, participated as a speaker in the Technical Consultation Workshop 'Promote Decent Work for Sanitation Workers in India: Focus on Hazardous and High-Risk Work' organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on 1 December 2023 at the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi.
Objectives of the technical consultation:
Dr. Matto emphasised identifying key gaps in the current legislative framework and practices for manual scavengers/workers in hazardous and high-risk work to enable them to avail the benefits of labor rights. Additionally, she exchanged good practices promoting decent work for sanitation workers in India and presented a collaborative way forward to improve their working conditions, aligning with the decent work framework and international legal standards.
Following the launch of the Hill forum 'PARVAT-MANTHAN: Manifestation of Clean and Sustainable Hill States', a workshop was organised for the Elected Representatives of the towns and cities in the Indian Himalayan Region on 4- 5 December 2023 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, in collaboration with BORDA- South Asia and Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI).
The workshop addressed waste and water challenges faced by cities and towns in the Indian Himalayan Region. It included sessions on 'Capacity and Skill Development of Municipal Functionaries' and 'Key Bottlenecks to WASH Service Delivery in the Indian Himalayan Region,' along with a talk on the 'Impact of Climate Change on WASH facilities.'
Participants were taken for exposure visits to New Moti Bagh Decentralised Wastewater and Solid Waste Treatment Facility, NDMC’s Solid Waste Transfer Station, and Innovative Public Toilets to enable the elected representatives to visualize similar utilities with minimal operational costs for their cities.
Dr. Mahreen Matto from NIUA's SCBP participated as a speaker in 'Inclusive Sanitation' organised by UN-Habitat in association with UNICEF and NIUA on 7 December 2023 in New Delhi. The session aimed to initiate a comprehensive discussion on the vital integration of inclusive sanitation practices within the context of sustainable development, which can effectively contribute to a more informed and effective policy formulation promoting engagement with PwDs.
Dr. Matto's emphasis was to ensure equitable access to clean and safe sanitation facilities for marginalized and vulnerable communities, especially PwDs. She discussed recommendations to foster an environment conducive to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) and the broader agenda of leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable and equitable development.
Shantanu Kumar Padhi from SCBP, represented NIUA at an event ‘Third Sociological Society Himachal Pradesh (SSHP) International Conference on Development in Mountains: Issues, Challenges, and Solutions’ organised by Govt. Degree College Darlaghat, Himachal Pradesh, coinciding with the International Mountains Day on 11 December 2023.
He presented NIUA’s initiative - Parvat Manthan: A forum for clean and sustainable hills, focusing on ‘Issues and Challenges with Development in Mountains’. He emphasised on advancing Citywide Inclusive and Resilient Sanitation, which significantly contributes to the sustainable development of the mountainous regions.
The session highlighted the importance of collaboration with academia—a key aspect of the Parvat Manthan Forum. This collaborative effort reinforces the commitment to address unique challenges faced by mountain communities for a sustainable and resilient future.
Centre for Digital Governance (CDG)
The first State Level High Powered Steering Committee (SHPC) of Karnataka was held on 2 December 2023 under the Chairmanship of Shri. Rakesh Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to review the ongoing NUDM pilot implementation and chart the way forward for the State.
This initiative reflects Karnataka's commitment to leveraging digital technologies for enhanced urban governance and development.
The fifth NUDM Program Review Committee (PRC) meeting was organised on 5th December 2023 at NIUA. The PRC meeting conducted thorough examination of the current status and progress of NUDM. The committee deliberated on the status and progress of the mission and provided the directions for the way forward.
NUDM team met with Shri Donald Phillips Wahlang, Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya on 13 December 2023, to discuss the way forward in realising the potential and driving digital transformation under NUDM in Meghalaya.
The NUDM Team met Shri Vikas Gupta, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary of DULB, Haryana on 21 December 2023. The meeting aimed to accelerate the National Urban Digital Mission, by discussing the strategic steps required for unleashing the full potential of digital transformation in Haryana's urban landscape.
Manpreet Singh, Chief Program Officer NUDM, NIUA, has been honoured with the prestigious recognition of the ‘Great Indian Digital Transformational Leader’ at the 4th Digital Transformations Summit and Awards 2023.
The Sixth session in the series of best practices for online delivery of urban services was organised by NIUA in association with the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The session organised on 30 November 2023 focussed on the topic, ‘Implementation of Capital Value system in Levy & Assessment of Property Tax by adopting Floor Rates in Andhra Pradesh’.
The discussion provides insights on the transition from Annual Rental Value (ARV) to Capital Value (CV) system for Property Tax calculation in Andhra Pradesh.
NULP has partnered with the UrbanShift Academy to create demand-based online courses. The UrbanShift Academy offers city officials and urban practitioners free access to eight self-paced online courses. The courses focus on urban planning themes that are critical to shaping low-carbon, climate-resilient and inclusive cities.
These courses will be hosted on NULP and will be made available soon for knowledge sharing amongst the urban practitioners community. The eight courses have been developed by experts at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Resources Institute (WRI), C40 Cities, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and other leading organisations in this space.
Redefining the approach of capacity building, NULP is an on-demand skilling tool to build India’s largest digital learning community of Urban practitioners.
As a part of its Scale-up and Sustainability (S&S) phase, NULP launched its new version 3.0 with several features such as Discussion Forums, Monitoring Dashboard, and an Invite-Only feature, along with essential learning programs.
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