Urbanisation: from a challenge to an opportunity at “National Summit on Inclusive Urban Development

23 October 2013

 

The Indian State of Gujarat – which has seen an unprecedented upsurge in economic growth and urbanization over the last few years – has consistently converted impending challenges into opportunities. 

 

Vibrant Gujarat 2013: National Summit on Inclusive Urban Development, which was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 17 October 2013, showcased such success stories of people and cities that have treated urbanization as an opportunity for growth. The summit, which witnessed an esteemed line-up of guests and representatives like Shri Narendra Singh Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, officials from Tanzania and Japan,  ministers from the state of Gujarat , urban experts as well as mayors and councillors of Indian and international cities, and other reputed guests, provided the latest views of national and international experts on the country’s urban development needs, and opportunities for investments with a focus on new and innovative ways to finance, design and build projects for inclusive urban development.  

 

The event, organized by the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department Government of Gujarat and the All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG), in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), PwC and ICLEI South Asia, brought together senior government officials, policy and decision makers, development institutions, urban planners and related stakeholders to discuss sustainable urban development paradigms. Participating cities had the opportunity to meet other key decision makers and policy planners to comprehend the latest urban infrastructure developments in India and Gujarat, as well as access exclusive key note sessions and discussions on challenges and way forward for inclusive urban growth and development. 

 

ICLEI South Asia contributed to the dissemination of such good practices by bringing to the event a series of prominent city representatives from South Asia and beyond: Mr. Hilmy Mohamed, Mayor of Matale and Mr. Nimal Chandrasisri De Silva, Deputy Mayor of Kurunegala (Sri Lanka); Mr. Mohamed Anwar, Secretary General of  Male (Maldives); Mr. Raju Shrestha, Administrative Chief of Kathmandu (Nepal); Mayor Kinlay Dorjee and Councillor Ugyen Penjor from Thimphu (Bhutan); Ms. Leticia O Clemente from Baguio and Ms. Verselie E. Limos, from San Fernando (Philippines). The respective Mayors of Thimphu and Matale had the privilege of being a part of the luncheon discussion with the Chief Minister and the Minister for Urban Development, Ms. Anandiben Patel.

 

Mr. Hilmy Mohamed, Mayor of Matale, commented, “Coming here allowed me to witness the amazing achievements of various cities in the state of Gujarat, visit some interesting initiatives and hear a lot about sustainable urban growth. Mahatma Gandhi had visited Matale already in 1927! I see my presence here as an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between my city and my country with his legacy in Gujarat and India”. Mayor Mohamed’s satisfaction with the event was mirrored by the words of Mr. Kinley Dorji, Mayor of Thimphu, “I was very impressed to see the Bus Rapid Transit system operating in Ahmedabad as well as the leadership the State of Gujarat has showed in implementing such initiatives; the discussion and the event venue were very inspiring too.”

 

The summit helped these and the other participants in widening their horizon on urbanization and the increasing need for all to have an inclusive urban development. 

 

Urbanisation: from a challenge to an opportunity at “National Summit on Inclusive Urban Development
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