AgendaThis ‘knowledge and dialogue’ series seeks to combine available knowledge with practical wisdom by sharing experiences, presenting new insights and findings, and sharing demonstrated models and innovations to bring transformative impact on the urban geographies and communities within smart, resilient and sustainable cities’ framework. The platform is supported by National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), and Institute for Smart, Resilient and Future Cities-Taru Leading Edge. The first series is supported by Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN) of the Rockefeller Foundation.
The past and current urban planning paradigm in India relies on land use planning, centralized lifeline services, large-scale asset & infrastructure creation; resulting in cities that have no boundaries. It follows a linear ‘take, make, dispose’ economic model, that heavily promotes resource consumption. In our pursuit for economies of scale in urban services, our cities have been facing several challenges and constraints on account of capacities, resources, and solutions that can make cities livable. We therefore need to look at larger engagement of all stakeholders including citizens in addressing some of these challenges. We need to build top-down and bottom-up synergy across scales, sectors and stakeholders. Devolution of functions through application of subsidiarity principle is necessary. Emerging ‘collaborative, circular and human economy’ can also provide multiple and shared value creation options and in empowering individuals and communities towards addressing pressing urban challenges. In this context clearly there is bigger role of urban citizen market in transforming the cities for better.
The first series of Urban-verse, therefore will focus on this theme through panel discussion format to understand its role, challenges in promoting it and opportunities. An eminent group of panelist will join this dialogue to discuss and share their thoughts.
The theme also contextualizes recently published book ‘Road to Resilience – II’ written by G.K Bhat, Chairperson (TARU) that will be released during the event.