Press Release
NITI and ULBs Emphasise Collaboration for Smart Cities
September 2, New Delhi: Acting as a bridge between knowledge facilitators and state
governments who are project implementers, NITI Aayog organised a workshop on finding
solutions to the various challenges that India’s Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are facing in
developing smart cities. A report proposing a Reference Framework for Smart Cities, prepared
by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru, was also released
at this event.
“Urbanisation is inevitable, but resource utilisation has been inefficient. The Smart Cities
Mission is rightly positioned to enable better planning for our cities. Mind-set change will be a
significant outcome of this initiative on smart cities and NITI will be a facilitator of this change,”
said Bibek Debroy, Member, NITI Aayog.
The workshop was attended by nearly 100 representatives from 27 states belonging to urban
development departments of the state government and municipal corporations of various cities.
Some of the key concerns raised by them included the lack of implementation of the 74th
Amendment (devolution of power to the state), need for capacity building in all aspects of smart
cities (from concept to implementation), private sector participation in the Mission, slum and
poverty management, position and powers of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) viz. ULBs, etc.
"Cities require good governance, rules, laws and regulations. For our cities to become smart,
they need to be based on collaboration, innovation and transparency. Niti Aayog will work
towards achieving this with state governments to through an outcome focused approach,” said
Sindhushree Khullar, CEO, NITI Aayog.
Dr. V.S. Arunachalam, Chairman, CSTEP opened the Workshop saying, “To be smart, Indian
towns and cities have to solve many problems common to our cities and there is merit in our
working together. The solutions are going to be similar and with innovations we should be able
to develop solutions that are made for India.”
In response to the multitude of questions, concerns and challenges that have featured in public
debates in India since the announcement of the Smart Cities Mission and other urban
development initiatives by the Modi government, CSTEP’s report titled ‘Reconceptualising
Smart Cities: A Reference Framework for India’ proposes a reference framework for smart cities
that offers directions for sustainable ways of city planning to both practitioners and theorists.
The Framework is based on the following four guiding principles: 1) Well-being; 2) Equity; 3)
Efficiency; and 4) Foresight. These guiding principles have been derived from the United
Nation’s (UN’s) draft Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Framework primarily aims to
crystallise future pathways for smart city development in India.
Notes to the Editor:
1. Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) is a not-for-profit research
organisation incorporated in 2005 u/s 25 of The Companies Act, 1956. It was formed
with the vision “to enrich the nation with technology-enabled policy options for
equitable growth”. The mission is to impact policy at governmental and corporate levels
by assessing and designing science and technology options with informed and
systematic analysis for (equitable and inclusive) human development and economic
growth CSTEPs aspiration is to develop as a world-class institution conducting rigorous,
independent and interdisciplinary research on subjects relevant to India’s economic,
social and technological growth and development. CSTEP undertakes multi-disciplinary
policy research in the areas of Energy and Climate Studies, Infrastructure, New
Materials, and Security Studies. CSTEP is recognised as a Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
CSTEP constantly aims at science and technology enabled policy options for an inclusive
and equitable economic growth.
2. NITI Aayog organised a workshop titled “Transforming Urban India: Developing Smart
and Sustainable Cities” in New Delhi. The workshop provided a platform for exchange of
ideas and knowledge among key stakeholders on issues related to the development of
smart and sustainable cities. The Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy
(CSTEP), Bengaluru was the knowledge partner for this event. The primary focus of the
Workshop was to encourage the participants to ideate on some of the critical aspects
that enhance the quality of life in a city and make a city sustainable and therefore, smart.
The deliberations in the Workshop will assist in development of a robust projectization
and implementation process framework.
Contact:
Arushi Sen
Senior Communication Officer, CSTEP
Mobile: +91 9740922557
Email: arushi@cstep.in