NITI Aayog is organizing a workshop titled “Transforming Urban India: Developing Smart and Sustainable Cities” at India International Center in New Delhi on September 2, 2015. The workshop during 10:30 am till 13:15 pm will provide 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 is the knowledge partner for this event. The ‘Smart Cities Mission’ was recently launched by the Government of India. Under this Mission, the State and Central governments have been entrusted with the responsibility to select and develop 100 smart cities in the country. Since the concept of a ‘Smart City’ is relatively new and various stakeholders have a variety of ideas, definitions and approaches, there is a need to evolve a shared understanding of the concept. The Workshop aims to bring together State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Central Government Ministries, experts and other stakeholders on a common platform. The primary focus of the Workshop is 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. It is expected that the deliberations at the Workshop will help in the development of a robust project and implementation process framework.

Smart Cities Mission encourages stakeholder workshop to create shared definitions and implementation frameworks for sustainable urban development. A policy workshop will bring central and state agencies, Urban Local Bodies, experts and stakeholders together with a knowledge partner to develop a shared understanding of the Smart Cities Mission, reconcile differing definitions and approaches, and generate practical guidance on project development and implementation processes to enhance urban quality of life and sustainability.