Administrator Opens Two Day Workshop on Future Ready Chandigarh 2030 & Beyond
Chandigarh, 25th October 2021: The two days Visioning workshop on “Future Ready Chandigarh 2030 & Beyond”, was officially opened today by Sh. Banwari Lal Purohit, Administrator Chandigarh at Hotel Mount View.
This workshop has been organized by Chandigarh Administration and is supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with an objective of sustainable improvement of Urban Infrastructure and Services, setting out the desired future roadmap for Future Ready Chandigarh. The workshop is encompassing informative sessions by visionaries of diverse areas that touches crucial subjects directly connecting to the development of the City Beautiful.
The first day kick started with an inaugural session wherein Sh.Vikas Verma, Regional Head North, UNDP explained the role and objective of the workshop. This was immediately followed by the remarks of Sh. Dharam Pal, Adviser to the Administrator regarding the expectations from this visioning workshop. The Adviser highlighted the current focus areas of the Administration like Clean City, Green City, Smart City (Smart- Transport, Buildings, Command and Control centers), Heritage Preservation & protection and development plans for 23 villages. He also shared that there are some challenges which need to be dealt in future, which are listed as making Chandigarh a regional hub for Education, Health, Commerce, Service, IT, Manufacturing of Micro chip, Medical Instruments, future planning of rural areas, readiness for climate change etc. including possibility of making Chandigarh carbon neutral by 2030.
The five key thematic have been selected for the workshop i.e.
1. Urban infrastructure and Planning, Transport & Mobility
2. Environment, Climate Action, Tourism and Heritage preservation
3. Education, Skill Development, Employment, Economic ability
4. Health Nutrition and Well Being
5. Social Protection and Safety for all
The Administrator shared that many international and national experts are going to present their ideas. Case studies across the globe are going to be presented. He also added that, “I am sure the workshop will give an opportunity for bringing about better cohesion and a good platform for interaction amongst all related stakeholders in meeting our common objectives. After the workshop, there must be appropriate follow up actions to bring this vision into reality”
The first thematic group began with presentation on Chandigarh Smart City projects and future challenges and goals by Smt. Anindita Mitra, Commissioner Municipal Corporation which was followed by case studies and findings on Green buildings- needs and benefits, urban resilience and infrastructure, learning from Delhi Master Plan, green mobility and its future in India.
Historical perspective of Chandigarh, Cities and multi level governance, economic valuation of ecosystems, low carbon strategies were discussed by the second thematic group, under which the Chandigarh aspect was showcased by Sh. Debendra Dalai, Secretary Science & Technology and Smt. Nitika Pawar, Secretary Social Welfare and Women Development.
Smt. Palika Arora, Director School Education shared the context on the thematic area of Education and Skill Development in Chandigarh which was followed by informative sessions on future of green jobs, new age job avenues and Industrial growth and economic development in the region.
“Chandigarh needs to keep evolving new paradigms of governance with communities at the core, and an increased use of technology to improve its urban infrastructure, services and optimum utilization of resources. It should keep driving the economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local area development and harnessing technology”, said Sh. Banwari Lal Purohit.
The workshop will continue on 26th October wherein the two thematic groups on Health Nutrition and Well Being, Social Protection and Safety for all will present their thoughtful findings and ideas.
