TOMORROW’S LIVEABLE CITIES
In collaboration with BORDA
Over 120 million out of the 500 million Indians who live or work in Indian cities, live in slums. Even beyond slums, Indian cities have poor water and sewerage services, solid waste management systems, housing and public transportation, and weak and under-funded municipalities—and this affects the quality of living for every urban India, but disproportionately affects the poor, marginalized and differently abled.
Hear from thought leaders and practitioners.
Watch all the session recordings here.
WHY WE ARE DOING THIS
Even as our urban population will cross 800 million by 2030 and urban infrastructure spending is growing, there is little focus on how to holistically address these challenges to create inclusive, liveable and sustainable cities that can support India’s ambitions. Another huge gap is the structure and ability of local governments to chart and implement the right course. While the problems are well known, we will explore HOW urban management and services can be made more effective in India, to improve health, reduces stress, increase equality and lower cost of living, to raise the quality of life of all urban Indians.
SESSIONS
Day 1 - 30 JULY 2020
9.00 - 9.30 am IST
Introduction to ‘Building Civil Society Organisations of the Future’
9.30 am - 10.00 am IST
Keynote Address by Arun Maira, Former Member, Planning Commission of India
10.00 am - 11.20 am IST
The Promise of Liveable Cities: Improving Quality of Living for all
How can liveable cities address urban poverty while protecting the environment and enabling good quality economic growth and livelihoods? What can Indian cities do, with all the present limitations and challenges, to improve the quality of living for all urban residents and helping them become more productive, healthier and happier?
Speakers: Arun Maira, Former Member, Planning Commission of India; Jagan Shah, Department for International Development, Mridula Ramesh, Sundaram Climate Institute, Manas Rath, BORDA11.30 am - 12.50 pm IST
The Water-Centric City: Security and Recreation
Urban India is rapidly becoming water stressed and access to water is high unequal. How can water be better managed, treated and re-used to not only ensure that everyone has enough water for basic needs, but to reduce pollution and create recreational and beautification opportunities.
Speakers: Ganapathy Ganeshan, CDD Society; Latha Raman Jaigopal, Insipiration; Sujaya Rathi, Urban Specialist; Shubhagato Dasgupta, Centre for Policy Research2.00 pm - 3.20 pm IST
Data-driven Planning for Affordable Housing and Public Spaces
Spatial data like accurate GIS maps and updated household and community data can help develop effective affordable housing and slum development strategies to create beautiful and functional communities. Digital GIS maps of the entire city can help identify spaces for public use and create green areas like parks, urban forests and agriculture spots that help address climate change, food security and livelihoods.
Speakers: Amita Bhide, Tata Institute of Social Sciences; Pratima Joshi, Shelter Associates; Tarun Sharma, Nagrika3.30 pm - 4.50 pm IST
Funding the Urban Transformation
How can domestic and international donors and Foundations invest in and support a holistic, planned transformation of urban India, alongside Government and Corporate India? How can we put holistic well-being of people at the center of the agenda?
Speakers: Bharath Visweswariah, Omidyar Network; Bharti Dewan, Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives; Jarnail Singh, MacArthur Foundation, Yutika Vora, Nagrika5.30 pm - 6.45 pm IST [Free masterclass]
Masterclass: Heaven on Earth: Liveable Leh
Speakers: Balakrishnan Balachandran, Alchemy Urban Systems; Dr Ishey Namgyal, Municipal Committee of Leh; Moses Kunzang, Urban Local Bodies, Leh; Smanla Dorje Nurboo, Ladakh Ecological Development Group
Day 2 - 31 JULY 2020
9.00 - 9.30 am IST
Introduction to ‘Building Civil Society Organisations of the Future’
9.30 am - 10.00 am IST
Keynote Address by Naina Lal Kidwai, India Sanitation Coalition
10.00 am - 11.20 am IST
Improving Urban Governance and Management
Building municipal capabilities, strengthening budgeting and finance, and improving institutional accountability—what can the social sector do to support change?
Speakers: Mai Flor, WaterLinks; Tikender Singh, ex-Deputy Mayor, Shimla; Tarun Sharma, Nagrika11.30 am - 12.50 pm IST
Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing for Liveable Cities
Increasingly, innovative social startups are providing basic services, either complementing or replacing Government and municipal services. The drive towards achieving SDGs and a sustainable, circular economy requires more investment in such businesses, and better partnership with municipalities.
Speakers: Kartik Desai, Asha Impact; Meeta Narsinghani, Circulate Capital; Shailesh Pathak, L&T IDPL; Venugopal Gupta, Toilet Board Coalition2.45 pm - 3.45 pm IST
How Project Drawdown to Reverse Climate Change can improve quality of life in Indian cities
Speakers: Anuj Malhotra, Center for Green Mobility; Manas Rath, BORDA4.00 pm - 5.30 pm IST
Toxic Environment and Toxic Emotions
Speakers: Anushka Shah, MIT Researcher, Civic Studios; Bharati Chaturvedi, Chintan; Manas Rath, BORDA5.45 pm - 7.00 pm IST
Green, Beautiful and Healthy Cities
Speakers: Harini Nagendra, Azim Premji University; Udaykumar Mathapati, LivFresh Farms, Singapore
IMMEDIATE OUTCOMES
Identifying how NGOs and Foundations can integrate concepts of ‘Liveable Cities’ into their Program
Develop a deeper understanding of how a collaborative and integrated approach can effectively address urban poverty
Understand how the social sector can support municipalities to improve urban services
Look at the deeply interconnected aspects of a city, and how decisions made today will affect a city for decades
