NIUA: Leveraging Urbanization Policies through Technology Data Solutions

Would you elaborate to share with us the mandate of NIUA for Urban Development in India?India’s growth story is unfolding in cities of all sizes, from mega city regions to small towns spread across the country. There are more than 4,400 cities and towns with a long trail of smaller and medium towns. It is projected that by the year 2030 half of the India’s population will be living in urban areas. The scale and speed of urbanization calls for a comprehensive approach that can leverage the existing opportunities in cities and overcome the challenges effectively. The government recognizes that managing the process of urbanization is increasingly important for the ongoing urban transformation. In this regard, NIUA has been set up with a mission to develop new research and expertise for supporting innovations in the urban sector and their dissemination through action research and advocacy, capacity building. For the last 46 years, NIUA has been contributing to policy and planning in India, using technology and data solutions, and building partnerships with national and international organizations.NIUA has adopted a ‘center-driven approach’ of supporting states and cities with standards, tools, best practices and evidence-based capacity assistance. The overall objective is to constantly evolve and emerge as the key institution that facilitates sustainable growth in India’s cities by becoming an incubator of ideas and a guide for effective policymaking.  After the five years of implementation of the 100 Smart Cities Mission, what are your thoughts about the programme?The 100 Smart Cities Mission has been a strategic programme for integrated planning, design, and implementation of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ schemes. The mission is woven around six guiding principles: citizens at the core; more from less; cooperative and competitive federalism; convergence; technology as a means and not the goal; and inclusiveness. The mission is a new paradigm in urban programmes of India that understands that ‘cities are for people’ and India can manage urbanization well for cities to achieve their full potential by translating its people’s aspirations into three important fronts – livability, economic-ability and sustainability.Smart Cities Mission is based on a multi-sectoral program approach where program implementation has been decentralized to States and City Governments. The mission has made significant progress with Rs. 172,382 crore worth of projects completed or under implementation as on 5 March, 2021.