By IANS,
New Delhi : The Planning Commission Wednesday stressed the need for the centre and the states to coordinate efficiently to put in place better urban infrastructure and world-class facilities.
“The key to urban development is with local development, but it is not possible without appropriate support from the union government. They have to work together towards one goal,” A.K. Maira, member of the Planning Commission told IANS.
Representatives from various government bodies participated in a two-day workshop to discuss climate-resilient urban development measures, pressing for reducing carbon footprints in cities.
“We must take examples from South American cities when it comes to developing environmentally-sustainable cities,” Maira said.
Issues like finding innovative ways of urban planning and infrastructure development, successful models of water management from Surat and Gorakhpur, and carbon emission statistics of various Indian cities were also discussed at the workshop.
“It’s a challenge for the Urban Development Ministry to come up with eco-friendly development measures. Environment cannot be ignored at the cost of development,” said Navin Kumar, secretary in the union urban development ministry.
The international workshop, organised by the Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe), and UK-based Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (ISET), saw participants from the civic bodies of GOrakhpur, Bhopal and Surat.