Workshop Partner

The consultative discussions were divided into three thematic groups, with each group constituting 7-8 expert participants. The groups were

• Sustainable City Form
• Resources and Delivery Systems
• Urban Policy, Decision makers and Citizens Action

The sub theme that needs to be addressed through education would include

1. World view/ Development Model.
2. Context- Cultural/socio/political, economic and environmental.
3. Scale and form – size, density and community.
4. Resource Management – Life cycles and impacts
5. Tools and Methods
6. Sensitivity

The key recommendation encompassing the thematic groups and the sub-themes were as listed below . These then can be incorporated to constitute the education to generate and guide such development.

The content and the method of dissemination for citizen awareness, professional education and capacity building of decision makers is addressed.

1. It is important to share, evolve and review the world views/ Development models. These direct vision statements, knowledge generation, strategy formulation, data etc.
2. Evolving context based (cultural, socio-political, economic and environmental) strategies and education is critical to ensure the evolution and a meaningful settlement form and its guidance. Involves understanding interconnections, the milieu, contextual structure etc.
3. City development has become synonymous with “Big”. Large scale has only lead to controversies and divisiveness. Small scale of intervention leads to better social cohesion, resource utilization, percolation of benefits, appropriate traffic pattern, identity and security. The idea of a “neighbourhood” needs to be be redefined.
4. The judicious use of resources, understanding of their flows and the quality of life is the key to a sustainable settlement form. Involves understanding scarcity, security, interdependence, alternative strategies and impacts.
5. Translation of concepts into reality is a critical concern. Implementation and monitoring/ guidance mechanisms have to be carefully reviewed. Involves understanding social sanctions, civic roles and responsibilities, statutory provisions, development planning and governance.
6. All the above will have to be sensitive to issues of gender and vulnerable groups.
7. To create directory/ catalogue of best practices. This information to be available to decision makers, citizens and professionals.
8. In formal education initiate module on Urban Ecology, Urban Footprints and Urban Agriculture.
9. Need to inform decision makers the benefits of decentralized decision making – importance of 74 th amendment.
10. Education should be done from Primary School level through workshops and lectures, experimental project based and experiential learning.
11. Possibility of sabbatical or internships for professionals, decision makers to provide them with hands-on experience.
12. Strengthening consultation mechanisms involving multidisciplinary inputs for policy formulation and periodic review.
13. Capacity building and continued education of urban management at all levels. Case based learning, peer to peer exchanges, transfer of best and innovative practices.

Sensitivity towards gender, informal sector and the vulnerable should be addressed to policy makers. This may be done by civil society organizations, media and academic institutions.

Click here to view the concept paper that formed the basis for the workshop discussions...