Reddy to inaugurate seminar on basic services to metropolitan cities
Sunday 18 November 2007

New Delhi, Nov 17 (ANI): Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy will inaugurate a one-day seminar on "Planning and Development of Metropolitan Regions in the context of Special Initiatives relating to Infrastructure Development and Provision of Basic Services" here today.

The Association of Municipalities and Development Authorities (AMDA) in collaboration with Ministries of Urban Development and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India, HUDCO, and Development Authorities of Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Punjab, Bangalore and Haryana is organising the seminar.

Kumari Selja, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India will be the chief guest at the valedictory session.

The broad objectives of the seminar are to stimulate awareness about the new challenges facing metropolitan regions emerging from investments such as SEZs located nearby, immigration from rural areas, growth of population as well as diversification of activities and how such activities should be spatially integrated in the metropolitan regional planning process; identify the need of strategic infrastructure for managing rapid growth of metropolitan regions; and look into the current planning processes of cities with a view to promoting social inclusion and provision of housing and basic services to the urban poor.

The seminar seeks to address some critical issues relating to the above under the following three sub-themes: Urbanisation and Metropolitan Regions: The Emerging role of Urban and Regional Planning in the context of SEZs; Sustainable Development in Metropolitan Regions in the context of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Mainstreaming Urban Poor and Provision of Urban Basic Services within the Framework of Master Plans.

About 75 participants comprising representatives of municipalities and development authorities including members of AMDA across the country, as well as policy makers administrators, academicians and experts from national and international organisations are expected to participate in the seminar. (ANI)
- AY