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A technical assistance programme for sustainable urban development
Project
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Project start date
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Status
Ongoing
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AFD financing amount
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700 000 €
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Country and region
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Location
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Nagpur, Chandigarh et Pondichéry
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Type of financing
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Beneficiaries
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The Union territory of Pondicherry, The Union territory of Chandigarh, Nagpur Municipal Corporation
AFD is providing technical assistance to the cities of Nagpur, Chandigarh and Pondicherry within the framework of the national ‘Smart Cities Mission’. The objective is two-fold: contribute towards sustainable urban development in India and strengthen the capacity of the local bodies.
Context
The Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal programme by the government of India with a mission to develop 100 cities all over the country. The objective is to enhance the quality of life for urban dwellers through sustainable and innovative solutions.
Local authorities are encouraged to develop a cross-sector vision of urban development, in consultation with the citizens. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is set up in each of these cities to implement the Smart Cities projects.
Prioritizing, financing and implementing the projects included in the Smart Cities strategies are the next steps to be addressed.
Description
The technical assistance programme implemented by AFD aims to bring French expertise to the SPVs of Nagpur, Chandigarh and Pondicherry. These cities have access to a network of French and local experts from various disciplines. Workshops with the experts are organized upon the cities’ request.
The programme also aims to support suitable institutional set-ups and effective local funding mechanisms, and to strengthen local capabilities in the following areas: urban planning, waste management, water and sanitation, urban mobility, energy efficiency, heritage, etc.
The success of this technical assistance programme has prompted AFD to put forth a support programme at the national level: the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS), which will be launched in 2018.
Impacts
- The technical and urban services capacities of the cities were strengthened, with a focus on sustainable and integrated urban development issues.
- Pondicherry benefits from French expertise on the valorization of its urban heritage and the development of tourism; Nagpur on issues related to urban mobility and the rejuvenation of the Nag river banks; Chandigarh on mobility issues and the restructuration of the city’s water network.