December 15, Gandhinagar: In light of rapid urbanization, it is widely acknowledged that cities will be the principal agents for driving a changed world and addressing global commitments related to combating climate change, eradicating hunger & poverty, and promoting healthy living. In this context, the Gujarat Urban Development Mission under the Urban Development & Urban Housing Department of Gujarat, in collaboration with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, and other partner organizations, organized the Vibrant Gujarat Summit on “Liveable Cities of Tomorrow”, on Friday at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Speaking on SDGs integration in child-friendly cities in the urban planning context, Hyun Hee Ban, Chief, of Social Policy, at UNICEF India, said “We need to listen to various equalizer views including children and young people when we design these urban policies. I would say at the top of the list may be climate change (SDG 13) but I will prioritize the first 5 SDGs which many cities have an unfinished agenda, especially in terms of reaching the most marginalized segments of society.”

The summit brought together city leaders, practitioners, academicians, industry experts, and knowledge seekers for deliberating upon initiatives and experiences, both from India as well as from across the world, which will help consolidate knowledge towards creating a roadmap for enhancing the quality of life in cities.

The Summit provides a platform for cities to showcase their unique initiatives and explore potential avenues for future collaboration in anticipation of the Tenth Edition of The Vibrant Gujarat Summit, scheduled for 10th – 12th January 2024.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, Gujarat has emerged as a model for urban development, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable urbanization” said Kaushal Kishore, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, during the inaugural session.

“Over the past few decades, we have invested significantly in urban development and infrastructure. Our cities have pioneered innovative concepts such as land pooling, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), heritage management, and sustainable waste management,” said Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister, of Gujarat during a special address.

He highlighted that projects like GIFT City, DREAM City, etc. are the epitome of Gujarat’s commitment to developing Futuristic Cities and these projects are setting examples on the global stage on how cities are conceived, perceived, and developed.”

Raj Kumar, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Gujarat highlighted that currently, around 48% of Gujarat is urbanized, and this number may cross 60% by 2035. He further added that Gujarat has been making great strides in implementing sustainable models for city development through strategic urban planning & design, waste management, and green spaces.

The Principal Secretary, the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, Gujarat, and the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad welcomed all the participants and shared Gujarat’s urban achievements.

About 800 individuals attended the summit from all over the world, including 15 panelists from organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the liveability of our cities.

Complementing these discussions, an exhibition was also organized showcasing the best initiatives and innovations by corporations from Gujarat and organizations such as UNICEF, ICLEI, and AIILSG.

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