Call for collaboration of members stressed on urban renaissance for better living
Visakhapatnam: Stressing that India had been giving thrust on urban renaissance for better living and economic growth, Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu called for collaboration of the BRICS countries to address common challenges faced by them, of which urbanisation is a key area. He was speaking at the inaugural of the three-day third BRICS urbanisation forum meeting here on Wednesday.
Mr Venkaiah Naidu emphasised that the learning from the experience of each of the member countries benefits all. He pointed out that the BRICS bloc with more than three billion people accounts for 53 per cent of the world’s population and about one fourth of global GDP. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership urban transformation was taking place in the country where only 32 per cent of the population lives in urban areas, as against 73 in Russia, 64 in South Africa, 84 in Brazil and 56 per cent in China.
“Our collective goal is to build productive and sustainable urban economies, evolve livelihood strategies and create inclusive urban spaces. India can learn from the affordable housing techniques of China, experience of management of special purpose vehicles of Brazil, construction of large cities of Russia. India too offers the experience of rebuilding of old and cramped urban spaces such as in case of Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai and crowded spaces of Nagpur and current initiatives towards urban renaissance,” said the Union minister.
AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the state was expected to be one of the top three states in India in the coming years, and was planning to develop in that direction. He said AP was on the rapid growth path in the areas of electricity, sanitation, solid waste management and surveillance.
The CM said the state would soon become open defecation free. He said a central command at the capital would come into operation to monitor the use of LED bulbs in the state. He said CCTV cameras would be installed at all street corners to observe sanitation, and to curb crime. He noted that the administration would become participatory, and building permissi-ons would be made online.
