LGNET

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MAY 2012

No Special Days !

Public Bicycle Renting System in Stockholm

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India with China to dominate Global Urbanization
The 2011 version of a UN report on urbanization has projected that there will be significant increases in population in cities on the Asian and African continents by the year 2050. "Africa's urban population is expected to more than triple from 414 million to 1.26 billion people and Asia's urban population will increase by an estimated 1.4 billion from 1.9 to 3.3 billion ", told reporters. India and China will witness unprecedented increase in their urban populations in the next four decades, posing new challenges of providing jobs, energy housing and infrastructure to their people, a UN report said. The UN's '2011 Revision of the World Urbanisation Prospects' said Africa and Asia will lead the global urban population growth in the next four decades with the largest increases expected in India, China, Nigeria, US and Indonesia. India will add another 497 million to its urban population between 2010 to 2050, while China will see 341 million people moving into urban cities followed by Nigeria (200 million), the US (103 million) and Indonesia (92 million). The projected increase in urban population in India and Nigeria between 2010 and 2050 will be higher than that of the past 40 years. This trend is particularly prominent in Nigeria, where its urban population grew by only 65 million between 1970 and 2010, but is projected to increase by 200 million between 2010 and 2050 -- the third largest increase in urban population of all countries of the world. Africa's urban population will increase from 414 million to over 1.2 billion by 2050 while that of Asia will soar from 1.9 billion to 3.3 billion. The UN said both regions would together account for 86 per cent of all increase in the world's urban population. The world urban population is highly concentrated in a few countries. In 2011, about three quarters of the 3.6 billion urban dwellers lived in 25 countries, whose populations ranged from 31 million in Ukraine to 682 million in China. China, India and the U.S. accounted for 37 per cent of the world urban population. Most of the 25 countries with the largest urban populations are highly urbanised, but eight have levels of urbanisation ranging from 28 per cent to 51 per cent and they include some of the most populous countries in the world: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan. Between 2011 and 2030, the urban areas of the world are expected to gain 1.4 billion people, including 276 million in China and 218 million in India, which account together for 37 per cent of the total increase. Between 2000 and 2050, urban growth will be the sole driver of the increase in the urban population of China. In India, the urban population is expected to increase by two-thirds due to urban growth and one- third due to the overall population increase. In contrast, the urbanisation of the U.S. until 2050 will be still mainly led by an increase in the overall increase of the population "This unprecedented increase in urban population will provide new opportunities to improve education and public services in Africa and Asia, as more concentrated populations become easier to reach," said UN report. However, it warned that the trend would also "pose new challenges of providing urban jobs, housing, energy and infrastructure to mitigate urban poverty, expansion of slums and deterioration of the urban environment". "The launch of the World Urbanization Prospects is timely because world leaders, along with thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and other groups, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet," said UN Report. Urbanization will provide new opportunity for Indian City Manager to look for more innovative practices in City Management in which Local Governance Network will play a major role in days to come said Dr. Piyush Ranjan Rout, Co Founder Cum Executive Director of Local Governance Network.
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World Water Day Marked Launching of Bring Back Blue Water
On 22nd March World Water Day 2012, Local Governance Network launched one of its flagship programme named Bring Back Blue Water in our Cities to promote not only management of water but also identify stories that may inspire city makers and also run a water education programme.This project aims to promote water education in schools, local governments, build a momentum for restoring water bodies for green growth and document stories on Urban Water.Briefing about the programme Dr. Piyush Ranjan Rout Co Founder of Local Governance Network told that global water scenario is getting graver, and everyone should be conscious in its use. Stating that 50 per cent of water demand in future will be from cities, he said the usage rate will be double with rise in urban population as happening throughout the globe, Indian cities have no exception. One of the key components of the programme is to reach the schools and teach students about water cycle and water conservation etc. methods. In addition to teaching these students will be groom for local water champions in their vicinity. They will also get an opportunity to share their thought on water with key city makers including their people’s representatives.As we all know some of our cities are able supply more than 160 MLD (million litres per day) of water. In spite of this, there is shortage of water in some areas, perhaps due to the lack of awareness among people and for lack of judicious use of water.“Water risk is emerging as one of the greatest threats to long term economic & environmental sustainability, this more or less is due to negligence of water bodies within cities, so through this pan India programme in next two years time we expect to reach as many city as possible in capturing stories about water both for good or bad management and same way we will share with them many success stories that can be possible for replication” Said Dr. Rout.As our initial study shows Indian towns have lots of water bodies but most of them are in dying state needs immediate restoration. We believe if cities restores some of these water bodies and canals then entire city image will be changed for good said Dr. Piyush Ranjan Rout. We wish through this programme we will be able to convince cities in returning Blue Water to Our Cities.
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'Bhubaneswar on the Footsteps'
A study that benchmarks the pedestrian infrastructure of six Indian cities including Bhubaneswar was presented to officials of Govt. of Odisha by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) and Local Governance Network (LGNet) in a publication titled ‘Walkability in Indian Cities’. The walkability study serves to help decision makers prioritize planning and investments to improve non-motorized mobility in India. In addition to the availability of pedestrian footpaths, it also includes other parameters such as accessibility to crossings and amenities and road safety issues, such as motorists’ behaviour towards pedestrians. All the studies use a three-fold approach: field survey of the existing walking infrastructure, pedestrian interviews to understand a grassroots perspective on the changes our citizens would like to see, and a study of transportation and mobility policy. Parthaa Bosu, CAI-Asia India Representative, shares “there was an urgent need to assess walking conditions of our cities and to highlight the areas for improvement to stakeholders, especially those from government.” CAI-Asia partnered with Local Governance Network to conduct the walkability study in Bhubaneswar. Pune scored the highest walkability rating (54 out of 100) followed by Rajkot, Bhubaneshwar, Indore, Surat and, Chennai with a score of 40 out of 100. Demonstrating the challenges ahead, the walkability rating at bus stops and railway stations scored the worst in all six cities, with an average score of 39. Residential and commercial areas averaged 52 and 57 respectively with Bhubaneshwar and Pune scoring the highest among the cities. Dr. Piyush Ranjan Rout, Co Founder cum Executive Director of Local Governance Network concludes “Bhubaneswar is on the molten stage in which many interventions are possible in making it a great walking & cycling friendly City in India. What it requires is to unlock the grids by placing appropriate under passes, once such actions are in place half of the Cities congestion, accident & pollution problem will be solved and certainly there is no need of elevated corridors or flyovers at the inner part of Bhubaneswar” It is pertinent to note that Indian cities were way below their Asian counterparts. Because the parameters of the assessment tool - such as safety, disability infrastructure, and availability of crossings are universally applicable, comparison with developed cities such as Hong Kong, which scored 70 out of 100, is possible. Improving the pedestrian facilities significantly reduces the shift from non-motorized transportation to two wheelers and cars, thereby minimizing traffic congestion and pollution emission that threatens public health said Parthaa Bosu, CAI-Asia India. “Such a study specifically on WALKABILITY had never been done for City, we often think for cars etc but now all our road engineering work need to consider about pedestrian while designing roads on their back of planning, this study will also be useful making Bhubaneswar good for walking and cycling along with would be used by both poor & rich in inclusive manner” said Sanjib Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary to Govt. Housing & Urban Development Department. Study observed that some of the improvement areas cited by pedestrians are simple measures such as allocating clean footpaths without obstructions and reducing vehicular speeds at crossings. The lack of facilities for people with disabilities was a universal concern not only in Bhubaneswar but also throughout India. It was also discussed to take three areas of Bhubaneswar namely Lingraj Temple (Old town), Road leading to University from Airport and Unit 2 Market Building areas. Clean Air Initiative Asia and Local Governance Network will explore resources to support Bhuabneswar progressing towards more walking friendlier and could became a model for Indian & Asian Cities in days to come. Dr. Rout concludes, “A city that is friendlier to walker or cyclist is certainly a good city for people to live and represents true symbols of Cities Democratic forms in which both motorist & non motorist enjoys lifestyle. The historical evidence of Bhubaneswar urban planning was pro pedestrian & cyclist, that’s why this city has performed better with other Indian cities, if city planners follow grid pattern of growth then in future Bhubaneswar can easily compare itself with Hongkong or Singapore in terms of Walkability”
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Cities around the world feel proud of hosting Olympics or country feels bigheaded winning medals. But for India, this moment is yet to come for hosting or regular wining at Olympics.

Branding Cities

Carbon Footprint

Corporate to Cities

India in 1947 and today has different story to tell the world. This transformation of India has lot of story to tell.

Is the climate change an important issue in your city life? A climate emission analysis of the city...

Corporate to Cities (C2C) Program an active partnership between the corporate community and cities ...

	World Planning Schools Congress 2011			Asia Pacific Cities Summit 2011
	4-Jul-2011, Perth, Australia			6-Jul-2011, Brisbane, Australia

	Walk21 Conference			World Water Week-2011
	Oct 3-5. Metro Vancouver Canada			Augt 21-27, Stockholm