A Report on Workshop "Chandigarh Urban Observatory"

Urban Observatories under UK-India Joint Network on Sustainable Cities

As the premier think tank of Government of India on urban sector, National Institute of Urban Affairs

(NIUA) is responsible for promoting high quality research and advisory support on evidence based policy

making. Since India's urbanisation is taking a new turn through city led envisioning aided by citizen

participation as well as ICT enabled governance, it is proposed to incubate urban observatories in

leading cities. This further got support as the recently established UK-India Joint Network on Sustainable

Cities has embedded this as one of the core activity.

What is an Urban Observatory?

An urban observatory facilitates monitoring urban dynamics at the local level. It is typically a network of

local stakeholders responsible for producing, analysing and disseminating data on a meaningful set of

indicators. Data and information resources produced by the local network are used to support decision-

making and formulation of evidence based policies. There are several variants of urban observatories

established by Governments, Think Tanks, Technology Companies and Civil Society groups. However, the

idea was widely advanced by the UN-Habitat's Global Urban Observatory. In India, the National Institute

of Urban Affairs is engaging with various stakeholders for establishing urban observatories to address

the complex entanglement of information in rapidly growing cities.

Urban Observatories for Indian Metropolitan Regions

Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are three major city regions in India which have been striving to improve

liveability through planned investments. Setting up an Urban Observatory in these cities can not only

support effective monitoring of the impact of development projects in the city region, but also enable

co-ordinated development in these urban regions. The recent global debates have highlighted the need

for a coherent urban strategy and investment plan as one of the key criteria for any region to attract

global capital. The Observatories can also make these cities globally visible especially as Government of

India is supporting major urban sector investment through new generation urban missions. NIUA has

established working relationships with Chambers of Commerce and Urban Development Authorities

(Mumbai and Chennai) apart from Higher Education/Research Centres in all three cities. University of

Nottingham which coordinates the UK network of research centres has been involved in a Nottingham-

Chandigarh city exchanges. This offers an opportunity to develop a partnership with these cities to set

up Urban Observatories. Since the current phase of funding from RCUK which regulates the availability

of UK institutions is until March 2017, it is proposed to limit the work to the above mentioned four

cities. However, based on the feedbacks from these four cities, a few more cities could be taken up from

April 2017 provided the UK network gets additional funds from RCUK. Since Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,

Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Pune are large urban systems that have crossed 5

million populations, establishment of urban observatories in these cities will help in addressing their

complex dynamics through proactive governance. Some of the smart cities such as Chandigarh and

Dharamshala have also embedded the idea of urban observatory in their plans. Surat and Pune have

initiated similar activities to capture the rich urban data and use it for creating an agile policy system.

Potential Activities

1. Collect, collate and analyse data related to various aspects of urban dynamics in the city region.

2. Prepare annual ‘State of the City’ Reports.

3. Set up and manage 'city dash boards' and website for the Urban Observatory.

4. Provide specific skill development and capacity building services for key stakeholders and their

target groups.

5. Promote evidence based planning and policies in the cities.

6. Enable effective participation of citizens in shaping the urban future.

Schedule of Workshop

UK-INDIA JOINT NETWORK ON SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND URBANIZATION IN INDIA

Day / time Topic Speaker DesignationDay 19:00-9:30am Registrations and Arrivals9.30am - 10.35am: Inaugural Session15 mins each Welcome Address and

Introduction of the Theme - TBD

Prof. Arun Grover, VC Head of Local Host Institution

[Chandigarh specific]Key Note 1:Ideas and prospects for Chandigarh Urban Observatory

Shri. Parimal Rai, IAS Chief Guest , Advisor UT

Key Note 2: Vision for Chandigarh Observatory as a centre for Academic pursuits

Dr. Madhu Chitkara Director, Chitkara Univ.

Chandigarh's potential for Urban Excellence

Jagan Shah Director NIUA

10:30-10:35am Vote of Thanks Ramanjit Johal Local Host Institution representative

10.35am - 10.50am Tea break

10.50am - 11:50am: Background Session - The Broader Framework for the Urban Observatory15 mins each Background to the

Urban Observatory idea - and implications for India

Dr. Ajith Kaliyath Principal Investigator, UK-India Joint Network, NIUA

Need and Possibilities for an Urban Observatory in the Chandigarh context

B. Purushartha B. Purushartha, IAS, Commissioner Municipal Corporation, UT, Chandigarh

Urban Observatory - Examples and Lessons from the UK

Michele Clark Principal Investigator, UK-India Joint Network, Pro-VC, Univ. of Nottingham

Chandigarh Urban Observatory - making it a reality

Prof. Kiran Joshi HOD, Chitkara school of Planning and Architecture.Lead Professor, Academic Partner Institution

11.50am - 1:15pm: Technical Session 1 - Governance and Decision Making challenges

15 mins each Chandigarh's benefits as one of India's Planned Modern Cities

Ar. Madhu Sarin Urban Planner

Smart City Chandigarh -Initiatives towards Data Convergence from different departments to build the roadmap

Kapil Setia Chief Architect UT

Fringe areas of the smart city Chandigarh

Gurmeet kaur Senior Town planner, UT

Data.gov: Examples of

Government Initiatives in UK and India

UK Partner Institution

12:50-1:10pm Q & A / Suggestions session and brief Vote of Thanks

Moderated by Host Institution representative

1.10pm - 2.00pm Lunch break

2.00pm - 3:20pm: Technical Session 2 - Big Data and Technology aspects

15 mins each Research Analysis on a Selected Project / Parameter

Dr. Naveen and team UIET Academic Partner

Capacities and technologies to handle Big Data

Dr. Vishal, Dr. Harish and Dr. Sakshi kaushal

UIET

Big Data for Smarter Cities - the only way forward

UK Partner Institution

Partnering role of Industry and Government in building a City

CII Representative Industries Department / Chamber of Commerce representative

3.00pm - 3:20pmQ & A / Suggestions session and brief Vote of Thanks

Moderated by Dr. Naveen, UIET

3:20pm - 3:35pm Tea break

3.35pm - 4.40pm: Group Discussions & Brainstorming45 mins eachParallel Sessions

Group 1: Important Data Points for Chandigarh

Dr. Manoj Arora or Representative

Director PEC

Group 2: Key Institutional Arrangements / Partnerships

Dr. Sanjay Sood

(to be confirmed)

SPIC Chdgr.

Group 3: Involving multiple stakeholders UK Partner Institution

from society

Group 4: Data Issues (Security, Privacy, Ethics, etc.)

Ms. Shruti Bedi Advocate

4:20pm - 4:40pmPresentation of Ideas of each group Each Group representative

4:40pm - 5.00pm Summarizing Day's Proceedings and Setting Agenda for Day 2

NIUA representative

UK-India Joint Network on Sustainable Cities and Urbanization in India

URBAN OBSERVATORY WORKSHOP

Chandigarh - 17-18th January 2017

Day / time Topic Speaker DesignationDay 29:00-9:30am Late Registrations and Arrivals9.30am - 9.45 am: Kick-off / Session

9.30am - 9.45am Need and Support for the Chandigarh Urban Observatory(Smart grid)

Mr. Manoj Kr. Sharma UIET

9:45am - 10.00am

Joint UK-India Partnership in Chandigarh

UK representative

10.00am - 11:20am: Thematic Session: Growth & Development in Chandigarh (Tea served on tables)

20 mins each Development and Growth - Key Projects / Best Examples showcased

CREST and UICET Govt. Body / Academic Institution

Overall Socio-Cultural Growth Dynamics in the City

Dr. Rita Grewal and team

Dept. Of History and Dept. Of Sociology , PU

Great / New Business Opportunities in Chandigarh

Dr. Dhameja

(Or CITCO and Tourism)

NITTTR, Chdgr.

Stimulus to Job-creation UK Partner

11:00am - 11:20am

Questions and Answers & Vote of Thanks

Local Host Institution representative

11.20am - 12:40pm: Technical Session 2 - Current GIS possibilities

20 mins each Geo-spatial Tools and Training possibilities

UK PartnerPrevalent technologies of GIS and BIM, etc. in India

Dr. Har Amrit Singh

PECIntegration Platforms and Data Convergence

(To be finalised by Dr. Har Amrit) Technology / Industry Partner

12:20pm – 12:40pm

Questions and Answers & Vote of Thanks

Local Host Institution representative

12.40pm - 1.40pm Lunch break1.40pm - 3.00pm: Group Discussions & Brainstorming45 mins parallel session

Group 1: UK PartnerGroup 2: Water Management

DeepmalaChitkara univ.

Group 3: Green Building Technology

Dilip Singh and AntonyChitkara univ.

Group 4: Urban Regeneration

Dr. ____________Deptt. Of Sociology

2:30pm - 3.00pmPresentation of Ideas of each group Each Group representative

3.00pm - 3.15pm Tea break3.15pm - 4.15pm: High Level Expert Panel Discussions15 mins each Presentation of Ideas

presented and Suggestions received over 2 days (with key questions to panel members)

Dr. Sangeeta Bagga

CCA, chdgr.Expert 1: View on Problems & Possibilities in Institutional Arrangements & Financials

Mr. Mac Sarin

AdvocateExpert 2: View on Problems & Possibilities in Data Usage (Industry & Governance)

Prof. Promod Kumar

Eminent Economist / Social Worker / Thinker

Further Q & A / Suggestions from everyone present

Moderated by Host Institution / NIUA representative

4:15-4:45pm Vote of Thanks, Delineation of Next steps

Head of Local Host Institution

and Closure of Workshop4.45pm: Closure of Conference5.00pm - 5.30pm: Partners Discussion for Next Steps in Chandigarh

Workshop -"Chandigarh Urban Observatory"

A two-day workshop on "Chandigarh Urban Observatory" was inaugurated in Hotel Mount View, Sector

10,Chandigarh on 17th and 18th Jan-2017, by a high-level panel comprising Prof. Arun K. Grover, Vice

Chancellor, Panjab University (PU), Shri Anurag Aggarwal, Home Secretary UT, Dr. Manoj Arora, Director,

PEC University of Technology, Mr. David Lelliott, British Dy. High Commissioner, Dr.Javed Agrewala,

Director IMTECH and Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Director, Chitkara University delivered special addresses. Mr.

B. Purushartha, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh shared his vision for Chandigarh

Urban Observatory. Chandigarh January 17, 2017

The first day witnessed presentations from invited experts from Academia, Industry, Law and Civil

Society. Group discussions were held on issues that are essential for developing a Chandigarh Urban

Observatory as ' pulsating entity' taking cue from the Home Secretary's vision. An urban observatory

facilitates monitoring urban dynamics at the local level. It is typically a network of local stakeholders

responsible for producing, analysing and disseminating data on a meaningful set of indicators. Under the

UK-India Joint Network on Sustainable Cities, 8 UK Centres of Excellence led by University of Nottingham

and 8 Indian institutions led by National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) are working on the possibility

of establishing urban observatories in a few Indian cities.

One of the ideas that have emerged through consultation among the network partners is the

institutionalisation of city level systems for efficient data governance.Data and information resources

produced by the local network are used to support decision-making and formulation of evidence based

policies. The recent global debates have highlighted the need for a coherent urban strategy and

investment plan as one of the key criteria for any region to attract global capital. The Observatories can

also make these cities globally visible especially as the Government of India is supporting major urban

sector investment through new generation urban missions. The local partners in Chandigarh are Panjab

University, Chandigarh Administration and affiliated institutions from Chandigarh Region Innovation and

Knowledge Cluster. On account of its sustained engagements with Nottingham city as well as being part

of the Smart Cities Mission, Chandigarh has been identified as one of the potential cities to establish an

Urban Observatory.

In order to deliberate upon the scope and institutionalization of Urban Observatory for Chandigarh, a

two day workshop is being organised by the Joint Network in partnership with Panjab University and

Chandigarh Administration. In the workshop, presentations are being made by scholars and practitioners

from UK and India.

In that Occasion Dr Naveen Agarwal and their team addressed the audience about the usage of new Technologies for smart cities and provide an overview of Big Data and Internet of Things technologies including a summary of their relationships, illustrates the high level requirements towards such an analytical Big Data framework.

There was also group discussion and question answer session in which team gave a satisfactory answer to the audience.

Newspapers

Other Newspaper/sites also published:

Name Links

City Air News: http://www.cityairnews.com/content/2-day-workshop-chandigarh-urban-observatory-inaugurated

Punjab News Express: http://punjabnewsexpress.com/chandigarh/news/workshop-on-chandigarh-urban-observatory-starts-at-pu-57117.aspx

Chandigarh News Express: http://www.chandigarhnewsexpress.com/News.aspx?ID=18606

Shafaqna News http://in.shafaqna.com/EN/03902732

Official Website of Chandigarh Administration http://chandigarh.gov.in/dpr_photo.asp?start=32&search=

Chitkara University http://www.chitkara.edu.in/news/urban-observatory-launched-niua-uk-india-joint-network-sustainable-cities-important-inputs-cspa/

India News Calling: http://www.indianewscalling.com/news/51036-anurag-agarwal-addressing-in-chandigarh-urban-observatory-workshop-at-hotel-mount-view-chandigarh-.aspx

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