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Third Roundtable on City Cluster Development

 

Facilitated by 

 -  Strategic Planning and Management Services (SPMS) Pty Ltd 

 -  National Institute of Urban Affairs 

Sponsored by

 -  Asian Development Bank 

Date: 3 March 2009

Venue: Conference Room, NIUA, New Delhi
NIUA hosted the third roundtable on City Cluster Development (CCD) on March 3, 2009. Dr. Kay Choe, Principal Urban Advisor, ADB presented a background of the study. She said major objective of the CCD is to increase the productivity of business clusters leading to increase in job and income opportunities. This approach maximizes linkages between urban development and business to operationalise cluster concept.

Prof. Mukesh Mathur and Mr. Sandeep Thakur delivered a presentation on methodology, issues, good practices and city competitiveness analysis. Prof. Chetan Vaidya presented analysis of socio-economic and spatial development in Central National Capital Region (CNCR). The analysis of data was based on population and economic census. It identified four important economic sectors for the CNCR; namely, textiles-readymade garments, auto components general engineering and IT enabled services. Mr. Rajveer Singh, Consultant, NIUA presented diagnostic and business plans for three clusters in Faridabad (General Engineering), Okhla (Readymade Garments) and Gurgaon (Auto Components).

Mr. Rajiv Malhotra, Chief Planner, National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) brought out need for developing the CCD in the context of NCR plan proposals and projects. Mr. Naresh Kumar, Town planner, Town and Country Planning Organization (TCPO) urged the need to integrate the CCD proposals with various infrastructure development plans. Mr. A.K.Jain, Advisor, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) suggested that CCD should be integrated with various proposed projects like SEZs, Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor, and State Government Industrial and urban policies. Dr. Kulwant Singh, ED, Association of Municipal and Metropolitan Development Authorities (AMDA) mentioned that CCD should be inclusive and be prepared within the framework of Metropolitan Planning Committees under 74th Constitutional Amendment.

Prof. Brian Roberts, Strategic Planning and Management Services (SPMS) summarized the discussions. He said that there is need to work on collaborative advance to reduce transaction costs of business. The urban planning process should focus on s trategic infrastructure and should be demand driven. He added that CCD approach is necessary in the context of:

  • increasing awareness of climate change issues;
  • need to develop integrated employment regions rather than industrial estates;
  • develop new partnerships between governments and private sector;
  • and works on seamless transfers.

Prof. Brian appreciated the efforts of the study team and keen interest shown by the participants.