HIGHLIGHTS:
• The event also saw the release of a book named “Nurturing Neighborhoods Challenge: Stories from the Field” by the ministry.
• Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the MoHUA, presided over the event.
• Global and Indian authorities from partner organisations, representatives from winning cities, officials from the Central and State Governments, and CEOs of 100 Smart Cities attended the event.
What is in the News?
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) held an online event called “Cycles4Change and Streets for People Challenge-Season 2.”
The Winning cities
MoHUA recognised 11 winners for the Streets for People Challenge and 10 winners for the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge during the event.
These cities will now move on to the challenge’s scaling up stage. At this point, the projects that have been started will be scaled up in a sustainable manner.
Inter-state challenge
Since 2020, the Smart Cities Mission has hosted inter-city challenges aimed at making public spaces more user-friendly. The “2006 National Urban Transport Policy” guides the organisation of these difficulties. The 2006 policy advocated for a paradigm change away from car-centric streets and toward people-centric streets. In just over a year, these challenges, known as Cycles4Change and Streets for People, have grown into a nationwide movement that now includes more than 100 Smart Cities.
Streets for people challenge
38 cities participated in the challenge and piloted re-imaginings of major routes that prioritised pedestrians. The jury has chosen 11 cities for the next stage of the scale-up process. The MoHUA will give them each Rs. 50 lakhs. Four cities were singled out for their contributions during the competition.
Who conducted the Streets for people challenge?
MoHUA organised the competition, with technical assistance from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP India) .The second season of challenges has begun.
