Conclave Focusing on sustainable urban development in the Himalayan and hilly regions of India
The State Institute of Urban Development (SIUD), Dr. R.S. Tolia Uttarakhand Academy of Administration, Nainital, organized a two-day conclave focusing on sustainable urban development in the Himalayan and hilly regions of India. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, urban planners, and sector experts to discuss critical challenges and explore innovative solutions in the domains of water supply, urban mobility, parking, and solid waste management.
A key highlight of the conclave was the release of a research study report conducted by SIUD with the support of SPA Delhi across six towns: Champawat, Almora, Pauri, Nainital, Mussoorie, and Haldwani. The study identified the region's pressing urban challenges shaped by its unique topography, ecological fragility, disaster vulnerability, and climate change impacts. The findings were presented alongside a report from WASHi, providing a comprehensive understanding of sustainable urban practices and policy interventions.
The conclave featured sector-wise panel discussions addressing the following critical themes:
* Solid Waste Management in Himalayan and hilly towns, with insights from successful case studies.
* Liquid Waste Management and FSSM, exploring decentralized wastewater treatment solutions.
* Challenges in Water Supply, including issues related to seasonal variability, climate change, and infrastructure development.
* Urban Mobility and Parking Solutions, particularly addressing the constraints of hilly terrains and increasing vehicular congestion.
* Smart Solutions for Urban Challenges, featuring technology-driven and community-led initiatives.
A special session on best practices from Uttarakhand showcased innovative models such as IoT-based water supply monitoring, plastic waste management for livelihood generation, legacy waste remediation, and deposit-return systems for plastic bottles. These case studies served as replicable models for other hilly towns in India.
The conclave aimed to foster collaboration between urban local bodies, state agencies, academic institutions, and international partners to develop resilient and sustainable urban strategies. The discussions and recommendations from this event contributed towards actionable policy frameworks, enabling towns in Himalayan and hilly regions to achieve balanced and environment-friendly urban growth.