Beyond the Megacities: Shaping Next Generation Cities in India

Mega cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata have tended to dominate the urban agenda in India. Consequently, the potential of smaller cities to contribute to India's economy, culture and society has largely been ignored, despite the fact that they form a majority of India's urban centers. The private sector seems to have taken cognizance of this, with companies in the Information Technology sector vying for smaller cities where they are promised better infrastructure and cheap skilled labour as compared to the metropolises. However, the revitalization of small towns needs concerted governmentled action. Recent developments under the JNNURM suggest that there is recognition of this fact. This session outlines the role of smaller cities in shaping the future urbanization trends in India, and how they can contribute to India's economy with assistance from the public, private and civil-society sectors.

Confirmed Speakers

• Sanjeev Sanyal, Founder, The Sustainable Planet Institute
• Sanjiv Paul, Managing Director, Jamshedpur Utilities & Services Company
• Sudeshna Chatterjee, Partner, Kaimal Chatterjee and Associates & Urban Design Consultant for Naya Raipur
• Sharon Bamford, CEO, UK India Business Council
• Chetan Vaidya, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs