City Investments To Innovate, Integrate and Sustain
12 cities in India making big strides to be more sustainable.
CITIIS, or the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain, is a sub-component of the Government of India’s Smart Cities Mission. It is a joint program of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
The program is assisting 12 cities in India, which were selected through a rigorous challenge process to develop capacities and implement innovative and sustainable urban infrastructure projects.
The projects are driven by the four values at the core of the program:
- Relevance and Feasibility: The projects are appropriate, viable and achievable, in line with local constraints, strengths and opportunities.
- Excellence in Sustainable Urban Development: The projects include actions that contribute to social inclusion, environmental resilience, and project sustainability.
- Innovation and Integration: The projects are designed to make use of technology for creating innovative processes or assets.
- Participatory Approaches: The projects value and demonstrate cooperation between stakeholders and address the needs of beneficiaries.
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Featured in
Agartala
Haora Riverfront Development
Agartala is the capital of the Indian state of Tripura and is the second-largest city in northeast India. Situated on the banks of the Haora River, the city shares its western border with Bangladesh. The “Haora Riverfront Development” project aims to develop a total area of 16.94 acres along the Haora River. This will include green open spaces of 11.26 acres and 2000 meters of walking pathways with 700 meters of bicycle lanes. The area around the river will also include recreational spaces like parks, playgrounds, and commercial markets. Additionally, it aims to improve the water quality in the Haora River by implementing in-situ wastewater treatment. To address the annual monsoonal flooding of the Haora river and mitigate the flood impacts on the population living along the river, strengthening of the embankments using nature-based solutions is an integral part of the project. The project is being developed with the view that the riverfront should be easily accessed by the people, thereby improving the relationship between the river and the citizens of Agartala.
Haora River Front Development Project in Agartala being implemented under CITIIS is a textbook example of inclusive, resilient & sustain – able urban green open space development that addresses recurrent floods, restores biodiversity, and provides for livelihood generation of the stakeholders, especially women.
Dr. Shailesh Kumar Yadav, IAS, CEO, Agartala Smart City Limited
Project Cost: € 11.64 million
CITIIS Grant: € 6 million
Image caption: Work in Progress Gabion Wall as a nature-based solution for strengthening the embankment of the River. Photo: Vidhya Mohankumar, CITIIS Domestic Expert for Agartala
Amaravati
Basic Infrastructure Development in Low-Income Settlements in Amaravati City
Amaravati is a city that lies between the Vijayawada and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh. The project “Basic Infrastructure Development in Low-Income Settlements in Amaravati City” is building 15 e-health subcenters and wellness centers, 17 model Anganwadi centers, and doing holistic upgradation of 14 primary schools across 25 urban villages of Amaravati. The e-health centers are aimed at enabling patients in remote areas to consult doctors through telemedicine and accessible infrastructure. The Anganwadi centers will be equipped with basic facilities, segregated spaces, a dedicated outdoor play facility, and a consultation room for women. The schools will be upgraded to include Buildings as Learning Aid elements, child-friendly infrastructure, and improved furniture. Currently, these 25 urban villages do not have adequate facilities for women and children. The CITIIS project will provide them with these facilities to include child-friendly and universally accessible infrastructure in the form of better toilets and ramps.
Project Cost: € 16.31 million
CITIIS Grant: € 9.4 million
Image caption: Interiors of the Anganwadi Centre in Amaravati. Photo: Amaravati Smart and Sustainable City Corporation Limited
Amritsar
Rejuvenation of Auto Rickshaws in Amritsar through Holistic Interventions (RAAHI)
Amritsar is Punjab’s second-largest city, as well as a major transportation hub. The RAAHI project aims to promote the use of e-autos for last-mile connectivity and provide holistic “green public transport” facility, which can enable a modal shift from private vehicles to public transport. The project falls under the larger pan-city proposal focusing on traffic and mobility and aims to formalize the Intermediate Public transportation sector through the formation of the Amritsar City Auto Rickshaw Drivers Co-operative Society, replace old diesel auto-rickshaws with e-autos and improve social livelihood opportunities for female members of the drivers’ families by providing free-of-cost skill development courses and develop e-auto charging stations.
The project falls under one of the key thematic interventions of the Smart City Proposal (Self Sustainable Transportation & Environment) and one of the primary objectives of providing green mobility by promoting non-fossil fuel-based vehicles.
Mr. Sandeep Rishi, Municipal Commissioner, Amritsar Municipal Corporation and Chief Executive Officer, Amritsar Smart City Limited
Project Cost: € 12.27 million
CITIIS Grant: € 9.41 million
Image caption: One of the beneficiaries of the RAAHI Project taking passengers from Amritsar Railway Station to their destination. Photo: Amritsar Smart City Limited
Bhubaneswar
B-Active (Bhubaneswar Active)
Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited is undertaking the revitalization of open spaces and creation of green and blue corridors in the city to make public spaces the center of social interaction and activity. The project entails interventions at the physical, policy, and public participation levels and covers the following assets:
A) Water Assets – The project involves rejuvenation of natural streams to create dynamic public spaces, which would connect water and the city through place-making interventions
B) Parks and Open Spaces – Parks on Demand (PoD) are being revamped is being done to develop vibrant spaces that will allow inclusive play and social interaction and cohesion amongst citizens.
C) Sports and Playgrounds – School playgrounds are being revamped under the project with the intent to promote healthy living by making sports facilities accessible for everyone.
The development of school playgrounds with facilities like volleyball, badminton, football, khokho, kabaddi, and cricket courts is a significant step toward making Bhubaneswar more livable, sustainable, and inclusive.
Mr. Vijay Amruta Kulange, CEO, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited
Project Cost: € 3.2 million
CITIIS Grant: € 0.93 million
Image caption: Bhubaneswar Placemaking aims to develop and modify connections leading to parks, schools and offices. Photo: Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL)
Chennai
Model & SMART Corporation Schools
This project aims to create an enriching, interesting, and fun-filled learning environment in schools, where experimental and experiential learning is encouraged, and logical thinking is fostered. In the process, a much-needed facelift and repositioning of ‘The Chennai School’ (420 schools within the management of Greater Chennai Corporation) have been planned which in the long run will nudge citizens to alter their perception and preference positively towards the GCC-run/managed schools. The project has identified interventions required in the areas of physical and digital infrastructure, teacher training and skill upgradation, smart pedagogy, extra-curricular activities and soft skills, strengthening institutions, and collaborating with industry, academia, and NGOs. This project is also a novel attempt to improve the lives of low-income households, by providing an improved and elevated education experience for children.
The project seeks to improve varied aspects of learning by improving physical infrastructure, providing smart pedagogy, technically sound, and technologically equipped digital classrooms.
Ms. Sharanya Ari, IAS, Deputy Commissioner (Education), Greater Chennai Corporation
Project Cost: € 11.21 million
CITIIS Grant: € 8.9 million
Image caption: Activity room in one of the developed class rooms. Photo: Greater Chennai Corporation/Chennai Smart City Limited
Dehradun
Child-Friendly City Project
Dehradun aims to become a more child-friendly city by encouraging the use of public transportation and establishing safer pedestrian routes. Many streets in Dehradun lack raised walkways, such as footpaths and sidewalks. The existing walkways are narrow and hence most people walk on the roads. This results in blocked passageways and safety concerns due to drivers’ behavior. Additionally, as India motorizes, the sheer number and speed of vehicles increasingly challenge people walking and cycling. On-street vehicle parking has increasingly become problematic as well. Thus, this project presents an opportunity to provide safe walkways and calm traffic to improve the safety of school children crossing the streets. The project proposes an emphasis on specific interventions centered on schools, such as amenities, vending zones, medians, curb extensions, and traffic calming measures.
The true beauty of a street lies in its sustainable design.
Ms. Sonika Meena, IAS, CEO, Dehradun Smart City Limited
Project Cost: € 6.82 million
CITIIS Grant: € 5.46 million
Image caption: Tactical Urbanism exercise focusing on safe and interactive pedestrian ways for children undertaken in Dehradun. Photo: Dehradun Smart City Limited
Hubballi-Dharwad
Green Mobility Corridor
The Unkal Nala and its tributaries form the largest drainage system in Hubballi city. The Unkal Nala starts from the overflow weir of the Unkal Lake, which was the main source of drinking water for Hubballi Dharwad and irrigation for the surrounding farmlands during the early 1960s. The Unkal Nala forms the spine with 90% of the population crossing it at least twice a day, particularly people residing beside the Nala banks.
This project focuses on the transformation of the Unkal Nala, the 9.25-kilometer-long drainage chan – nel in the city, from a mere stormwater drain to a developed, holistic space for the community. This corridor development also provides an opportunity for connecting the green corridor project to the major roads in the city passing through this Nala, where non-motorized transport corridors are also being developed as part of other missions/programs. This effort would create a network of non-motorized transport corridors and thus, promote sustainable mobility in the city to a larger extent.
GMC is a testament to our smart and sustainable future and the citizens are already excited to witness the positive impact of the project on the city’s liveability and environmental wellbeing.
Ms. Priyanga M., Managing Director, Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Limited
Project Cost: € 15.92 million
CITIIS Grant: € 9.41 million
Image caption: Entrance gate of the Green Mobility Corridor with citizens / beneficiaries using the Corridor. Photo: Akanksha Laroiya
Kochi
E-Health Solution
The healthcare system in Kochi is being used by 50% of the urban population in the city. Under the “E-Health Solution” project, a centralized digital information database and management system is being created. For this purpose, 32 hospitals were selected for integrating the healthcare data of patients. The project includes upgrading the IT infrastructure, components like cables, devices like monitors, laptops, tabs, Wi-Fi, and internet in hospitals and integrating them with the e-health software so that the data is centralized and easily accessible by the hospitals. This project aims to develop an IT-enabled integrated framework to ensure that the public healthcare system is affordable and accessible to the people. As a part of the system, the collected health data of the patient will be mapped to their Unique Health IDs. A central repository of public health data will thus be formed, and this will reduce the out-of-pocket costs for the patients and prevent delays in treatment due to repeated testing required otherwise. It also aims prepare the city with health infrastructure and enable the government to take steps towards mitigation during a pandemic/epidemic.
When a patient registers under e health, their health details can be accessed and updated by the hospital, which makes consultation and diagnosis easier and accurate. E-health also allows people to book an appointment with the doctor, which can eliminate long queues and overcrowding at hospital. The CITIIS e-Health project has proved to be a successful venture.
Mr. Shanavas S, IAS Former CEO, Cochin Smart Mission Limited
Project Cost: € 2.25 million
CITIIS Grant: € 1.7 million
Image caption: Unique Health ID Registration kiosk. Photo: Cochin Smart Mission Limited
Puducherry
Our Neighbourhood Is Your Neighbourhood Too: A Participatory Planning Approach
The Puducherry CITIIS project “Our Neighbourhood Is Your Neighbourhood Too” intends to provide solutions oriented towards the development and up-gradation of housing, improvement of access to basic services and infrastructure, enhancement of livelihood infrastructure and employment opportunities through skilling in low-income settlements, through an intensive citizen engagement and outreach program.
The city has identified concerns regarding the exclusion of low-income groups from economic opportunities, poor quality social and physical infrastructure, and a need for basic community facilities like roads, street lights, and parks in low-income settlements. The CITIIS project will also address the need for affordable housing by developing new housing and retrofitting existing low-income housing complexes.
CITIIS Program is improving the living conditions in 22 slum settlements in Puducherry by developing housing for slum dwellers, enhancing the social & community infrastructures and developing livelihood infrastructures.
Dr. D. Manikandan, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Puducherry Smart City Development Limited
Project Cost: € 11.73 million
CITIIS Grant: € 9.4 million
Image caption: New housing complex being constructed at Puducherry under the CITIIS project. Photo: Puducherry Smart City Development Limited
Surat
‘Wild Valley Biodiversity Park’- Rejuvenation of Existing Wastelands along Kankara Creek
The project aims to rejuvenate the existing wasteland of Kankara Creek through a range of activities. Under this project, a biodiversity park for preserving flora and fauna will be developed and the wasteland will be made accessible to the public by developing it into a usable public space through the CITIIS grant. The major need for the project arises from the requirement to prevent water pollution, reduce waterlogging in the soil, and create a clean environment for people on the banks of the Kankara Creek. Moreover, the deteriorating biodiversity of this region has raised a very strong need to preserve different types of biodiversity-based species and improve the eco-aqua environment for marine biodiversity. As part of this project, 212 acres of land will be planted with approximately 600,000 plants of 85 types of native species on both sides of Kankara Creek on a stretch of approximately 13 km. Additionally, a recreational space consisting of 9 km of walking trails and 9 km of cycling tracks will also be prepared.
This project will establish an enduring legacy of biodiversity conservation that will not only benefit our city but also inspire other cities across India.
Ms. Swati Desai, Chief Executive Officer, Surat Smart City Development Limited
Project Cost: € 16.37 million
CITIIS Grant: € 9.41 million
Image caption: Pilot Project at Recreational Park (Zone A), Surat. Photo: Surat Smart City Development Limited (SSCDL)
Ujjain
Mahakal Rudrasagar Integrated Development Approach – Phase II (MRIDA-II)
Ujjain is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Located on the bank of river Kshipra, is known for the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (shrines considered to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva). Under the CITIIS project of ‘Mahakal Rudrasagar Integrated Development Approach – Phase II (MRIDA-II)’, Ujjain is developing public spaces around the holy Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple and Ram Ghat. This is being achieved through conservation and adaptive resuse of the historic Maharajwada Complex, creating safe pedestrian access pathways and resting areas around the temple, upgrading public infrastructure and creating amenities for the convenience of pilgrims and visitors. A sub-surface parking and vendor zone near the temple area to decongest traffic is also being developed. Revitalisation of the Rudrasagar Lake is being undertaken through dredging of the lake, segregation of storm water and sewage, and remediation of the water through application of nature-based solutions, thus aiming improvement of the quality of the water and the micro-climate of the city. Under the project, 185,000 sq.m. of the Rudrasagar Lake is being improved through bioremediation, and 33,500 sq.m. of public space is being developed.
The MRIDA-II project is a harmonious blend of tradition and sustainability shaping Ujjain’s vibrant future for generations to come.
Mr. Ashish Kumar Pathak, CEO, Ujjain Smart City Limited
Project Cost: € 17.69 million
CITIIS Grant: € 9.4 million
Image caption: The Mahakaleshwar Dwar, ancient gateway to the Shri Mahakaleshwar temple. Photo: Ujjain Smart City Limited (USCL)
Visakhapatnam
Social Inclusion through modernising public schools as SMART Campus
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has laid specific emphasis on upgrading the social infrastructure in the city. The “Social Inclusion through Modernizing Public Schools as Smart Campus” project is upgrading 40 schools out of the 147 in the city, with the aim of building child-friendly and universally accessible physical infrastructure. Under this project, innovative methods of teaching will be adopted through the design of the schools like introducing Building as a Learning Aid (BaLA) elements in classrooms. The project will also create a more inclusive and enabling learning environment for students by utilising outdoor spaces and retrofitting existing infrastructure. This includes landscaping, developing sports facilities outside schools and refurbishment of existing sports grounds. Safety and health of the children will also be enhanced by refurbishing existing toilet blocks and enhancing site furniture.
The proposed project of renovating the existing schools into 21st century learning would certainly provide quality education to economically marginalized communities and will also serve as an example of how infrastructural improvements can improve educational quality. The proposed project sub-components, as they are small in terms of spatial extent, are meant to create a positive social impact and positive aesthetic appeal.
Mr. Saikant Verma, MD & CEO, GVSCCL
Project Cost: € 7.65 million
CITIIS Grant: € 6.1 million
Image caption: Students using the play area facilities at the pilot school. Photo: Greater Vishakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited