The host city for Metropolis World Congress 2014, Hyderabad received the Metropolis delegation with enormous enthusiasm for a series of preparatory visits and meetings during April 4-11, 2012. “We are very happy that Hyderabad has been accepted to be the host. The city has all infrastructure facilities we need. We are surprised at the high-level of interest and facilities,” says Alain Le Saux, Metropolis Secretary General.

Leading policy makers and practioners from Brazil, South Africa and Philippines would share their country/city experiences during a workshop that will be held during 14-15 May, 2012 at Vishakapatnam, (Andhra Pradesh, India). The workshop aims to share international experiences in achieving slum free urban habitat and potential lessons for India.

Global Studio is a partnership and research based programme where academics, professionals and international students work together with academic institutes, governments and non-government organisations to develop urban solutions for primarily disadvantaged urban communities. The Global Studio 2012 will take place in Bhopal, India from 7^th January onwards. Metropolis is an institutional supporter of this event which is part of its strategy to engage with “Urban India“.

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Prithviraji CHAVAN & Josep Roig

The Metropolis Mission in India was carried out in 4 major Indian cities: Bangalore, Hyderhabad, Mumbai and New Delhi from 24 June to 7 July 2011. The delegation of Metropolis World Association was headed by the Secretary General of Metropolis recently appointed Secretary General of UCLG Mr Josep Roig, Metropolis Regional Secretariat for Asia Pacific headed by Ms. Mary Lewin, Metropolis Advisor for India Mr. Sunil Dubey and the coordinator of Metropolis India Initiative in Barcelona Ms. Agnès Bickart.

The delegation met up with top urban leaders of Indian Govt. at state level (Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh and Delhi) and Centregovt (or Federal Govt.),  top representatives, academic & research institutions and NGOs as well as eminent professionals related to Urban Sector in India.

These leaders agreed on supporting Metropolis in its wish to share knowledge and the experience of Indian cities along with the association’s network of 120 Metropolitan cities as well as to provide a neutral platform for Indian cities and India states to be more visible before the rest of the world - exchanging on good practices and capacity building.

Release of the Research Publication on India: Managing Urban Growth, 5 July, NIUA National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi, India.

Dr. Isher Judge Ahluwalia Chairperson HPEC & Chair for the ICRIER- Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations - together with Chetan Vaidya- Director of National Institute of Urban Affairs - NIUA, Josep Roig and Mary Lewin released Metropolis Research publication on India: Managing Urban Growth edited by Chris Johnson,in an official presentation at NIUA Building, New Delhi, attended by representatives of India’s academic, civil society, corporate, and government officials.

Metropolis knowledge partners include National Institute of Urban Affairs- NIUA, with which Metropolis signed an MoU in 2009. Academics & research institutions as well as Cisco are also partners. This important research work proves to effectively contribute towards Urban India engaging with urban leaders & presenting urban paradigms that work. 

The Metropolis India Initiative is the first effort from a leading local governments and metropolitan cities organization to date, and it will position Metropolis among the world’s leading cities organization for its engagement with Urban India.

The Secretary General of Metropolis stated, “As India is growing at a very high pace, it is essential that a global city network like Metropolis have a coherent strategy to engage with Indian cities through the implementation of a Global Office in India, activities and initiatives promoting sharing of knowledge between Indian cities and other metropolitan cities all around the world.

We expect more activities between Metropolis and India in the forthcoming months and years ahead and we hope to have the opportunity to hold our 2012 Board of Directors Meetings in India as well.”

Workshop on “ICT for Effective Urban Governance” – Bangalore 23-24 June 2011.

Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) with the support of Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, Department of Municipal Administration Government of Karnataka and Cisco Systems India Pvt Ltd organized this workshop on Urban Innovation.

One of the objectives of the workshop was to inform the city leaders as to how technology can contribute to better urban agenda and showcase some of the solutions.

Metropolis Advisor for India, Sunil Dubey, was one of the speakers:

Mr. Dubey stated “What is important now is to deliver some valuable research studies along with actions:  Initiatives, workshops and activities, as Metropolis is a practical tool to be used by cities on a regular basis and promoting continuity” .

One year on after the seminar on urban growth that took place in New Delhi and the signing of the MoU with the main national agency that is at the forefront of urban planning and research, NIUA, and Metropolis is pursuing and consolidating its presence and its visibility among national, state and local Indian authorities.