Keynote address delivered by former secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development Dr M Ramachandran at the ‘Smart City Workshop: Sustainable Urban Development’ on September 20, 2019.
The workshop was a joint initiative of Heidelberg University, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), School of Planning and Architecture—New Delhi (SPA) and Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) in collaboration with Centre for Public Policy Research and supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF).
Dr M Ramachandran delved into the concept of smart cities. He reminded that the smart cities mission requires smart people who actively participate in governance and reforms. More than a mere ceremonial participation, it is the citizens’ involvement that matters in in governance.