Asian Cities – Beacon of hope in ever-changing world

Cities will have a vital role to play in building a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive world. Many cities, not only India but also countries worldwide, face various challenges in their quest to build better places to live for all. AIILSG brought the leaders of these cities together in a bid to ensure that joint efforts must be employed to confront common obstacles. The incredible response that was received at the Summit held in Delhi stands as proof that the region can emerge more robust and the future of Asian cities shines with a radiant hope

Asia is undoubtedly the most populous continent in the world, but the urbanisation growth in the region rate has been slower than in many other developed regions. As the world’s most populous continent with over 4.6 billion people, Asia has witnessed a rapid increase in urbanisation in the last couple of decades, and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
By 2050, it is projected that 64 per cent of Asia’s population will live in cities. About 1.2 billion people will be added to Asian cities. According to UN-Habitat, one billion urban residents may face multiple high or extreme hazards in the region by 2030. While the proportion of those living in slum conditions has fallen, over half a billion slum dwellers still live in the region. Most cities in Asia-Pacific struggle to manage solid waste in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible way, mainly relying on open dumping and uncontrolled landfilling.
The 6th Asian Cities Summit, organised by the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG), brought together mayors, deputy mayors, municipal leaders, urban planners, policymakers, and experts across Asia to discuss strategies for building sustainable and resilient cities. Held in the national capital of India, the summit provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas and best practices and explore innovative approaches to addressing the challenges facing urban areas in the region. I could not attend the Summit in person due to unavoidable reasons, but I remain updated, thanks to technology.
The summit focused on a range of key themes, including urban planning and design, climate change mitigation and adaptation, infrastructure development, urban transformation in India, water management, public transport, and delivery of civic services. One of the summit’s main goals was to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among cities in Asia, with a particular emphasis on learning from each other’s successes and failures.
Several high-profile speakers addressed the summit, including Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India; SP Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Law and Justice, GoI; Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary, MoHUA, and Mission Director, Smart Cities Mission; Hitesh Vaidya, Director, NIUA; and Satish Upadhyay, Vice President of New Delhi Municipal Council. Their insights and experiences provided valuable guidance to the summit’s participants, helping to shape the discussions and debates.
Participants shared examples of successful urban projects and initiatives implemented in their cities throughout the summit. These included sustainable transport systems, green building codes, waste management solutions, and innovative public service delivery models. Such initiatives help make cities more sustainable and resilient and create opportunities for economic growth and social development.
One of the key takeaways from the summit was the importance of involving local communities in urban planning and decision-making. Several speakers emphasised the need for participatory approaches that engage citizens, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders in shaping the future of their cities. This leads to more inclusive and equitable outcomes and builds trust and social cohesion within communities. One of the important outcomes was understanding the need to embrace innovation and new technologies in urban development and governance mechanisms. From smart cities to digital governance platforms, technology is increasingly seen as a key enabler of sustainable and resilient urban development. However, such technologies must be designed and implemented in a way that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of local communities. However, such technologies must be designed and implemented in a way that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of local communities.
Finally, the summit highlighted the urgent need for cities in Asia to address the challenges of climate change. With the region being one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, cities must take proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprints and build resilience to climate-related hazards. This includes investing in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban planning. In a separate article in this edition, the editorial team has put up the summarised version of the discussions in an article. The detailed outcome report will be released soon and shared with the delegates, speakers and relevant government institutions.
The was a resounding success, providing a valuable platform for municipal leaders and urban practitioners from across Asia to share experiences, learn from each other, and build new partnerships. The discussions and debates that took place during the summit were insightful and inspiring and will undoubtedly help to shape the future of sustainable and resilient urban development in the region.
The next summit will be of special importance as it will take place in 2025, and the institute will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The centenary celebration is an extraordinary moment in the life of any institute. Our team has already begun preparing for the series of events and activities the institute plans to organise to commemorate the efforts of the institute’s founders and venerate its legacy over a century. I am sure the relations and collaborations forged at this summit will pave the way for a grand event next time. Meanwhile, there are many activities which will be carried out during the course of two years as agreed upon by many organisations and cities. It was also endorsed in the Summit for enhancing the engagement of member cities of the South Asian Mayors Forum. I am sure all these initiatives will forge a more decisive role for local government institutions in making Asia the most liveable continent.

One of the important outcomes was understanding the need to embrace innovation and new technologies in urban development and governance mechanisms. From smart cities to digital governance platforms, technology is increasingly seen as a key enabler of sustainable and resilient urban development. However, such technologies must be designed and implemented in a way that is responsive to the needs and aspirations of local communities