The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) Punjab and Chandigarh (UT) Regional Branch, the Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Association of British Scholars (ABS), Chandigarh Chapter jointly organized a Special Lecture on “Future of Cities” by Dr. Suzanne Speak, Senior Lecturer, Architecture, Planning and Landscape at Newcastle University, UK on March 27, 2017 at Department of Public Administration, PU, Chandigarh. Professor B.S. Ghuman, Dean Faculty of Arts, Panjab University, Chandigarh and President ABS Chandigarh Chapter while introducing the theme opined that the present cities have glaring income inequalities and uneven access to basic amenities. The benefits of urban development have not percolated down to urban population working in the informal sector and residing in the slums. Need of the hour is to make cities all inclusive. Dr. Suzanne Speak the Keynote Speaker in her address started with the historical evolution of cities giving reference to Indus civilization, cities in Egypt and UK- all 5000 years old. She said our imagination of cities has been influenced by art, films and literature in which cities are portrayed as clean habitations, expensive ones and accommodating the elites. The present day cities including the concept of Smart Cities in India are also based on the traditional approach of planning, administering and managing. In the Indian experience, the new big cities enjoy access to all basic amenities like energy, water, health, security, recreation activities, public spaces etc. but also has the feature of exclusion. Alongside the big cities, exist small cities not enjoying most of the above-mentioned facilities. The future cities should be based on the principles of egalitarianism and inclusiveness and enjoy sufficient access to all the basic amenities. Sh. B.S. Ojha, IAS (Retd), Former Chief Secretary, Haryana and Chairman of the IIPA Regional Branch in his Presidential Remarks opined that the people’ perspective while envisioning the future cities needs to be given space. The lecture was attended by large numbers consisting of faculty members of the various Departments of Panjab University, members of IIPA Regional Branch and ABS, Chandigarh Chapter, research scholars and students. The lecture aroused a lot of discussion in which Professor Gopal Krishan, Professor Ramanjit Kaur Johal, Shri DV Bhatia, Dr. RP Sapru, Dr Sangeeta Bagga, Dr. Xavier Laplace from France and Mr. Mohammad Sohail participated. Professor Ramanjit Kaur Johal, Chairperson, Department of Public Administration and Associate Director, Research Promotion Cell, Panjab University, Chandigarh proposed the vote of thanks. |
