City Managers' speaks for setting up UK-India Cities forum at the UK-India Symposium on the Greening of Events and Energy Efficient Cities for a Lasting Legacy'

12 February, 2007

'UK-India Symposium on the Greening of Events and Energy Efficient Cities for a Lasting Legacy', which took place in Delhi at the British Council on 7 and 8 February 2007 was attended by City Managers' of Orissa. Represented by Mr. Mihir Kumar Mohanty, Mayor - Bhubaneswar, Ms. Nibedita Pradhan, Mayor - Cuttack, Mr. Bijay Kumar Dhal, Municipal Commissioner - Cuttack, Ms. Aparajita Sarangi, Municipal Commissioner - Bhubaneswar and Mr. Piyush Ranjan Rout, Executive Director - CMAO.

The symposium focused on environment as an important dimension to major international events, infrastructure development and city planning. An event is considered "green" and sustainable if it is designed, organized and staged in accordance with sustainability principles, with a special focus on environmental concerns.

Leading experts from the UK and India shared their experiences with Indian professionals that included city managers, architects, engineers, planners, and students. The symposium addressed issues concerning the greening of major sporting events such as Olympic and Commonwealth games, with specific sessions on sustainable architecture, low carbon energy efficient buildings, sustainable transport, and resource efficiency in planning. With the 2010 Commonwealth games in sight, the symposium was a well-timed effort that provided a platform where like-minded professionals from relevant fields got together and discussed the developmental activities in the Capital city Delhi, and the impact of indiscriminate construction and a growing population on the ecology of cities in terms of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Building experts from UK and India presented on topics related to integrating energy efficient and renewable energy techniques into building design. Various city representatives presented case studies of cities in India and UK that have undertaken initiatives to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.

In the concluding session of the event city managers of India shared their viewpoints on green and energy efficient cities, sustainable buildings and discussed the various actions taken by their respective cities in addressing the key issues addressed at the symposium. The Orissa delegation urged for setting up a Long Lasting UK-India Cities forum to continue the dialogue between tow nations and encourage other countries to join the important Forum.