The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has recently announced the selection of 25 cities for the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge under the Smart Cities Mission.
The Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge: An Overview
Launched in November 2020, the Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge is a 3-year initiative. This program works closely with Indian cities along with their partners to pioneer and expand methods that enhance public space, mobility, neighbourhood planning, accessibility to early childhood services and amenities, and streamline data management across various city departments. The program aims to instill an approach centred around early childhood in Indian cities.
Partner Organisations
This initiative is a collaborative effort among several organizations including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF), and the World Resources Institute (WRI) India.
Support to Selected Cities
Cities are chosen based on their proposed projects, readiness, and commitment. Selected cities will receive technical support and capacity-building to develop, pilot, and scale solutions that enhance life quality for young children.
Significance of the Initiative
The urban design and city planning aspects of this challenge play a significant role in shaping the early years (0-5 years) of a child’s life as they are crucial for long-term health and development. The program aligns with the Infant, Toddler, Caregiver-Friendly Neighbourhoods (ITCN) framework of the Smart Cities Mission, aiming to create neighbourhoods that are safe, playful, accessible, inclusive, and green. Moreover, it promotes inclusive development by enhancing opportunities in urban areas for all vulnerable citizens, especially young children.
Smart City Mission: A Brief
The Smart City Mission is an innovative initiative under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It aims to drive economic growth and enhance people’s quality of life by enabling local development and utilizing technology to create smart outcomes for citizens.
Objectives, Focus, and Strategy
The primary objective of the Mission is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure, offer a decent quality of life to its citizens, maintain a clean and sustainable environment and apply Smart Solutions. The focus lies on sustainable and inclusive development, aiming to create a replicable model which will act like a beacon to other aspiring cities. The strategy involves a pan-city initiative in which at least one Smart Solution is applied city-wide, developing areas step-by-step with the aid of three models: Retrofitting, Redevelopment, and Greenfield.
Coverage, Duration, and Financing
The Mission covered 100 cities over the span of five years from the financial year (FY) 2015-16 to 2019-20. The financing of the initiative is through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
