BRICS nations for 'integrated approach' to urban development

BRICS nations have called for an "integrated approach" to urban development in an inclusive and sustainable manner through larger involvement of people as they expressed concern over the consequences of "unplanned and unanticipated" urban expansion in member countries.

At the end of the three-day conference on "Urban Transition of BRICS" here this evening, the member countries comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, also called for a new "social contract" among the governments, people and other stakeholders to collectively address the challenges in urban transition and enable an urban renaissance.

Ministers, policy makers, experts and members of academia from member countries, who took part in the plenary sessions during the conference, stressed on the need for inclusive and sustainable urban development approaches based on people's participation in managing urban affairs.

Expressing concern over the consequences of unplanned and unanticipated urban expansion, they pointed out that enhancing planning, technical and financial capacities of city governments was the need of the hour.

"Coordinated policies of federal, provincial and city governments are essential for an integrated approach to urban development and for forging effective partnerships with private sector for resource mobilisation in an enabling environment," they added.

Addressing the closing session of the conference, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Rao Inderjit Singh urged the BRICS nations to step up cooperation to effectively address the new urban agenda focusing on inclusive urban development.

He said member countries should ensure effective follow up actions in pursuance of new urban agenda that would be finalised at the HABITAT-III Conference to be held in Quito, Ecuador next month.

Perspectives of members countries on various issues concerning urban transition, common concerns and positions thereon would be presented at the 'BRICS Summit' to be held in Goa next month.