Union Minister of State for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu today said that Indian cities are dealing with problems of urbanization with a positive approach that is unfolding new urban renaissance in the country. <br/><br/>The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a three day BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave in Mumbai today. Mr. Naidu said that urbanization is an inevitable phenomenon worldwide and the challenges of urbanization can be converted into opportunities with better collaboration with other nations.<br/><br/>Speaking about Indian cities, Mr. Naidu said in India every city is competing with other for betterment and finding Green solutions for problems like waste management transport etc. He also said that the development oriented paradigm shift approach adopted by Indian cities these days is unfolding new urban renaissance in the country and would transform its cities into greener and cleaner places.<br/><br/>He also added that there is a need to strengthen the Indian urban local bodies and improve its governance and Indian cities can learn a lot from BRICS nations in this regard.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Maharashtra is the most urbanized state in India as more that 50 percent of people live in urban areas in the state also it has many million plus cities. <br/><br/>He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged the benefits of urbanization and accordingly designed schemes like AMRUT and Smart Cities projects among others. He informed that two cities from Maharashtra are selected for central government's smart cities project; however, the State Government is determined to develop 10 cities as smart cities. <br/><br/>He also stated that countries from developed economy are collaborating with Maharashtra cities for development projects. He said that that urban mobility is the key to urban development and hence the state government intends to create integrated transport system to reduce carbon footprint.<br/><br/>On the occasion, a special book on Urban Challenges called 'Making of Vibrant BRICS Cities' was released at the hands of Venkaiah Naidu. Over 35 experts on this subject from around the world have contributed to this book. <br/><br/>Besides, a special stamp cover was also released by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.<br/>Mayor of Mumbai Snehal Ambekar, and dignitaries of Bricks nations were present on the occasion.

Union Minister of State for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu today said that Indian cities are dealing with problems of urbanization with a positive approach that is unfolding new urban renaissance in the country. <br/><br/>The Minister was speaking at the ingratiation of a three day BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave in Mumbai today. Mr. Naidu said that urbanization is an inevitable phenomenon worldwide and the challenges of urbanization can be converted into opportunities with better collaboration with other nations.<br/><br/>Speaking about Indian cities, Mr. Naidu said in India every city is competing with other for betterment and finding Green solutions for problems like waste management transport etc. <br/><br/>He also said that the development oriented paradigm shift approach adopted by Indian cities these days is unfolding new urban renaissance in the country and would transform its cities into greener and cleaner places. <br/><br/>He also added that there is a need to strengthen the Indian urban local bodies and improve its governance and Indian cities can learn a lot from BRICS nations in this regard.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis said that Maharashtra is the most urbanized state in India as more that 50 percent of people live in urban areas in the state also it has many million plus cities. <br/><br/>He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged the benefits of urbanization and accordingly designed schemes like AMRUT and Smart Cities projects among others. <br/><br/>He informed that two cities from Maharashtra are selected for central government's smart cities project; however, the State Government is determined to develop 10 cities as smart cities. He also stated that countries from developed economy are collaborating with Maharashtra cities for development projects. <br/><br/>He said that that urban mobility is the key to urban development and hence the state government intends to create integrated transport system to reduce carbon footprint.<br/><br/>On the occasion, a special book on Urban Challenges called 'Making of Vibrant BRICS Cities' was released at the hands of Mr.Venkaiah Naidu. Over 35 experts on this subject from around the world have contributed to this book. <br/><br/>Besides, a special stamp cover was also released by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.<br/>Mayor of Mumbai Smt. Snehal Ambekar, and dignitaries of Bricks nations were present on the occasion.