Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department Partners with SPA Delhi to Drive Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Growth Across the State
In a major step towards strengthening urban governance and promoting sustainable and inclusive urban development, the Urban Development Department of Uttar Pradesh has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi.
This collaboration is a part of the department’s broader vision to transform urban areas across the state, particularly focusing on empowering smaller urban local bodies (ULBs) that often face limitations in capacity, expertise, and planning resources.
MoU Signing Marks a Milestone for Urban Capacity Building
The agreement was officially signed at the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Lucknow. The initiative is being actively supported by the Tata Trusts, further enhancing its scope and reach.
The MoU falls under the ambit of the Akanshi Nagar Yojana, a flagship scheme of the state government dedicated to advancing the development of smaller towns and cities by improving urban planning capabilities.
This strategic partnership is expected to play a critical role in addressing persistent challenges faced by smaller urban centres, such as inefficient resource allocation, unplanned infrastructure expansion, and a lack of environmental sustainability frameworks.
By leveraging the expertise of SPA Delhi, known for its academic excellence and professional contributions to urban planning, the department aims to fill a significant gap in technical knowledge and planning acumen among the personnel working in smaller municipalities.
Focus on Training, Knowledge Exchange, and Grassroots Impact
The collaboration entails the launch of specially designed training programmes aimed at officials serving in ULBs across the state. These capacity-building workshops and educational sessions will be conducted jointly by the Urban Development Department and experts from SPA Delhi.
The objective is to create a well-informed, professionally trained cadre of urban managers and planners who can tackle the complex and evolving challenges of urbanisation, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
The training modules will cover a wide array of topics such as sustainable infrastructure development, integrated urban resource management, inclusive growth strategies, smart governance practices, and disaster-resilient urban planning.
Importantly, these modules will be developed in a way that they are accessible and implementable at the grassroots level, ensuring practical value to on-ground officials.
Additionally, the initiative envisions fostering collaboration with regional institutions, academic bodies, and community stakeholders to enrich the training ecosystem and encourage knowledge exchange between experts and field practitioners.
Leadership’s Vision: Urban Growth Without Exclusion
Speaking at the event, Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, emphasized the inclusive nature of the initiative. He stated, “No town, be it large or small, will be left behind in Uttar Pradesh’s march towards comprehensive urban development.
Our objective is to empower every urban local body with the tools, training, and technical support they need to shape their futures effectively.”
He further highlighted the importance of providing equal attention and resources to small towns, which are often at the frontlines of urban expansion but lag in professional planning infrastructure.
“This partnership will ensure that urban planning is not just the privilege of major metropolitan cities but becomes a cornerstone of development even in the most modest urban settlements,” he added.
Road Ahead: A Blueprint for Scalable Urban Transformation
The MoU is seen as a foundational step in a broader mission to create a scalable and replicable model for urban transformation in India’s most populous state.
As part of the partnership, SPA Delhi will assist in developing customised training manuals, planning toolkits, and best practice frameworks that can be adopted across different municipalities according to their specific geographic and demographic needs.
Moreover, by institutionalising urban training and embedding it into the operational frameworks of ULBs, the government hopes to foster a culture of data-driven, citizen-centric urban planning that aligns with both national urban renewal goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A Strategic Leap Toward Smarter Cities
This collaborative move between the Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Department and the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, supported by Tata Trusts, signifies a pivotal step towards reshaping the urban landscape of the state.
By prioritising capacity building, strategic partnerships, and inclusive planning, Uttar Pradesh is setting the groundwork for long-term, sustainable, and equitable urban growth.
As the state looks ahead to a future marked by rapid urbanisation and changing demographics, initiatives such as this MoU reflect a forward-thinking approach to governance, where planning meets participation, and no city is left behind.
