Indian delegation in Europe to study smart city development

An Indian delegation is on a week-long visit to Europe to study smart city and urban planning developments there, said an official on Friday.

"A 14-member Indian delegation from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad are on a week-long visit to Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Barcelona, to examine smart city and urban planning developments in Europe and share their experience with relevant experts," the delegation of the European Union to India said in a statement.

"This is a unique opportunity to examine first-hand the latest urban developments in Europe and relate them to India and also to identify topics and ways for future cooperation," B. Anand, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development said.

Speaking on the visit, H. Faergemann, First Counsellor - Environment, Energy, Climate Change, delegation of the EU to India said: "The visit of the Indian delegation builds on more than four years of EU-Indian cooperation on urban issues and sets the scene for new initiatives, such as the International Urban Cooperation project, which aims at bringing together city/regional stakeholders from the EU and India to exchange experience and know-how on sustainable urban development and climate action for cities."

The study tour is part of the Preparation for an EU-India Sustainable Urbanisation Partnership, which is being developed by the Spanish Engineering Company ACCIONA Ingeniería, in cooperation with Mumbai First.

The study tour started on March 19.

--IANS

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