26-27 August 2013 - Center for Urban Green Spaces

C
reation and management of green
spaces (including urban forests) has
gained importance as urbanization
becomes the most significant reason for
human migration in the world. Urban
Green Spaces provide town and city
dwellers with significant environmental,
recreational and material benefits. They
are also home to a vast diversity of flora
and fauna and are recognized as important
repositories of biodiversity.
This is particularly true for
developing countries where urbanization is
progressing at an unprecedentedly rapid
rate and a demographic switch from a
predominantly rural to a predominantly
urban society is taking place. UN figures
indicate that in 1990 only 37% of the total
population of developing countries was
living in urbanized area. It is predicted that
by the year 2025 the proportion will be 61%. Already rapid and uncontrolled
urbanization in many developing countries is having fundamental social
and environmental consequences. The role of Urban Green Spaces in
ameliorating this situation is critical and needs to be recognized in planning,
creation and management of rapidly expanding urban human settlements.
From every angle - demographic, environmental or social - cities in
the Indian subcontinent are far more significant today. In India alone, they
are home to an estimated 340 million people, or 30% of total population. By
2030, existing and new Indian cities are expected to provide shelter to 590
million people, or 40% of the population. It is a fact that urbanization in
Indian sub-continent is well underway, and will continue.. There is an
urgent need to engage with this reality of an Urban future and look for
answers to questions about longterm sustainability and environmental
robustness of our cities.
Objectives
Ÿ To sensitize participants about criticality of
urban green spaces in the context of
emerging urbanization scenario.
Ÿ To exchange information on best practices and
analyze success stories from the field.
Ÿ To inform about tools and mechanisms
available for management of urban green
spaces.
Ÿ To provide opportunities of networking with
peers from different geographical settings.
Workshop Structure
Ÿ Theoretical perspectives functional role of
urban green spaces
Ÿ Case studies of successful initiatives from
various parts of the country.
Ÿ Technical sessions on tools and techniques in
urban green space management
Participation Profile
This program is exclusively for the senior officers of the level of Sr. Environment
Engineer, Sr. Architect/Planner, Superintending/Executive Engineer of Municipal
Corporation/Councils, Development Authorities and State Pollution Control Boards
from different parts of the country.
Number of Seats and Nomination Deadline
The number of seats are limited to 60 and will be filled on first come first serve basis.
Nomination must reach AMDA by July 31, 2013 by email, fax, or courier as per details
overleaf.
Fee
Ÿ
Field Trip and Interactive Discussions.
There is no delegation/participation fee as the program is being sponsored by
Association of Municipalities and Development Authorities. However, TA/DA of the
participants will have to be borne by the concerned State Governments/Agencies.
In year 2008 the world
crossed an important
demographic milestone when
urban population on Earth
equaled its rural population,
for the first time in
human history.
Urbanization in Asia has been
growing at a rapid rate and is
expected to accelerate in
the future. It is forecasted that
17 out of 27 world's largest
mega-cities will be
in Asia by 2015.
Today, 310 million people live
in India's cities. By 2030, this
number will be 575 million.
By 2045, 800 million!. Every
minute, 30 Indians leave
rural India for its cities!!
Urban parks, gardens and
natural landscapes are better
known for their non market or
intangible benefits. The flow
value of annual output of forest
eco system goods and services in
Beijing, China has been estimated
to be around $6.3 billion.