Ayodhya Development Authority & SBUT Win Top Spot in FICCI Awards
The winning entries showcased notable projects: a city beautification and tourist facility initiative in Ayodhya City by the Ayodhya Development Authority, and a redevelopment project in Bhendi Bazaar, Mumbai by SBUT. These projects exemplified significant advancements in enhancing urban living conditions, supporting economic sustainability, and improving overall safety and resilience.
The fifth edition of the awards saw a record 98 entries, underscoring the event's growing importance. The awards uniquely highlight the collaborative efforts of industry players and cities in making urban spaces more livable and business-friendly. Entries were evaluated based on both quantifiable and qualitative criteria, focusing on the progressiveness, scalability, and applicability of each project.
Jagan Shah, CEO of Infravision Foundation and former Director of the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), highlighted the success of the Smart Cities Mission in shifting the focus from urban problems to urban solutions over the past decade. "The Smart Cities Mission has contributed significantly to promoting local sustainability and self-sufficiency," Shah noted. "For the first time, cities were asked to imagine what they would like to do across various areas, from healthcare and transportation to air quality management and education, rather than simply being asked to install basic infrastructure."
Shah emphasised the entrepreneurial nature of the mission, which provided funding to cities on a competitive basis, encouraging them to develop innovative visions for urban transformation. This approach has led to over 5,700 projects, each representing innovations in public-private partnerships, localised technology incubation, and solutions tailored to the needs of individual cities.
JVS Ramakrishna, Co-Chairman, FICCI Committee on Urban Development and Real Estate & Global BU Head – Sustainable Smart World, L&T Technology Services, also emphasised the importance of holistic approach and collaboration in creating sustainable urban spaces. "Building business-friendly cities requires a holistic approach, not just in terms of infrastructure, but also technology, policies, sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation," Ramakrishna stated. "It demands collaboration between the public and private sectors, especially in long-term planning and investments."
In addition, SK Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI, underlined that business-friendly cities should be a top priority for the new government in the next five years. He cited the example of business-friendly cities like Ahmedabad and Surat, which offer a more conducive business environment.
