School of Human Settlements, XIM University, Odisha, hosts Annual Research on Cities Summit 6.0
The School of Human Settlements, XIM University, Odisha, hosted its annual urban conclave, Annual Research on Cities Summit 6.0 on 10th, 11th and 12th February 2022. The theme for ARCS 6.0 was ‘Urban Green Transition: Decoding Opportunities and Challenges’. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), New Delhi, was the knowledge partner for the event. The event was brought to us by HabituX- The Student Association of SHS and in collaboration with CAS-SHS. The welcome note for the event was presented by Dr. Kajri Misra, Dean, School of Human Settlements followed by an inaugural speech by Fr. S Antony Raj SJ, Registrar, XIM University, Odisha. The keynote address was delivered by Shri Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary and Mission Director (MoHUA, GoI).
The School of Human Settlements and the entire fraternity of XIM University believe that our cities are on the brink of climate change. Focusing on sustainable choices is the only way out at this critical junction. Thus, ARCS 6.0 aimed to bring together the greatest minds worldwide to show a way forward towards a sustainable urban space through the green transitions.
More than 100 participants and speakers from various domains including students, industry professionals, academicians, and researchers were part of ARCS 6.0. A total of 60 technical papers were presented in the parallel technical sessions, and 4 plenary sessions were organized over a period of three days. The themes for the technical sessions were:
i. Urban Politics and Planning
ii. Environmental Risk and Resilience
iii. Digital Transformation, E-governance, and circular economy
iv. Public Space and Placemaking
v. Green Mobility
vi. Urban Health, Water and Sanitation
vii. Gender Responsive Cities
viii. Housing and Shelter: the Question of Affordability and Accessibility
ix. Circular Economy and Green Finance
x. Planning Education: What needs to be changed
The panelists in the various plenary sessions included reputed international and national members of the industry and academia. The speakers included Frank D’hondt (Secretary General, ISOCARP), Piotr Lorens (Head, Department of Urban Design and Regional Planning, Gdansk University of Technology, Poland), Markus Appenzeller (Director MLA+, Netherlands), Dr. Umamaheshwaran Rajasekar (Head, C-Cube and Chair, Urban Resilience Unit, NIUA), Mr. Sebastian Goethals (Director, CITILINKS), Mr. Monu Ratra (MD & CEO, IIFL), Mr. Vishnu Swaminathan (Founder and Director, IHF), Ms. Nupur Prothi Khanna (Founder, Beyond Built), Mr. Shishir Ranjan Dash (Lead, Urban Habitat, TATA Trust), Dr. Antarim Chakraborty (Associate Fellow and State Team Lead, JAGA Mission), Ms. Preeti Panda Panigrahi (Senior Manager, Janagraha), etc. to name a few.
The themes discussed in the plenary sessions are as follows:
i. Urban Green Transitions: Global Agenda, Local Action
ii. Role of Markets in Delivering Affordable and Adequate Housing in India
iii. Climate Action in Cities
iv. Lessons from JAGA Mission: A Participatory Slum Upgradation Programme in Odisha
The valedictory ceremony was held on 12th February, 2022. During the ceremony, the conference round-up was presented by Dr. Tathagata Chatterji, Convener of ARCS 6.0. followed by the valedictory keynote address by Shri Hitesh Vaidya, Director NIUA, New Delhi. This was followed by result declaration of the AURA award and photo essay competition by Fr. S. Antony Raj SJ, Registrar, XIM University, and Shri Sarath Babu M, Lead- Data and Technology, Climate Centre for Cities, NIUA respectively. The vote of thanks for ARCS 6.0 was delivered by Dr. Jublee Mazumdar Co- convenor of ARCS 6.0.