• The Context

    Urban areas are growing on a very fast rate in developing countries as well as developed world. 50 percent of world population live in urban areas, which is only 3 percent of the total landmass. In the present decade, at least 80 percent population growth occurs in towns and cities. The situation is more alarming in the developing nations, where 80 percent of the total population of the world will be there within the next 25 years. Out of 20 largest cities, 17 will be there in the developing world by the end of this decade. City authorities in India as well as in other developing countries are unable to provide them basic infrastructure and services. According to a recent estimate, by 2015, India will have 34 cities in the population size range of 1.5 million and above, 4 of which would have crossed 10.0 million marks, with the city of Mumbai having the largest concentration of more than 27 million. Such concentration trends in the demographic scenario of the developing world would surely subject its cities to greater risk to life and property due to extreme environmental stress, and due to impending disasters.

    As Urban World today, faces serious challenges of growth and its management. Across geographies, the issues of urbanization manifest in the form of overcrowding, congestion, insufficient infrastructure, inadequate service provisioning—mainly in terms of drinking water, sanitation, energy, transport, solid waste management, environmental degradation, and pollution, etc. These, along with the poor management of rapid growth, affect the socio-economic development of the country.

    The need to understand the dynamics of human settlements becomes imperative. Urbanization per se is a consequence of the economic growth process, as cities are the focal point for investments, much more than economic entities. They are often referred to as “crucibles” of modern civilization.

    The need of the time is understand the challenges faced by urban centers today and provide them with better information for good decision making. Hence, we need to convert challenges faced into opportunities and thus the International Academy of Urban Dynamics was conceived.

    The International Academy of Urban Dynamics has been conceptualized with the view to support urban planners, urban researchers, urban managers, and stakeholders from different countries, especially the SAARC region.

    The academy will provide various courses some of which will be regular courses for students, executives who have interest to develop their carrier in urban sector from India and abroad. Special consideration will be given to students from SAARC countries.

    It will also carryout research and documentation activities on various urban developmental issues & develop as a centered for Knowledge dissemination on urban issues. The Academy will also provide opportunity to do research based studies the near future.

    Various Capacity building programmes will be organized by the Academy. It will also offer customized courses on various urban related issues on request.

    Organisational Vision

    The International Academy for Urban Dynamics shall offer strategic contribution to urban vision, policy and planning across countries and cities through multi-level research, documentation, debate, advocacy and capacity building. It shall aid the crafting of innovative solutions to urban challenges through sharing, networking, dissemination & advisory services.

    Organisational Values

    The organization would like to develop a culture that would be founded on certain fundamental beliefs. These shall be inculcated and practiced among the members of the academy and would be internalized by every member. These values would be:
    • A pervading quest for excellence in all that the Academy does.
    • Perpetually learn and unlearn to remain state of the art.
    • The sharing and interpretation of knowledge that is grounded in ethics and truth.
    • A non-partisan analysis and evaluation of situations, facts & figures.
    • Advise that shall be non-adversarial in intent and positive in content with a view towards better alternatives.

    Contact Details

    International  Academy of Urban Dynamics
    All India Institute of Local Self Government
    M.N.Roy Human Development Campus
    Plot No.6,TPS Road No.12, 'F' Block, Opp. Teacher's Colony,
    Bldg.No.326, Bandra (East), Mumbai - 400 051,
    Maharashtra (India)
    Tel. : +91 - 22 - 26571713 / 14 / 15
    Fax. : +91 - 22 - 26572115
    Email : aiilsg@bom3.vsnl.net.in / dg@aiilsg.org
    Website : www.aiilsg.org