Ministry of Urban Development partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies for Smart Cities Initiative

Union Ministry of Urban Development partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies to advance the Smart Cities Initiative of the Union Government.

The partnership was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg on 16 February 2015.

Under the partnership, Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide funds and other assistance on continuous basis to the Union Ministry of Urban Development to implement the Smart Cities project in select cities.

Prime Minister’s Smart Cities Initiative
The Smart Cities Initiative is a historic effort undertaken by the Union Government to promote economic growth, improve governance, and deliver more effective and efficient public services to urban residents of India by involving stakeholder's participation.

This approach is different from the conventional approach wherein Detailed Project Reports were prepared and thereafter it required appraisal and approval by the Union Government.

The approach is different in the sense that it will make happen the engagement of real citizens, as people get involved both in design and execution of city development plans. This will actualize the idea of cooperative and competitive federalism.