IHS Alumni Association India
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Download the IHS Alumni India Newsletter published in November 2009. Also check the video and report from the IHS Alumni Seminar in New-Delhi held on 27 November 2009.
About the IHS(Rotterdam) Alumni Association of India :
The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Rotterdam is a leading international institute which, since last 51 years, is involved in capacity building, teaching, research and consultancy in the field of housing and urban development across the globe. Over the years, IHS has built up a unique global network with its alumni, governments, private sector and urban professionals. Out of a community of over 7,000 IHS alumni in over 140 countries, India has about 400. The IHS Alumni Association in India (IHSAAI) is one of the active Alumni Associations of IHS, involved in bringing together the urban professionals, planners, city managers, NGOs and private sector for continued learning and exchange of experiences. It is a registered body and has been conducting various events like Refresher Courses, Seminars, Exhibitions, etc. on pertinent issues in the urban sector. ‘IHSAAI Newsletter’ is published at regular intervals covering the IHS activities, updates and writings by the Alumni members on various issues relating to urban sector.
Proposed Refresher Course in November 2010
A Refresher Course on the topic of "Making Pro-poor PPPs work in urban public services in South Asian cities" will be organized in November/December 2010 in Bangalore, India for IHS Alumni members belonging to South Asian countries covering India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The economic slowdown in the South East Asia has reduced the investments in the urban sector, as well as the pace of achieving the commitments with regard to Millennium Development Goals. The situation calls for new initiatives to achieve the targets, particularly with respect to poverty alleviation, infrastructure services and renewed efforts to mobilize the participation of private sector and people towards inclusive growth. Today private sector participation seems to be a possible opportunity- not a panacea. In a situation in which existing service delivery is either too costly or inadequate, private sector participation is a means to enhance the efficiency and to mobilise private investments, thus expanding the resource base for basic services.
Although there are large scale privatization of public services happening in South Asian cities - India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, very limited information is available on their benefits, particularly for the poor at informal sector. The examples and practices with public private partnership range from small initiatives to large infrastructure projects. The experiences provide a rich variety of solutions in the spheres of basic services. This course will look at various forms of service delivery, such as social privatization that harness the efficiencies of private sector for public service provision which are also pro-poor. This course will look more closely at the various forms of PPPs which are not just pro-poor but in which the poor communities take an active part – the services that small and medium enterprises can provide. The course will include issues of gender, vulnerability and informality. The course will provide an exchange forum for best practices on pro-poor PPP. The course will provide an insight on the following issues:
1. How to broadbase the roles of the community, private sector and the governments/Urban Local Bodies in providing basic services which are efficient and effective?
2. How PPPs can be infused with inclusive growth and equity, that cater to all segments of the society?
3. With a large segment of the poor in the cities, how privatization of services can be linked with poverty alleviation.
4. What are the various forms of private, public and people’s partnerships?
5. What are the messages to learn from successful and not-so successful examples?
The mega-city of Bangalore, (population 5.8 million) is not only the beautiful grden city and the capital of Karnata state of India, but also known as the hub of information, innovation and infrastructure. Bangalore has an international airport and is known for its attractions, delicious palate of foods, gardens, salubrious climate, gentle people, culture, state of the art amenities and tourist facilities. It has always attracted professionals and is today known as incubator of new generation ideas. Bangalore provides an excellent location to brainstorm, learn and experience the urban issues, which is a venue of innovative professionals and partnerships. Bangalore itself demonstrates new paths of urban PPPs and will act as a catalyst in bringing new ideas from the experiences of cities in the South East Asia.
IHS (ROTTERDAM) Alumni Association of India
Ph.091-11-23070701, 9818384926,
7/2, Bhagwan Das Road, New Delhi 110001
e-mail: ak.jain6@gmail.com
