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Introduction
India is undergoing an economic, social and
political transformation brought about by urbanization and
globalization. While the ongoing urban transition poses numerous
challenges, it also offers significant opportunities for India to
accelerate economic growth and improve the overall quality of life for
its citizens. Whether this potential is realized depends critically on
how Indian Cities are managed. Strengthening Urban Management, through
capacity building, is therefore a key area by which cities can meet the
challenges of urban development.
Urbanization has led to not only pressures on
the delivery of urban civic services but also to the increasing
urbanization of poverty. Currently, about 80 million people live
below the poverty line in Indian cities and their numbers are
projected to rise dramatically over the next decade.
Strengthening Urban Management, through
capacity building, is therefore a key area by which cities
can meet the challenges of urban development. This entails the
creation of a conducive and enabling environment for urban
institutions to effectively perform their functions, and for urban
sector professionals to acquire the knowledge, skills and expertise
necessary to plan, manage and govern their cities.
THE ASCI-WBI CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN URBAN MANAGEMENT
The Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI)
and World Bank Institute (WBI) have entered in to partnership to
specifically support capacity building needs of Indian cities and have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to this effect. Establishing
Certification Program in Urban Management is a key initiative of the MOU.
The Water and Sanitation Program, South Asia is a key partner in this
initiative. The Certification Program has received the endorsement from
Government of India’s Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD).
The Certification Program in Urban Management is
designed to enhance the capacities of urban sector professionals who are
appropriately trained and have demonstrated their competence to
effectively take up challenging responsibilities in urban management.
The program seeks to provide urban professionals with a vehicle through
which they can gain the latest knowledge on key aspects of urban
management, and to develop innovative solutions to confront major issues
faced by Indian cities.
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To provide a broader, more holistic
perspective on the range of issues confronting Indian cities and
to explore new approaches to address them;
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To promote an active exchange of
experiences and enhance awareness of national and international
good practices for improving the accountability and
creditworthiness of urban local governments and ensuring
effective delivery of services, particularly to the urban poor;
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To assist city managers and senior staff of
urban local governments in developing appropriate management,
governance, leadership and organizational tools and strategies
to enable them to discharge their duties more effectively; and
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To enhance the skills of urban sector
professionals and enable them to formulate action plans to meet
strategic goals of their institutions.
The Program will offer the following three
complementary phases:
Phase 1: Training Module - Urban Governance,
Municipal Finance and Service Delivery, Poverty, Civic Engagement.
Phase 2: Preparation and submission of
Institutional Development Report (IDR)
Phase 3: Presentation of IDR
The first phase will be a resident training program
at ASCI for two weeks, and focuses on governance, municipal finance,
service delivery and poverty reduction in cities and towns.
During the first phase, the participants will
prepare a draft proposal on individual Institutional Development Report
(IDR) which would be discussed and finalized. Following the completion
of first phase, the participants will work extensively on the IDR and
submit the same within three months. ASCI will provide advisory inputs
and information support to the participants in preparation of IDR on a
regular basis.
The third and the final phase results in
presentation of IDR to a Panel of Experts at ASCI.
Phase 1
Urban Governance, Municipal Finance and Service
Delivery, Poverty and Civic Engagement.
This module presents the core features of and
approaches to urban governance focusing on the areas of municipal
finance, service delivery, poverty reduction and civic engagement.
The module content:
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Importance of Urbanisation
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Concepts and Principals of Good Urban
Governance
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An Overview of Urban Poverty and Poverty
Reduction Strategies in India
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Participatory Approaches in Urban
Governance and Poverty Reduction
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Municipal Finance
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Resource Mobilisation - Issues and
Strategies
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Property Tax Reforms in Municipalities
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Municipal Accounting and Budgeting
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Fostering and Managing Public Private
Partnerships
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Improving Urban Environmental Service
Delivery
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Water Supply and Sanitation
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Solid Waste Management
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Urban Transportation
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Management Information System
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Energy and Water Audit
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Human Resource Development and
Organizational Development
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National and International Good Practices
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