New scheme to rejuvenate glory of old cities

Jagmohan, who recently toured the southern states to explore and identify the places to be recreated under the scheme, `Rejuvenation of cultural cities’, said besides Banaras, among the other cities being considered in the scheme, were Madurai, Trichy, Hyderabad, Dwarka and Konarak.

He said the scheme would open up new avenues of economic growth in these cities and areas of possible collaboration.

Emphasising the need for a cultural tie among nations, he said, technology would make the world “just a confrontation of cities” unless there was a new value system.

He quoted the latest data showing a rise in poverty levels and said unless “anachronistic” tendencies are removed there cannot be sustainable growth. “Sustainability cannot come without cultural values and we are still consumerist in our approach,” he addded.

Referring to French architect Corbusier’s Chandigarh and Lutyen’s Delhi, Jagmohan said relations between India and Europe were not new but needed to be strengthened.

Delhi Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor said the “illogical process” of creating infrastructure in cities after people immigrate into them was the “root of our urban mess”.

He said the process had to be reversed and expressed the hope that the approach of “marginal excess” in cities will be incorporated in the Master Plan.

French Ambassador Bernard de Montferrand, said India and the EU have decided to meet regularly to sustain intensive ties. “We want constant interaction on major issues. We are different but face similar challenges.”

Michel Caillouet, head of the Delegation of the European Commission in India, spoke about a EU project collaborating with local authorities in Indian cities for urban development.

As many as 20 professionals from the EU and 40 fromIndia will hold discussions on urban management concerns and potential areas of collaboration during the conference.