Urban-20: An international platform to offer insights into sustainable urban planning in India

Following months of planning and preparations, Urban 20 or U20 was officially launched in Gandhinagar last month. During the inaugural ceremony, the logo, website, and social media handles of urban-20 or U20 were unveiled to the public. Under G20, the Urban 20 will act as an international platform, inviting global leaders and scholars to formulate sustainable urban policy in compliance with the current climate change scenario.

Urban- 20 or U20 is a unique concept that focuses solely on addressing issues like climate change, social inclusion, sustainable mobility, and affordable housing.

Inadequacy of infrastructural services, basic amenities; environmental degradation; traffic jam and city structure; and socioeconomic insecurity will be the target areas of the initiative.

It is an important city diplomacy initiative that targets the role of cities in advancing the sustainability agenda forward. Furthermore, this cycle will act as a platform for leaders from across the world who will engage in discussions and collective action.

Under the tag of U20, various events and meetings including City Sherpas' inception meeting on February 9 and U20 Mayors' Summit in July 2023 will be organised in Ahmedabad in collaboration with C40 (Climate 40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

The U20 cycle is scheduled to begin in February 2023 and end with the Mayor's summit in July 2023. This will mark the onset of important discussions and decisions making in the field of climate change, sustainability and affordable housing at local level.