The Odisha Government’s two innovative urban initiatives namely - Urban Wage Employment Initiative (UWEI) implemented in all 114 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) in Brahmapur have been shortlisted in the top 15 at the prestigious 2020 Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation as exemplary models of innovative policies and practices.
Furthermore, Odisha Government’s another innovative and people-centric urban mission ‘Drink from Tap Mission’ in Puri has also been selected in the top 30 list of deserving interventions.
Panchayati Raj, DW , Law ,Housing and Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena has congratulated the department and officials concerned for their persistent hard work and dedication in setting benchmarks.
While the UWEI was shortlisted for reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience of the urban population in the State, the initiative in Brahmapur was chosen for promoting sustainable environment conservation and women empowerment through faecal sludge and septage management in the city.
The 2020 Guangzhou Award aimed at recognizing innovation in improving social, economic and environmental sustainability in cities and regions across the world had received 273 initiatives submitted from 175 cities from 60 countries.
The award is co-sponsored by the City of Guangzhou and reputed global networks of cities and local, regional, and metropolitan governments, namely United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis).
The Award is also supported by renowned global networks committed to sustainable development and addressing climate change namely, ICLEI and C40.
The other 15 shortlisted cities of the 5th Guangzhou Award are: City of Unley, Australia; Wien, Austria; São José dos Pinhais, Brazil; Chongqing Municipality, China; Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark; Quito, Ecuador; Bandung City Government,
Indonesia; Union of Municipalities, Lebanon; Municipality Of Antananarivo (Commune Urbaine d'Antananarivo, Madagascar; Breda, Netherlands; Departmental Council of Saint Louis, Senegal; City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa; Los Angeles, USA.
