Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, announced 25 shortlisted cities for the “nurturing neighbourhoods challenge” cohort, in collaboration with Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF) and technical partner WRI India.
A press release by CEO, Kohima Smart City Development Limited, Kovi Meyase stated that the challenge was a 3-year initiative aimed at supporting early childhood friendly neighbourhoods under the government’s “smart cities mission”.
The nurturing neighbourhoods challenge launched on November 4, 2020, invited participation from all smart cities, capitals of states, UTs and cities with population above 5 lakhs to participate.
During the three-month application period, over 100 cities were engaged through remote or in-person discussions and online capacity-building workshops under the challenge.
The first stage of the challenge involved an open call for applications from city agencies and closed on February 7, 2021. 63 cities from across India submitted applications proposing neighbourhood-level pilot projects in public space, mobility, and access to services to enhance the physical and psychological health of young children and their caregivers.
From the list of applicant cities, the evaluation committee chose 25 cities based on the strength of their applications.
Cities proposed a diverse array of pilot projects, including creating toddler-friendly walking corridors in residential neighbourhoods; safer commutes to early childhood services for vulnerable young children and caregivers living in urban slums; increasing opportunities for nature play and sensory stimulation and adapting underused open spaces within government school grounds into public play areas after school hours.
Besides streets and open spaces, other proposed pilots aim to address the need for early childhood amenities in government office premises, bus shelters and transit hubs; developing Anganwadis with nutrigardens and age-appropriate play equipment; and transforming outdoor waiting areas for PHCs with shade, seating, and lactation cubicles.
