This year’s theme was ‘better city better life designed to live together’. Planned urbanization maximizes the capacity of cities to generate employment and wealth, and to foster diversity and social cohesion between different classes, cultures, ethnicity and religions. Cities designed to live together create opportunities, enable connection, interaction, and facilitate sustainable use of shared resources.
Government of India has come up with many flagship programme for the development of cities like smart city mission, AMRUT and housing for all and also NULM etc. 33% of Berhampur population lives in slums and suffer due to the absence of basic facilities like water, sanitation, housing, public space and a better living condition specifically the children are the worst sufferer. Mostly the city has failed to provide basic necessities to the people and children living in poverty situations and poor living conditions.
On this occasion, more than 160 children from 30 slums and 30 child clubs disused the issues of Berhampur specifically on public space and basic services in slums in the city. They appealed to provide adequate space for public convenience specifically for children’s park, play area and open space and other basic facilities while planning the city. Children also demanded to ensure their participation in city planning, governance and development.
Members of Youth for Social Development – Shashikant Das, Srinivas Dora, Abhiram Kanhar, Chandan Sahu, Suchitra Rout and Sujata Bisoi facilitated in this program.