NEW DELHI (INDIA): Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited (MLDL), the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, today successfully concluded the third edition of its thought leadership platform ‘Confluence’, presented by Mahindra World City.
The knowledge forum convened in Delhi addressed the theme of ‘Building Cities To Last’ by bringing together diverse stakeholders representing urban ecosystems from across the globe – including Singapore, Barcelona, New York and Tel Aviv. Speakers and panelists engaged in wide-ranging discussions about current and future issues impacting global cities, together with potential solutions for the same.
Co-presented by McKinsey India as Knowledge Partner and ET Now as Media Partner, the forum served to demonstrate that with the right vision and flexibility in planning, cities can provide solutions for the world.
Speakers and panelists drew from their experiences and areas of expertise to discuss varied approaches to city creation and administration that transcend time, technology and generational evolution. Participants also explored the myriad dimensions that have served to define cities built to last, or cities that have remained relevant to stakeholders over time, lending themselves to continual change and innovation.
The overall focus was on defining the ethos of global cities that are successfully rooted in the future, with flexibility and sustainability core to their vision. This year, the conference was live-streamed.
Anita Arjundas, Managing Director, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., said, “As creators of pioneering integrated cities in India, we firmly believe that urbanisation must encompass planning for the socioeconomic needs of citizens, while ensuring a sustainable urban future that is socially harmonious and environmentally resilient.
With increasing global focus on urban development as an enabler of a more equitable, inclusive and resource-efficient future, Confluence aims to develop interpretations and strategies for building sustainable cities, thus contributing to the quality of human life and the viability of urban ecosystems.”
Sangeeta Prasad, CEO, Integrated Cities and Industrial Clusters, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., added, “Cities, for all their vibrancy and liveliness, today face the growing challenge of providing safe and sustainable places to live. Confluence serves as a collaborative platform that addresses questions of urban resilience and adaptation in the face of globalization and climate change. We would like to thank all our panelists, speakers and delegates for their contributions to the discussions at Confluence 2017; towards rethinking future cities as flexible and evolving spaces that better respond to the changing needs of citizens and the environment.”
Confluence 2017 featured two panel discussions and two key keynote sessions.
Panel 1 – ‘Cities: Learnings & Experiences’
The discussion brought together experts and leaders with extensive experience in energy practices, environmental sustainability, urban consulting, city creation/administration and industrial development. Esteemed panelists, having traversed challenges in city creation and administration in their areas of expertise, drew on their experiences as urban practitioners to cover best practices pertaining to a diverse set of topics – ranging from the integration of a city’s networks and infrastructure, to the relationship between spatial infrastructure, industrial development and resource efficiency. The overarching objective of the session was to define a balanced approach towards solving the myriad challenges in sustainable city creation, from a practitioner’s perspective.
Inspiring Ideas: Session 1: ‘Beauty of Inclusive Disorder’, Session 2: ‘Technology and Urban Experience’
‘Inspiring ideas’ comprised short sessions on breakthrough ideas/innovative approaches to building cities. The first session explored the importance and beauty of inclusive disorder in the urban context, while the second touched upon the possible applications of technology and digital sciences as determinants of city growth.
Panel 2 – ‘Urbanisation – Next’
The second panel at Confluence 2017 explored views by global leaders on urbanisation in the light of an increasingly dynamic world order. The panel comprised leaders from the realms of academia, business, urban planning, arts and humanities, who shared insights on new emerging trends for the future in the context of urbanisation, which are not directly related to cities. Discussions touched upon how urbanisation is not about building a city – it is in the context of larger socioeconomic and changing physical needs of people. Other discussion points included how cities can best engage citizens in urban planning, and policies that can be designed to future proof cities. Panelists also discussed changes required in city regulation and governance in the changing world order and innovation in citizen engagement models that embrace civic participation and social inclusion.