A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for planned urbanization in Himachal Pradesh was signed today in presence ofTown and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani between the state government and the Centre of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi.
On the behalf of the state government, Director Town and Country Planning Hemis Negi signed the agreement while Director SPA Virendra Kumar Paul signed on behalf of the School of Planning and Architecture. According to the MoU, regional-level action plans will be prepared for the districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Una.
Rajesh Dharmani said that this partnership will help initiate systematic urbanization in these districts. He added that considering the rapid pace of development in the state, the emergence of new cities will become a necessity in the future.
He further said that with the collaboration of the SPA, New Delhi, regional plans will be developed using technical expertise, a research-based approach and keeping in mind the geographical conditions of the state. These plans will be prepared with a focus on environmental conservation.
This initiative by the government will promote rural-urban integration and help reduce the increasing pressure on cities. Senior officers of the Department of Town and Country Planning and representatives of the SPA were also present on the occasion.