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URBAN GOVERNANCE

INNOVATIVE MODEL

FOR URBAN GOVERNANCE

- by the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development
of Kochi Municipal Corporation, Kerala

he Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-HED) was established by the Municipal
Corporation of Kochi (KMC) in the year 2002 to provide dedicated technical support to enhance its
Tcapacities and functioning. This constitutes a unique and innovative institutional model for technical support
to the urban local body. In the past 18 years, C-HED has supported KMC to undertake over thirty infrastructure
projects under an initiative called 'Mission Kochi'. It has also helped to implement over fifty initiatives for the
improvement of urban infrastructure and service delivery under various Government and externally funded
programmes. It has supported evidence-based policymaking, prepared investment plans and equipped KMC to
leverage resources and adopt contemporary approaches to sustainable and climate smart development. To achieve
this, C-HED has been proactive in reaching out to stakeholders on behalf of KMC and developing dialogue as well
as actively encouraging the initiation of projects. These feats have seen C-HED playing an integral role in raising
the status and profile of Kochi and its access and exposure to international networks and programmes.

BACKGROUND: ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES:

KMC has a population of over 650,000 contained within C-HED's main priority is to provide technical support to
an area of roughly 94.88 square kilometres. Prior to 2000, KMC and help conserve and promote the city's pluralistic
the role of KMC was mainly confined to sanitation and tax cultural, natural and built heritage while also leading it to
collection and it was yet to expand its role as a local body to environmentally sustainable development. To achieve
address development issues in an integrated and this, it was decided that the organization would undertake
research, project development, monitoring and
comprehensive manner.
knowledge management and prioritize the development
KEY DATES:
of a vision and strategic plan for the city in a consultative
Year Significance/Achievement manner. These priorities were established by KMC after
DISCLAIMER :
having detailed discussions with sectoral experts and
2002-2003 Formal establishment of Centre.
The projects featured in this publica on are the compila on of Award winning entries of HUDCO Best prac ces members of civil society organizations before the
2005 City Development Plan, initiation of Master
award 2019-20, and are selected by the awards jury based upon the informa on provided by the par cipa ng
Plan for Kochi City and World Mayors establishment of C-HED with the support and approval of
agencies for the awards, in form of write-ups and presenta ons. HUDCO does not take responsibility for the
Conference. the Government of Kerala.
accuracy, technical soundness or completeness of the content of these entries and shall not be liable for any loss or 2007 Expansion of mandate and change of name to
damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use or reliance on the contents of this C-HED. MOBILISATION OF RESOURCES:
publica on. 2012 Mission Clean Kochi. C-HED helps the city leverage and converge technical
The contents given in this publica on are for general reference only and not intended to replace the need for 2014 Kochi Selected for the Smart City Mission after and financial resources for development.
professional advice in any par cular area. a successful application.
2017 Evolution of the Centre into implementing new Financial: KMC provides maintenance and establishment
ideas for urban development in Kochi. support to the C-HED and channels funding for specific
2018 Smart Sustainable Urban Transport activities. The Centre sources CSR funds and donations
Project.
and facilitates access to grants and investments from
2020 Presentation made at World Urban Fo-
rum 10 – hosted by UN Habitat in Abu Government and International Programmes.
Dhabi

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