Page 10 - Shelter, October 2024
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THEME PAPER
to be brought about by the for promoting citizen public spaces and places that
beneficiary states. It proposed engagement and good are functional and accessible
to modify the existing two- governance practices. by all, ensuring that all people,
tier system of urban local regardless of gender, age, or
governance into a three-tier Holistic engagement in policy ability, can traverse and use
system by adding the Area and planning processes is urban settings securely and
Sabha/Mohalla Sabha as thus crucial for creating comfortably. By incorporating
the lowest layer. According vibrant, inclusive, and a youth lens into every stage
to MoUD, till 2011, 12 states sustainable cities. Young of the planning and design
had enacted a CPL and 7 citizens can bring valuable process, urban landscapes
more states had passed it or local insights and contextual can be transformed to meet
modified their existing laws knowledge that provide the various requirements of
incorporating crucial points novel perspectives. Current diverse population groups
of the Law. urban policies are beginning effectively, taking into account
to embrace participatory their individual as well as
Consequently, a strategic approaches and community overlapping issues.
entry point to enhance mobilisation processes,
youth participation at the allowing young people to Young people have the
local municipality level is to contribute towards effective willingness to go beyond
constitute Youth Councils governance and planning. conventional wisdom
which are “often convened, Creating and offering of traditional decision-
organised, elected, and mentorship and skilling making and bring in novel
administered by youth” . programs for the youth can perspectives to approach
These Councils are formal further assist in closing the gap urban issues. Youth-led efforts
structures housed within between young innovators and commitments to promote
local governments wherein and decision-makers in the social justice, sustainability,
the membership follows the country. diversity, and inclusivity are
existing roles, responsibilities, challenging the boundaries
and structure for elected Urban planning and design of traditional urban planning
officials. Under their and paving a path for
mandate, city Youth Councils Urban planning is a critical inclusive and equitable cities.
can identify challenges faced aspect that influences the Such innovative efforts and
by community members physical, social, and economic solutions can be discovered
and engage with diverse landscapes of cities. To and hand-picked through
stakeholders to ideate formalise public participation crowd sourcing challenges,
solutions to present to their in planning processes, there youth-oriented festivals,
local governments. It is needs to be a shift from knowledge sharing platforms,
a platform for the youth providing passive feedback and global policy forums.
to directly get involved after project implementation
in governance and civic to active engagement and It is crucial for decision-
issues. Such Councils consultations from the initial making bodies, such
contribute towards planning and design stages of as advisory boards,
enhancing accountability the projects. Urban planning planning committees, and
and transparency and can be processes must prioritise the policymaking institutions,
leveraged as a mechanism design and implementation of to include consultations and
11 Make Space for Girls. Case Study: Stockholm, Sweden. Accessed at: https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk/case-studies/stockholm
8 HUDCO-HSMI Publication
