The Indo-German Smart City Solutions Workshop - Global approach local solutions India

May, 13th 2017

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More than 50 decision makers from nearly 30 smart cities participated in the Smart city solutions workshop to develop specific ideas for improving infrastructure and services in India.

Delhi - May 13th 2017: Fraunhofer in association with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany, the Indian Ministry of Urban Development, the Government of India, and the National Institute of Urban Affairs organised an Indo-German Smart City Solutions Workshop on 9th May in New Delhi. The workshop was organised as a part of the Indo-German cooperation on Smart Cities and Urban Infrastructure which has expressed support to Kochi, Coimbatore, and Bhubaneshwar funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Among the participants of the smart city solutions workshop there were government representatives from more than 31 Indian cities, senior policy makers and officials who are major stakeholders and decision makers in the implementation of various government initiated smart city projects in India. The workshop also witnessed the participation of experts and dignitaries such as Dr. Jasper Wieck, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) of the German Embassy in New Delhi, Shri Anupam Mishra, Economic Advisor of the Ministry of Urban Development and the Government of India, and Mr Jagan Shah, Director of the National Institute of Urban Affairs. Mr. Ambitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog delivered the keynote speech at the closing session of the workshop and responded to the suggestions and outcomes of the deliberations.

The objective of the workshop was to share the best practices and expertise in smart solutions and models gained through the Morgenstadt Global Smart Cities Initiative which is supported by a Consortium of more than 40 partners from industry, NGO, government and research institutions. The Morgenstadt Initiative is coordinated by Fraunhofer and includes already several smart city labs and initiatives across Europe, as well as in Asia and Latin America. 

The workshop was divided into three main sessions - Smart Energy & Water Session, Smart Mobility & ICT and Smart Governance & Management System, it also included sessions on topics Smart Water Management, Financing Models for Indian Smart Cities, Sustainable Energy Systems for Smart Cities and Energy and Building. The lectures were followed by interactive Q&A sessions. In addition to the workshop, information on specific technologies was also displayed.

Mr. Ambitabh Kant, CEO Niti Aayog

“Rapid urbanisation is putting a strain on the infrastructure, environment and social fabric of cities and to overcome this accelerating expansion, India will follow countries like Germany and adapt the high quality of engineering technology that it has to offer to India to leap from and overcome the alarming challenge of urbanisation. Investments will be required to stabilise, augment as well as build a robust urban infrastructure.”

Dr. Jasper Wieck, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), German Embassy New Delhi

“Finding solutions for sustainable, energy-efficient and liveable cities is not a task for one nation alone; it requires international collaboration. This is why the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has launched an international research marketing campaign under the title “Shaping the Future – Building the City of tomorrow”. The workshop organised by Fraunhofer Society is a part of this campaign. I am glad that Fraunhofer takes such an active role in this important field. India and Germany are strategic partners. Germany has a lot to offer when it comes to creating smart and thriving cities. Building the cities of tomorrow is an enormous global challenge that India and Germany will tackle jointly. A joint Indo-German Working Group on Urbanization has been formed. Moreover, within India’s Smart Cities Mission, Germany is lending support to three Indian cities: Bhubaneshwar, Kochi and Coimbatore.” 

Ms. Anandi Iyer, Director, Fraunhofer Office India

"Fraunhofer has been at the forefront of Innovation and Technology for more than 6 decades with a strong global footprint. The "Morgenstadt" or Future Cities Initiative coordinated by Fraunhofer and funded by the German Government has enriched the Consortium partners coming from Industry, Research and City Administration with immense experiences from activities in countries across Europe and also resulted in tools/mechanisms for preparing and implementing smart city initiatives. This workshop will focus on the best practices and experiences gained through the Morgenstadt Programme so that Indian officials and decision makers from Smart Cities can get a headstart and exposure into practices around the world. The fact that more than 30 Indian cities have confirmed their participation in this event underscores the importance and relevance of this Initiative."

Damian Wagner, Senior Project Manager Smart Cities and Coordinator of the Morgenstadt Global Smart City Initiative Project at Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO

"Smart Cities in India are currently seeing great opportunity but are also required to cope with complex challenges facing new technological, multi-sectoral shifts within a highly dynamic environment. The joint Morgenstadt Global Smart Cities Project aims to provide solid expertise about technologies, financial instruments and comprehensive development of implementation strategies & processes which will be key to implementing India’s 100 smart city mission."