Bhubaneswar: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Housing & Urban Development, Shrimati Usha Padhee underscored the critical necessity of integrating sustainability and inclusivity into the core of urban governance during the 10th New Approaches to Urban Development, Governance and Resilience Conference at XIM University.
Addressing a gathering of policymakers, academics, and urban planners, ACS Smt. Padhee articulated a vision where cities are not merely physical infrastructures but vibrant, living ecosystems that must be engineered for the well-being of every citizen.
ACS Smt.Padhee emphasized that the transition to future-ready cities depends heavily on planned growth that anticipates long-term demographic shifts and environmental challenges. She noted that for urban centers to remain livable, development strategies must move beyond traditional models toward innovation-oriented management. This includes creating climate-resilient frameworks and social safety nets that ensure no community is left behind in the race for modernization.
ACS Smt. Padhee also highlighted that inclusivity is the cornerstone of resilience. By focusing on equitable access to resources, housing, and public services, cities can better withstand economic and ecological shocks. Her address served as a call to action for urban local bodies to adopt technology-enabled and community-partnered development paths, ensuring that the progress of today does not compromise the livability of tomorrow.
The conference served as a platform for discussing how Odisha’s urban transformation models, such as the focus on dignity-led housing and water security, can provide a roadmap for other rapidly growing regions.
ACS Housing & Urban, Smt. Padhee concluded by reaffirming that the ultimate goal of urban governance is to foster environments where opportunity and quality of life are accessible to all.