How should the cities of the future be planned? The younger generation put forward a range of creative and practical suggestions in response to this question, envisioning a future where development is transparent, inclusive, and sustainable.
One key proposal was the need for greater public involvement in government-funded projects. Participants emphasised that if beneficiaries were able to audit every phase of urban development—from planning to execution—and if real-time updates on key decisions were made accessible at the click of a button, it would elevate governance and transparency to another level.
The event, held at Mahatma Gandhi University, served as a platform to integrate youth perspectives into Kerala’s urban development policies.
As cities evolve, they must strike a balance between progress and heritage preservation. Participants highlighted the importance of safeguarding historical monuments, cultural traditions, and architectural legacies while simultaneously showcasing them to a global audience. Another crucial suggestion was to enhance government websites beyond basic notifications, ensuring the seamless dissemination of real-time, citizen-centric information.
The event was organised by The Centre for Technology and Human Development Studies (CTHDS) at Mahatma Gandhi University in collaboration with the Kerala Institute for Local Administration (KILA) Urban Policy Cell, UNICEF, and the School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies at MGU. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. C.T. Aravindakumar, inaugurated the programme.
Dr. Rajesh Mani, Director, CTHDS, Dr. P.P. Noushad, Director of the School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies, UNICEF Consultant M. Maneesh, KILA Consultant Antony Augustin, and Dr. Rajesh Mani shared their insights. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 140 students from 22 colleges
