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Partnerships vital for sustainable cities, says Selja

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja today stressed the need for addressing urban planning issues on a priority basis, saying it was the lack of proper planning and lack of vision regarding migration and city growth that had led to the mushrooming of slums. Speaking on the occasion of the World Habitat Day, she said good governance played a critical role in urban sustainability and the long-term success of cities. Partnerships have to be built up on a larger scale between the governing and the governed, between the developed and the developing, between business interests and social justice between the empowered and marginalised, said the Minister. The theme of this year World Habitat Day is Harmonious Cities, and to emphasis this the Minister said one cannot talk about harmonious cities, balanced territorial development and sustainable urbanisation without addressing the issues of gender equality. Equality, good governance, gender awareness in planning, involving women in the decision making process are essential to a harmonious cities, Ms Selja reiterated.