UP Urban Development Department signs MoU with School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi

Lucknow : In a major step toward strengthening urban development in Uttar Pradesh, the state’s Urban Development Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi. The agreement was formalized on Wednesday at the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies in Lucknow, under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

This initiative, supported by Tata Trusts, falls under the Urban Development Department’s Akanshi Nagar Yojana and aims to address the challenges faced by smaller urban local bodies in urban planning training and capacity building. For this, the Department will run special training programs for the officials of local urban bodies in collaboration with SAP, Delhi.

This initiative is an important step towards addressing the lack of urban planning expertise in smaller towns of Uttar Pradesh. Following CM Yogi Adityanath’s vision, the goal is to ensure that cities in the state grow in a sustainable and inclusive manner. The effort focuses on building a strong network of trained urban managers to deal with the unique challenges faced by smaller urban local bodies, such as infrastructure development, resource management, and sustainable growth.

Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, highlighted the importance of the MoU and said that it reflects the department’s commitment to ensuring that no town, no matter how small, is left behind in the state’s journey of urban development. He added that the partnership will provide an integrated training program, promote collaboration with state and regional institutions, and offer special training manuals that reach the grassroots level.

Prof. Virendra Kumar Paul, Director of the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi, emphasized the broader vision of the initiative. He said the MoU focuses on developing urban infrastructure across India and aims to create a pool of skilled urban managers who can help build sustainable, climate-resilient, and culturally vibrant cities that make the country proud.

Notably, the initiative ensures that development in local urban bodies aligns with the broader principles of inclusive urban growth. The aim is to make sure that the benefits of development reach all urban residents, regardless of their social or economic background. Achieving sustainable urban development requires the participation of all stakeholders and attention to the diverse needs of communities within each local body.

The partnership between the Urban Development Department and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi, brings together academic expertise in urban planning with the department’s practical experience in managing urban challenges in Uttar Pradesh.

The financial support from Tata Trust highlights the program’s potential to transform the urban landscape of the state. By improving service delivery and planning processes, this initiative aims to create smaller towns that are more livable, accessible, and sustainable.

During the signing of the MoU, key officials were present, including Secretary of the Urban Development Department Ajay Kumar Shukla, Director of Urban Local Bodies Anuj Kumar Jha, Shikha Srivastava from Tata Trust, and Poonam Prakash from SPA Delhi.