CITIIS 2.0 [UPSC Notes]

The government has approved the second phase of the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) project, a sub-component of the Smart Cities Mission.  CITIIS 2.0 aims to promote sustainable urban development and climate resilience in 18 selected cities. This topic would be of importance in the IAS Exam from the perspective of Prelims and Mains.

CITIIS (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain):

• CITIIS, which stands for City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain, is a program launched under the Smart Cities Mission in India. 
• It aims to promote sustainable urban development, integrated waste management, and climate-oriented reforms. 

Primary objectives:

• Innovation: Encouraging innovative approaches and technologies for urban development and sustainability.
• Integration: Facilitating the integration of various sectors, such as waste management, energy, transportation, and infrastructure, for holistic urban planning.
• Sustainability: Promoting sustainable practices, including circular economy principles, climate resilience, and reduction of environmental impact.

Key Components and Focus Areas

CITIIS encompasses several key components to drive sustainable urban development:

• Circular Economy and Integrated Waste Management: CITIIS promotes the adoption of circular economy principles, aiming to reduce waste generation and enhance waste management practices. The program encourages projects that focus on waste segregation, recycling, composting, and the utilization of waste as a resource.
• Climate-Oriented Reforms: CITIIS emphasizes climate-oriented reforms at both the city and state levels. This includes initiatives to mitigate climate change impacts, promote climate resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Projects may include renewable energy installations, energy-efficient infrastructure, and climate adaptation strategies.
• Institutional Strengthening and Knowledge Dissemination: To ensure the sustainability of initiatives, CITIIS aims to strengthen institutions involved in urban governance and management. Capacity building programs, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration with national and international partners are integral components of this initiative.

Funding and Partnerships

CITIIS is implemented through collaboration between various entities:

• Funding: Financial support for CITIIS comes from multiple sources. In CITIIS 2.0, a loan of Rs 1760 crore from the French Development Agency (AFD) and Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), split equally, will be provided. Additionally, a technical assistance grant of Rs 106 crore is offered by the European Union.
• Partnerships: CITIIS leverages partnerships with organizations such as AFD, KfW, the European Union, and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). These partnerships facilitate technical expertise, knowledge sharing, and international best practices in sustainable urban development.

Implementation Phases:

CITIIS is being implemented in multiple phases to achieve its goals effectively.

•  Phase 1: Phase 1 of CITIIS was launched in July 2018 and included projects in 12 selected cities, including Agartala, Amaravati, Amritsar, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Dehradun, Hubbali-Dharwad, Kochi, Puducherry, Surat, Ujjain, and Visakhapatnam. This phase aimed to demonstrate innovative solutions and sustainable practices in these cities.
• Phase 2 (CITIIS 2.0): The second phase of CITIIS, known as CITIIS 2.0, has been approved and will be implemented in 18 cities. 
  • These cities will be selected through a competitive process, ensuring the most impactful projects receive support. 
  • The selected cities will be required to prioritize projects that promote circular economy, integrated waste management, climate-oriented reforms, and institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination.
  • CITIIS 2.0 will span from 2023 to 2027.

CITIIS 2.0 has three key components:

• Building climate resilience: CITIIS 2.0 will provide financial and technical support to develop projects that focus on climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation.
• State support: CITIIS 2.0 will offer assistance to all states and Union Territories based on their specific needs and demands.
• Climate governance: CITIIS 2.0 will make interventions at the central, state, and city levels to strengthen climate governance in urban India through institutional strengthening, knowledge dissemination, and capacity building.

Conclusion:

• CITIIS 2.0 is a significant component of the Smart Cities Mission. 
• The project aims to promote sustainable urban development and climate resilience in India. 
• With a focus on integrated waste management, climate-oriented reforms, and knowledge dissemination, CITIIS 2.0 seeks to create a greener and more sustainable future for the selected cities.

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