Lot to learn from Brazil, Shanghai: CM Devendra Fadnavis

With the population of the city increasing day by day, coupled with the problem of providing housing for masses, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “There is lot for us to learn from the Brazil and Shangai models that have been successful in tackling the dire need for housing for the masses.” Mr Fadnavis was speaking at the closing ceremony of the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2016. “We have a lot to learn from our partner countries like Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa. Mumbai is facing the problem of urbanisation and growing population. We have seen how Shanghai has been able to tackle the problem of mass housing and I believe we can learn from that model and implement in Mumbai to solve its problem of providing affordable housing,” he added.

The CM also stressed on cleaning up of the Mithi River in Mumbai and making it navigable for which, the state government plans to take expert help from Russia.

Delegates and governors from countries like Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa termed the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2016 as greater cooperation between cities and people of emerging countries. They stressed on the need for inclusive development where the underprivileged had a lot to contribute towards development through involvement. Speaking on safety and security, chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya said, “Like South Africa, we are also facing the challenge of safety and security. We can therefore adopt the model being implemented by the country to combat threats to security.”

The event saw major participation from China with 30 Chinese delegates attending the conclave, including urban planners, governors and city mayors. The conclave saw participation of 20 delegates from Russia, six from South Africa and five from Brazil who discussed best practices and partnership in offering solutions for urban planning and designing.