The Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Expo is an annual event held from December 3-5, and organised under the aegis of the Institute of Urban Transport (India) in partnership with the Ministry of Urban Development - Government of India. It is a unique forum for networking and exchange between policy makers, decision makers, researchers, planners, engineers, manufacturers and suppliers of various urban transport technologies. UMI is a platform for focusing attention on critical challenges and key opportunities in the urban transport sector in India, and to disseminate best practices from around the country and the world.

“Before we think of public transport, we need to spare a thought for pedestrians and cyclists. Even now in Delhi 50% of the people make to places by foot. They cover small distances by foot. Are we making the roads safe for them? Are we enabling them to go on by foot? That’s the question we need to put to ourselves”. Mr. Jaipal Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Development, Government of India

Strategic Focus

In 2005, the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India launched two significant and transformative initiatives to move India’s development trajectory onto a more sustainable path:  

• The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), which has seen catalytic investment of over US$ 10bn in urban sectors such as transport, water and waste water management, solid waste management, housing and slum infrastructure across 63 “Mission Cities”, and
• The National Urban Transport Policy (2006) which provides strategic guidance for an increasing number of regional and local initiatives to improve urban mobility across India’s states and cities.

Implementation of initiatives within the framework of the National Urban Transport Policy (2006) has now intensified, leading to the emergence of “Sustainable Urban Transport” as the continuing theme for Urban Mobility India 2010.

More specifically, a sharpened focus on “Accessible and Inclusive Cities” aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue around issues such as ‘Accessibility’ and ‘Walkability’ as planning paradigms for the creation of liveable cities in India.

Research Symposium on Urban Mobility

A brand new feature of UMI 2010 is a Research Symposium on Urban Transport that will be convened on December 4.

 Set within the context of India’s central position and increased national awareness around concerns of growing urbanisation, environmental sustainability, social equity and economic efficiency, there is a perceptible shift in the approach to urban planning in the country.

This Symposium will provide a platform to showcase cutting-edge research being undertaken in the Urban Transport sector with an emphasis on the aforementioned topics.