USTDA Launches Second Phase of Smart City Project in Visakhapatnam, India
August 31, 2016
(USTDA)
NEW DELHI, India – This week, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency launched the
second phase of its support of the City of Visakhapatnam’s (Vizag) efforts to
build safe, efficient and integrated urban infrastructure.
Since the project launched, a team of U.S. companies – led by AECOM, including
KPMG and IBM – have been working closely with leaders from the State of Andhra
Pradesh and the City of Vizag. Together, they have begun to identify the
planning and investments required to sustainably grow and modernize the city,
working toward the goal of making Vizag a clean commerce capital. In addition to
refining this vision, the first phase evaluated the city’s infrastructure and
identified sector-specific opportunities; assessed institutional and regulatory
frameworks; and developed action plans for three near-term projects.
“This project has been impressive in achieving a balance between comprehensive
urban planning – which will lay the foundation for long-term growth – and
identifying opportunities to improve the lives of Vizag’s citizens in the near
term,” said USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak. “We are certain that with the
expertise of this exceptional team of U.S. companies, and the ongoing commitment
of our Indian partners, USTDA can continue to support Vizag in its ambitious
smart city objectives – an effort in which we are proud to partner.”
“AECOM is proud to lead this important next phase of the Vizag work, in
collaboration with KPMG and IBM, and made possible by the leadership of Chief
Minister Naidu and his colleagues in Vizag,” said Michael S. Burke, AECOM’s
Chairman and CEO. “We thank USTDA for seeding the development of a smart
infrastructure roadmap that can enhance the livability of this urban center for
years to come.’’
The next phase of the project will deliver an Integrated Smart City Master Plan
that will not only recommend planning frameworks for the entire city, but also
develop specific recommendations to grow four key urban centers. It will include
integrated analyses and recommendations across eight priority smart city
components. This includes critical infrastructure such as transportation, water
supply, sanitation and energy, as well as citizen-focused areas like social
infrastructure and resilience planning.
This continues USTDA’s efforts to identify U.S. solutions that can support
India’s goals of developing smart cities. It was announced during the 2016
U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, an opportunity for the U.S. and
India to deepen economic and commercial ties.
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