Centre on Wednesday said that objectives of New Urban Agenda include integrated urban policies in line with cooperative federalism, eliminating barriers to the flow of capital, land and labour and development of rural and urban areas in a synergetic manner.

Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that good governance is key to the sustainable development. “To the 3 principles of sustainable development i.e equity, economy and environment, Governance needs to be added as the fourth dimension, given its importance,” the minister said while inaugurating the ‘Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development’.

Seeking to evolve an Implementation Plan for the next 20 years for realizing the goal of equitable urban development through building of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities, 68 countries of Asia Pacific Region began their three day deliberations in New Delhi.

Voicing concern over weak governance structures in most of the member countries of the region, Naidu said that over the last two years, the Government has taken several initiatives to improve technical, planning and managerial capabilities of city governments in India. This is being done through promoting e-governance, capacity building, enhancement of resource base of cities etc., under different new urban missions.