New Delhi: In order to pave way for a better governance in urban areas by analysing the digital data, an urban observatory will be launched in Kerala.

The key element of the observatory will be the unit for mapping and analysis of the data related to digital activities taking place at a particular area.

At present, no criteria or conditions have been laid for collection of data and its utilisation. Once the observatory starts functioning, there will be protocols for collection of data.

This will help authorities get an overall idea of activities taking place in an urban area round-the-clock. It will also improve the quality of administrative services.

Being a state undergoing urbanisation at a fast pace, the observatory has been envisaged by considering the whole Kerala as a single urban unit, National Institute of Urban Affairs Director Jagan Shah told Mathrubhumi.

Apart from Kerala, observatories are also being established in Chennai, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata and Chandigarh. It may be noted that such observatories are functioning in cities such as London, Chicago, New York, Vancouver and Seoul.

At the observatory, the fast changing trends in urban life will be subjected to constant study and implement governance to suit the changing needs, said Dr Ajith Kaliyath, principal investigator of Indo-UK collaboration.

Such an observatory can make the urban planning more scientific, state planning board member Dr. Raviraman.

The analysis of digital data will help to get an idea of the current status of basic facilities required for the development of an urban area, he added.

In this regard, a two-day seminar jointly organised by National Institute of Urban affairs and an Indo-UK collaboration for sustainable urbanisation will be held in Kochi on Tuesday and Wednesday. Besides experts from the sector, the representatives of State Planning Board, Kochi Chamber of Commerce, Kochi Metro and Cochin University are also participating.