Metropolis, the world association of major metropolises, plans to present Hyderabad as an example of social equity to cities around the world during the 11th World Metropolis Congress slated to take place in the city in April 2014. Around 140 cities are expected to take part in the WMC.
Held in South East Asia for the first time since its inception under the UN framework in 1985, the WMC is expected to offer the city innovative city management practices that have been successful elsewhere to make it a “smart city”, apart from improving its economy.
It has already launched preparatory work for the WMC by initiating a dialogue with the State government, the GHMC and local event partner Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau.
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Asked what made Metropolis choose Hyderabad as the WMC host, Sunil Dubey, Country Director (India) for Metropolis, said: “The social equilibrium evident in the city is unique and it’s a great example for the rest of the world to learn about social equity.” Its heritage, culture and rapid growth as one of the information technology hubs were among other reasons, he noted.
“The way communities live together, the resilience shown by them after every aberration is unique. That is looked at as an example the world over,” Mr. Dubey, who was on a visit to the city as part of the WMC preparatory work, said in a chat with The Hindu .
Several cities in the western world lack the social equity that prevents cities from being tangible despite good infrastructure, he noted.
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Metropolis International Relations Manager Agnes Bickart said Hyderabad has huge partnership potential with similar cities such as Barcelona, which witnesses a visitor inflow of over 2 million annually.
Hyderabad has got all the ingredients for being a successful city but it has to apply them appropriately, she felt, adding that the WMC would help it in that endeavour. WMC is being held for the firm time in South East Asia since Metropolis was set up in 1985 under the United Nations framework.