Whether in the visible strands of urban life, like deteriorating infrastructure and housing, or the invisible heartache of poverty and deprivation, it is the urban administrator who faces the most difficult task today. It is the local urban body that is tested and tried as it struggles against a million odds to deliver some semblance of a decent life to its citizens. Therefore, strengthening the delivery capacity of urban administrators and elected representatives is crucial to ensure good governance locally, regionally and nationally.

The Academy's State Institute of Urban Development (SIUD) has launched two courses namely 'Diploma in Urban Management' (DUM) and Post-Graduate Diploma in Urban Management (PGDUM) to equip the elected, administrative and non-government sectors to deliver good urban governance. These courses offer the participants exposure and experience of best practices in urban governance. The highlights of the two courses are:

Highlights of the DUM / PGDUM

• The only course of its kind in India.
• Addresses urban issues related to infrastructure, services, shelter etc.
• Targeted primarily at urban administrators, elected representatives, NGOs etc.
• Practical orientation.
• National and international perspective through case studies.
• An international exposure trip.
• Extensive Reading Material.
• Affiliated to University of Mumbai and recognized by World Bank Institute, Washington.
• Special Resolution issued by Maharashtra Government to promote enrolment of its ULB's officials.

Contents of the Course

The course has eight modules:

• Base Module 1: Urban Governance
• Base Module 2: Municipal Management
• Urban Planning
• Urban Finance
• Urban Infrastructure
• Urban Environment
• Urban Poverty
• Information and Communication Technology for Urban Sector.

Successful Launch of the Course

The Participants of first batch of this course included officers from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh who were also taken for visit to Singapore in October 2007 and provided with exposure to good practices in various aspects of urban governance through in-house sessions, site visits and experience sharing by the senior officers of Singapore Government.