THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 23, 2026
In a significant step towards strengthening sustainable urban
development and climate-resilient city planning, the Odisha Urban Academy (OUA)
on Tuesday hosted a high-level strategic dialogue with renowned urban
governance expert Dr. O.P. Agarwal, Member of the Committee on Administrative
and Governance Reforms. The interaction focused on advancing sustainable
urbanisation, enhancing climate resilience, and preparing Odisha’s cities to
meet the demands of rapid growth and emerging urban challenges.
The session was chaired by Usha Padhee, Additional Chief
Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department. Director of
Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, senior officials of the department,
urban planners, and development professionals also participated in the
deliberations.
The discussions centred on strengthening urban governance
frameworks, improving service delivery systems, and enhancing the institutional
capacity of Odisha’s expanding urban centres. Addressing the gathering, Dr.
Agarwal underscored the critical role of robust institutions, skilled human
resources, and evidence-based policymaking in building resilient, inclusive,
and sustainable cities. He lauded Odisha’s achievements in urban infrastructure
and public service delivery, while encouraging the adoption of innovative,
globally informed solutions tailored to local contexts and needs.
Reaffirming the State Government’s vision for citizen-centric
urban development, Usha Padhee highlighted Odisha’s commitment to creating
climate-resilient and future-ready urban ecosystems. She stressed the
importance of continuous capacity building and professional development,
pointing to the Odisha Urban Academy’s upgraded training and residential
infrastructure as well as its demonstration units on sewage treatment, septage
management, and resource recovery as valuable platforms for experiential
learning and knowledge exchange.
The interaction also explored contemporary approaches to
capacity building, including hybrid learning models, experiential training
methodologies, and benchmarking urban services against national and
international best practices to improve governance outcomes.
The event reflects the Odisha Urban Academy’s growing role in
fostering municipal leadership and promoting knowledge-driven urban
transformation. With recent institutional advancements and strategic
collaborations, the Academy is steadily establishing itself as a premier centre
for urban governance, innovation, and sustainable city management, contributing
significantly to Odisha’s vision of building smarter, greener, and more
resilient cities.
