Symposium launches 3 teams for sustainable green cities roadmap

The three-day SSG-Bridge UK-India Symposium concluded yesterday, launching three collaborative research teams to develop a roadmap for smart, sustainable and green (SSG) cities. The event, held from September 17-19, marked the official start of the year-long SSG-Bridge project, a UK-India initiative jointly funded by the British Council’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). The diverse project team is led by principal investigator Dr Vahid Javidroozi from Birmingham City University (BCU) and partner project leader Dr Neeta Raj Sharma from Lovely Professional University (LPU), in partnership with Munjal BCU Centre of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MBCIE).

The core team includes co-investigators and ECRs, Dr Abdul Qayoom Hamal (BCU) and Dr Suruchi Jindal (LPU). The expertise is provided by project experts Prof Cham Athwal (BCU) and Dr Prem Kumar (MBCIE), with community partnership led by Col CM Lakhanpal of the Public Action Committee (PAC), India

The project’s core mission is a comparative feasibility study of Ludhiana and Birmingham to develop globally relevant urban solutions. This key study will be conducted by Project Associate Samta Suresh Tayade under the guidance of the project leads. “By comparing Ludhiana and Birmingham, we can uncover fundamental principles for urban resilience that work in radically different contexts,” said the UK project lead.

Keynote sessions offered diverse perspectives on urban challenges and solutions. Birmingham’s Karolina Medwecka-Piasecka shared insights on governance and city practices.

The symposium’s primary legacy is the launch of three interdisciplinary teams of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from the UK and India for a year-long mentored research programme.