We organised a webinar on “Democratic Responsiveness in Urban Governance: COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond” to discuss the challenges facing urban governance.

Panel:

1. Amita Bhide, Professor and Dean - School of Habitat Studies, TISS Mumbai

2. Ashraf Azmi, Municipal Councillor and Deputy Party Leader, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai

3. Balwant Kirar, Manager- Capacity Building, Praja Foundation

4. Poornima Narayan, Municipal Councillor, Kochi Municipal Corporation

5. Shahnawaz Shaikh, Municipal Councillor, Amdavad Municipal Corporation

6. Tanya Jakimow, Associate Professor, Australian National University

7. Tikender Singh Pawar, Ex-Deputy Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation

The discussion focussed about the challenges of urban governance and reflects on the need to more involvement of elected representatives. The discussion revolved around the foolowing themes:

1. Governing Framework for Responding to Emergencies

2. Institutional Response in the COVID 19 Crisis

3. Understanding of the Local

4. Questions for Urban Governance