Bloomberg Philanthropies to help govt pick ‘Smart Cities’

SmartCityBloomberg Philanthropies will reportedly assist the ministry of urban development in conducting the ‘Cities Challenge’ competition to select cities under the government’s ambitious 100 Smart Cities plan.

The selected cities will be provided financing under the government’s ambitious plan.

Each selected city under the scheme would get central assistance of Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) per year for five years.

The philanthropy initiative, founded by former mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg, will act as knowledge partner for the Smart Cities plan. It will help the ministry in the design and implementation of the process for selection of cities; designing & delivery of a capacity development programme for applicant urban local bodies; and formulating & execution of effective communication and branding strategy for cities.