Smart City Roadshow India - Travelgrant

Purpose and goal:

The Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai, Vinnova, Smart City Sweden, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and The Office of Science and Innovation, Embassy of Sweden in India and Business Sweden has planned and carried out a road show to exchange knowledge and technologies with actors in the West India and Delhi in the area of Smart cities. The focus has been on water and waste management, mobility and transportation as well as energy issues.

This specific project did cover the majority of travel costs for Prof. Emeritus Carl Gustaf Janssons´s participation in this road show. Expected results and effects:

The delegation was successfully carried out as planned with visits to three priority sub-regions in Western India: Pune, Mumbai and Goa. In all regions, discussions took place with larger companies, SMEs, state/regional authorities and universities. In all regions, several different aspects of Smart Cities were addressed: questions related to water, waste, energy and mobility.

The collaborative climate was perceived as very constructive and a large number of proposals for follow-up activities were generated, between companies as well as public organizations and universities. Approach and implementation:

In general, the agenda for the delegation had been planned in an exemplary manner, so that the priority aspects of Smart Cities were addressed in a balanced manner. There was also a good balance when it came to participation from the Indian side between larger companies, SMEs, public organizations and academic institutions. Delegation programs in India tend to be intensive and a common problem is that logistical issues in the big cities make the program time critical.

Here, too, this delegation succeeded unusually well because they planned a longer coordinated meeting in each location.