Citizens Engagement in Dharamshala
Citizen participation and engagement is central to the smart city proposal development process in Dharamshala. The present Municipal Council has a population of approximately 23,000 persons and it is the endeavor of MC Dharamshala to integrate each of these ‘voices’. Extensive engagement and consultations were conducted with the different stakeholder groups in the city and the public at large through multiple channels and platforms for the purpose. These included:
- Smart City discussion forum on MC Dharamshala website
- Social media – Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
- Call for ideas through Logo design, branding and essay competitions
- Information kiosks at cultural and social events in the city
- Regular public meetings and Community level focused group discussions,
- Stakeholder workshops and meetings with various public agencies, city councilors, NGOs, local experts, the academia, hotelier and trade associations, taxi unions among others.
The engagement process also witnessed extensive enthusiasm and participation on the part of the citizens. The people of Dharamshala came up with written suggestions and detailed proposals for realizing the Smart City Vision. Numerous suggestions were received everyday throughout the proposal preparation process on the Smart City discussion forum of MC Dharamshala. In addition to the official Facebook page, the citizens voluntarily came up with a ‘Dharamshala Smart City’ page and community on the social networking site Facebook , which saw extensive activity and discussion by the members on how the city can realize its smart city vision. Competitions were floated for Logo designing and branding of the city. Students and youth contributed to the vision formulation through the essay competition on ‘Mere sapno ka shahar – Dharamshala’. All these activities resulted in more than two hundred ideas and proposals for the city and the Smart City Vision and Proposal for Dharamshala will endeavor to realize these.
Figure: Process of citizen engagement for Dharamshala Smart City Proposal
More than 3,000 members (14% population of the present municipal council) as on 28th October, 2015.
Figure: Snapshots of Citizens Engagement in Dharamshala
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We are glad that our city is selected under Smart City Mission. Hope the mission will transform the city into a better place with better infrastructure and facilities keeping the identity of the city intact as well as preserving the nature.
We are looking forward to implementation of this project. It is a citizen friendly process and necessary considering our cities are crumbling.
To make Dharamshala a smart city, it is required a lot of basic developmental activities such as transportation, more educational institutions and hospitals. Need to Focus on implementing new technologies and employment opportunities.
Dharamshala being the seat of His Holiness Dalai Lama deserves to be a SMART CITY. Be it Nature, Culture or any other thing Dharamshala is ready to be Smart. The proposal for Kotwali Bazar, Mcleodganj Bhagsung and Kacheri Adda under Area Based Development are commendable. The consideration of environment in proposal is also nice with creating recreating spaces and developing the tourism. We need that the proposal that are prepared should be implemented also.
DHARAMSHALA SMART CITY.
Dharamshala being selected as SMART CITY in 100 cities is good. Now its our responsibility to bring it in top 20 cities. The proposal discussed with us promise a lot for the development. The citizens engagement is the good platform to discuss the key issues and solutions to it. Being a student, i look forward for good opportunities that will come when Dharamshala becomes smart city.
Its nice to be part of Dharamshala Smart City.
As citizen of Dharamshala its pleasure to participate in the SMART CITY Proposal Process. The citizen engagement is makes the proposal more realistic and practical. Considering the development proposal the economical social and environmental aspect of sustainability is taken care off. The people are enthusiastic and hopeful for Dharamshala to be in top 20 selected cities in first phase.
SMART CITY DHARAMSHALA
SMART CITY Dharamshala is a dream come true for us. Now the city will be developed with good pace. The propsal prepared are addressing the key issues with keeping in mind the Sustainable Development features. All the 3 spheres of sustainability is kept in mind while preparing the proposal.
Good Initiative by the Municipal Corporation Dharamshala in involving citizens in process of preparing proposals.Dharamshala being developed as SMART CITY is good initiative proposals have been prepared with consultation of citizen and focuses on the Citizen need and aspiration.
Dharamshala being developed as SMART CITY is good initiative proposals have been prepared with consultation of citizen and focuses on the Citizen need and aspiration. Good Initiative by the Municipal Corporation Dharamshala in involving citizens in process of preparing proposals.