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Context:

• Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced 10 winning cities at the Nurturing Neighborhoods Challenge.
• At the event, the ministry also published the second season of Cycles 4 Change and Streets for People Challenges in India, and the book Nurturing Neighborhoods Challenge: Stories from the Field.

About

• The winning cities are Bangalore, Havalidawad, Indole, Jabalpur, Kakinada, Coach, Kohima, Lulucera, Baddara and Warangal.
• The finalists were selected after extensive evaluation by judges consisting of representatives of MoHUA, BvLF and independent experts in the fields of urban design, early childhood development and behavioral change. About Nourishing Neighborhood Challenge.
• It was launched in the first week of November 2020.
• This is a three-year initiative sponsored by the smart city mission MoHUA in collaboration with the Bernard Vanrea Foundation and the World Resources Institute (WRI) India.
• This challenge will allow Indian cities to incorporate early childhood perspectives and design neighborhood-level improvements that promote the health and well-being of infants and their caregivers.

Importance

• It aims to meet the needs of government buildings, bus stops and toddler facilities in transportation hubs.
• The challenge reminded us of the importance of neighborhood-level intervention.
• This is in line with the smart city mission strategy of promoting inclusive, people-centric development in compact areas to expand city-wide solutions that improve the quality of life for citizens.
• This allows Indian cities to incorporate early childhood perspectives and design neighborhood-level improvements that promote the health and well-being of infants and their caregivers.

Success

• As part of the pilot phase of the Nurturing Neighborhoods Challenge, i. e. A pioneer cohort of 25 cities took place in Phase 1.
• It has carried out more than 70 pilot projects in neighboring areas throughout India.
• These diverse projects include creating public spaces in slums, age-appropriate playgrounds, improving outdoor waiting areas around the primary health center and Anganwadis, and facilities for caregivers such as public toilets and care facilities.
• Unused and residual land for improving roads and intersections, creating parks and gardens.
• These projects have benefited more than 1,000 children.

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