Understanding CITIIS (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain):

• CITIIS is an initiative launched under the umbrella of the Smart Cities Mission in India. The main goal of this program is to encourage sustainable urban development, integrated waste management, and climate-oriented reforms.
• The primary objectives of CITIIS include Innovation, encouraging innovative methodologies and technologies for urban development; Integration, facilitating the integration of various sectors for holistic urban planning; and Sustainability, promoting sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.

Key Elements and Focus Areas of CITIIS

CITIIS is composed of several key components, all aimed at driving sustainable urban development:

• The initiative promotes the adoption of circular economy principles to reduce waste generation and enhance waste management practices. It encourages projects that focus on waste segregation, recycling, composting, and the utilization of waste as a resource.
• CITIIS emphasizes climate-oriented reforms at both the city and state levels, including initiatives to mitigate climate change impacts, promote climate resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• To ensure the sustainability of the initiatives, CITIIS aims to strengthen institutions involved in urban governance and management. The program includes capacity building programs, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration with national and international partners.

Funding and Partnerships

CITIIS is implemented through collaboration between various entities:

• The financial support for CITIIS comes from multiple sources. In CITIIS 2.0, a loan of Rs 1760 crore from the French Development Agency (AFD) and Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), split equally, will be provided. Additionally, a technical assistance grant of Rs 106 crore is offered by the European Union.
• CITIIS leverages partnerships with organizations such as AFD, KfW, the European Union, and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). These partnerships facilitate technical expertise, knowledge sharing, and international best practices in sustainable urban development.

Implementation Phases:

CITIIS is being implemented in multiple phases to achieve its goals effectively.

• Phase 1 of CITIIS was launched in July 2018 and included projects in 12 selected cities. This phase aimed to demonstrate innovative solutions and sustainable practices in these cities.
• The second phase, known as CITIIS 2.0, has been approved and will be implemented in 18 cities. These cities will be selected through a competitive process, ensuring the most impactful projects receive support. The selected cities will be required to prioritize projects that promote circular economy, integrated waste management, climate-oriented reforms, and institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination.

Key Components of CITIIS 2.0

• CITIIS 2.0 will provide financial and technical support to develop projects that focus on climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation.
• CITIIS 2.0 will offer assistance to all states and Union Territories based on their specific needs and demands.
• CITIIS 2.0 will make interventions at the central, state, and city levels to strengthen climate governance in urban India through institutional strengthening, knowledge dissemination, and capacity building.

Conclusion:

• CITIIS 2.0 is a significant component of the Smart Cities Mission.
• The project aims to promote sustainable urban development and climate resilience in India.
• With a focus on integrated waste management, climate-oriented reforms, and knowledge dissemination, CITIIS 2.0 seeks to create a greener and more sustainable future for the selected cities.