Strengthening Urban Management India: 2008           Strengthening Urban Management (SUM), through capacity building, is the key area, which will help cities meet the challenges of urban development. So, to create a favorable environment for urban institutions to function effectively and for city managers to acquire the required knowledge, skills and expertise to govern their cities efficiently. For the same, ASCI and WBI launched a SUM Programme to support capacity building in cities.           Core Objectives of SUM     To provide a broader, more holistic perspective on the range of issues confronting Indian cities and to explore new approaches to addressing these issues; To promote an active exchange of experiences and enhance awareness of national and international best practices for improving the creditworthiness of cities and the delivery of urban services, particularly to the poor; To assist city managers in developing management, governance, leadership and organisational tools and strategies that will enable them to discharge their roles more effectively.           Programme Structure and Content           Module – 1 Good Urban Governance and Decentralization. This module discusses the principles of decentralization and addresses the need to promote professionalisation of urban management, greater accountability in public services delivery and greater transparency in urban governance. It introduces the concept of city strategic visioning as an essential governance process, and explores creative ways to involve all city stakeholders in this strategic planning process.           Module – 2 Creating Creditworthy Cities and Urban Systems. This component presents national and international experiences in creating creditworthy cities through effective resource mobilization and sound fiscal management at the local level. It discusses specific issues in municipal finance, and the key principles for ensuring fiscal and financial discipline in Indian urban local bodies.           Module – 3 Innovative Approaches to Delivery of Urban Environmental Services. This module analyses different approaches to water supply and sanitation, sewerage and solid waste management. It aims to enhance understanding of the role of competition and regulation in providing incentives for effective public-private community partnerships and of the key elements of effective regulatory regimes. It also examines pricing and cost recovery issues, as well as the key factors to make public-private partnerships "pro-poor".           Module - 4 Urban Poverty and Poverty Reduction Strategies. This module reviews indicators of urban poverty, demonstrates how poverty assessment is undertaken, and how such an assessment can help cities develop and prioritize anti-poverty strategies and action. It discusses new approaches to reach the urban poor and to scale up poverty-related interventions.           Module – 5 Change Management. This module examines the core features of and approaches to change management. It also presents and analyses change management best practices adopted by Indian cities and other cities of the world.           Resource Persons     National and international urban experts, practicing managers would share concepts and experiences during the programme.           Programme Participation     The programme is primarily aimed at city mangers and senior administrative and political officials, particularly municipal commissioners and mayors of urban local bodies in India.           Dates, Venue and Facilities     The SUM programme in India will be offered from January 2008. The course will fully residential and will be held at ASCI, Bella Vista, Hyderabad.           Certificate of Participation     ASCI and WBI will jointly issue a Certificate of Participation upon conclusion of the Programme.           ASCI Alumni Association     Participants in the College programs will automatically become members of the ASCI Alumni Association.           Registration and Course Fee     The programme fee is Rs. 20,000 per participant sponsored by ULBs and Rs. 27,500 in case of Private sectors / NGOs / donor-supported participants from ULBs / NGOs. This fee covers tuition, course materials, and board and lodging. Single occupancy air-conditioned accommodation will be provided to all participants. Even though the College enjoys exemption from income tax, other taxes should not be deducted from the programme fee. Interested participants can register here.