KCLAS School of Economics, in association with the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, successfully hosted Economics Conclave’24 on 16th December 2024 at Swami Vivekananda Hall from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The event, themed “Future-Ready Transit: Sustainable and Smart Solutions for Tamil Nadu”, brought together experts and thought leaders to address critical challenges and solutions for urban mobility.
The conclave commenced with a thought-provoking keynote by Mr. Alagappan Ramanathan, Development Goal Specialist at UNDP. His address highlighted the pivotal role of sustainability goals in shaping smart urban mobility solutions, focusing on aligning Tamil Nadu’s transit strategies with global standards for sustainable development. followed by Mr. Raj Cherubal’s, Advisor (Special), Urban Government & City Development, CPPR, Kochi, compelling spotlight session on “Driving Change: User-Centric Approach to Mobility Challenges”. He emphasized the importance of citizen-focused planning to overcome mobility issues and shared success stories on how prioritizing user experiences can foster more efficient urban transportation systems.
The Panel Discussion 1 themed ‘Integrating Public Transport Solutions for Tamil Nadu’
Moderated by Ms. Lizbeth Jibi Godwin, Senior Analyst at EY, featured panelists: Mr. Dhanuraj, Founder-Chairman, CPPR, Kochi, Mr. B. Chandresekaran, Research Fellow (Urban Ecosystem & Skill Development), CPPR, Kochi, Mr. Alagappan Ramanathan, Development Goals Specialist, UNDP
The discussion explored practical frameworks for integrating various modes of public transport, addressing institutional barriers, and leveraging technology to enhance connectivity and accessibility across Tamil Nadu.
The second Panel Discussion themed Sustainable Urban Mobility for Tamil Nadu
Also moderated by Ms. Lizbeth Jibi Godwin, featured: Dr. Krishnaraj P., Dean of Academic Affairs, ISEC, Bengaluru, Er. G. Manuneethi, Divisional Engineer, Highways (Road Safety), Coimbatore, Dr. P. Ponnurangam, Chief Engineer, Gupta Group of Industries, Chennai.
Panelists shed light on innovative practices for sustainable urban mobility, such as eco-friendly infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and data-driven solutions to reduce congestion and pollution.
Parallel to the discussions, an Urban Mobility Hackathon was conducted at A Muse Thought Lab. Participants presented creative, sustainable solutions to tackle real-world urban mobility challenges, showcasing the potential of young innovators in shaping future-ready transit systems.
Overall the conclave offered deep insights into urban mobility issues, emphasizing the need to address institutional barriers, adopt smart transit technologies, and create inclusive, sustainable frameworks for Tamil Nadu.