The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), formally established in 1974, is a unique developing country research institution. Deeply committed to every aspect of sustainable development, TERI works on sustainability issues across a range of subjects like urban development, urban transport, energy, environment, climate change and poverty alleviation. TERI’s emphasis has always been on bringing together multidisciplinary teams who use their knowledge and skills to carry out world class research to derive local and client-specific solutions. Over the years TERI has grown to establish a presence not only in different corners and regions of India but is perhaps the only developing country institution to have established a presence in North America and Europe and on the Asian continent in Japan, Malaysia and the Gulf. TERI has also recently initiated activities in Africa. Besides this, TERI has its regional centres at Bangalore, Guwahati, Mumbai, Mukteshwar and Goa in India.

TERI’s research activities are largely supported by research grants from ministries and departments of the Government of India, the industrial sector and international organizations such as USAID, Swiss Development Co-operation, the European Community, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and various UN agencies.

TERI has significant experience in issues related to sustainable urban development and transport systems. In the urban mobility sector, TERI facilitates the development of sustainable policies for the management of appropriate infrastructure systems in partnership with relevant stakeholders and external agencies. The overarching objective of TERI is to ensure the least lifetime resource footprints of urban mobility projects while ensuring equitable access. The range of activities undertaken include research, assistance to state and city governments, training and capacity building, exchange of experiences concerning best practices and options, and information dissemination.  The ‘Centre for Research on Sustainable Urban Development and Transport Systems’ (CRSUD&TS), a part of the Sustainable Habitat Division at TERI carries out the urban development and transport related activities at the institute.

Centre for Research on Sustainable Urban Development and Transport Systems (CRSUD&TS), TERI

The Centre for Research on Sustainable Urban Development and Transport Systems (CRSUD&TS) was established in TERI in 1999 in response to the growing urban demands, particularly in the urban infrastructure sectors. A part of the Sustainable Habitat Division of TERI, the Centre’s activities range from carrying out energy-environment related analysis, giving inputs to policy and planning, improving urban service provision and governance, carrying out sustainability assessments, exploring climate change implications and carrying out capacity building for various stakeholders, all in the context of transport and urban development sectors.

The Centre has evolved with the dynamics of urban development and in its efforts to initiate transformations and transitions to a sustainable future, the Centre works with various stakeholders- the central, state and city governments, corporates, NGOs and civil society and draws upon experts from other areas in TERI in order to respond to the sustainable development challenges. These efforts are driven by a multidisciplinary team of research professionals trained in urban planning, transportation courses, economics, law, architecture and environmental planning. TERI has been recognized as a ‘Centre of Excellence in Urban development’ by the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, and colleagues from CRSUD&TS have been an active part of this activity.

As an applied research group in the transport sector, the Centre has been active in assisting governments within and outside India in developing policies and strategies for developing transport systems that achieve social, environmental, and economic goals. As the issues in the urban transport are multifaceted and require several interventions in an integrated manner, the Centre seeks to develop potential solutions in collaboration with internal and external groups. The Centre has carried out several assignments with central and state governments in India, utilities, including public transport operators, private sector, bilateral, and multilateral organizations.

In recognition of its activities focussed on promoting sustainable urban mobility, TERI has been recognized as the Asia hub for the ‘Global Energy Network for the Urban Settlements’ (GENUS), a network established by UN-HABITAT. The focus area for Asia under GENUS is ‘Urban mobility for poor’.

The specific activities undertaken by the Centre in the area of urban transport are listed below:

• Diagnosing urban mobility situation and city mobility plans from the perspective of  sustainable mobility parameters
• Promoting sustainable transport solutions, particularly planning, operating and monitoring effective public transport services
• Exploring the transport and climate change nexus and mobilizing action plans at the local and regional levels for mitigation action
• Estimating and analysing energy demand and emissions loading from transport and urban energy use
• Examining urban policies and regulations in the context of climate change impacts
• Making a difference at the policy level

Darbari Seth Block, IHC Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003, INDIA

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