Conference attendees looked at how India and other countries should build their infrastructure for the next generation. Experts from around the world discussed and shared insights and innovative ideas about how to develop smart and sustainable infrastructure systems.

On December 9-11th, The Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), in collaboration with the Technical University of Delft (Netherlands) and the Next Generation Infrastructures Foundation (NGIF), held the second annual International Conference on Infrastructure Systems and Services: Developing 21st Century Infrastructure Networks, at the SSN College of Engineering near Chennai.

Some highlights of the conference:

Dy Ch. Planning Commission, Shri Montek Ahluwalia set the tone for the importance of Infrastructure for India’s future during a live video conference with the conference attendees.

The promising role of simulations and serious games in infrastructure development was explored with experts in this area including Dr. Ivo Wenzler, who conducted sessions on managing growth in cities and on organizational communication, and Dr. Igor Mayer with a session on planning and simulation for shipping ports development and management.

Mr. Bert Klerk, the CEO of ProRail led a session on issues in the building and optimization of railway networks (for commuter as well as for goods).

This conference highlighted the most pressing challenges in infrastructural development in India and participants discovered strategies for dealing with these challenges, incorporating insights from India as well as from other countries’ experiences.

CSTEP plans to use the results of the conference to raise awareness and influence civil society and policymakers with informed debate about Indian infrastructural development.