Pune: PMC Highlights Child-Friendly Urban Planning at Kerala Urban Conclave 2025
Pune, 19th September 2025: A plenary session on Infant-Toddler Caregiver-Friendly Neighbourhoods was held during the Kerala Urban Conclave 2025 in Kochi, where the state also unveiled its first comprehensive Urban Policy, setting a roadmap for urban growth over the next 25 years.
The session focused on the role of cities in fostering environments where caregivers and children can thrive. Panelists underlined that parental well-being is central to child development and healthier cities, and urged that urban projects be designed based on the lived experiences of young children and their families.
Representing Pune, Dr. Kalpana Baliwant of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) stressed the crucial contribution of frontline workers such as ASHAs, ANMs, and Anganwadi workers in building supportive communities. She said these workers are now being encouraged to view children not only as beneficiaries but as individuals whose holistic development depends on nurturing care. This shift, she noted, is reshaping service delivery and family experiences in urban neighborhoods.
Dr. Baliwant also shared Pune’s initiatives, including the transformation of health centres into child-friendly spaces with play areas and vibrant designs. These efforts have led to increased family visits, higher uptake of Vitamin A supplementation, and improved attendance at regular check-ups.
She emphasized that empowering frontline workers through initiatives such as Urban95 and Nurturing Neighbourhoods has strengthened trust between families and the health system. Additionally, creating joyful, accessible community facilities and hosting family-centered events in Pune have helped bridge gaps between government services and urban communities.
The session concluded with a call for more cities to adopt caregiver-friendly planning models that recognize the integral role of families in shaping resilient urban futures.
