While inviting AIT to join the network, UN-HABITAT describes AIT as an “international renowned institution,” that will bring real added value to the award. “ Business Award for Better Cities” seeks to promote business practices, models and technologies that provide smart and viable solutions to the challenges of urbanization. Universities are expected to play a key role in this initiative by providing their expertise to the process. The award will be launched in September 2011 and the process will take one year. It will be delivered in Italy at the sixth session of the World Urban Forum in September 2012.
The UN-HABITAT letter inviting AIT to join the network was received by Prof. Sudip Kumar Rakshit, Vice President for Research. Commenting on the invitation, Prof. Rakshit remarked that AIT is happy to a partner in the prestigious project. “It strengthens our commitment towards sustainability, and AIT will provide its expertise on issues of urban and rural quality of life, particularly in the Asian context.”
While UN-HABITAT is the convenor, the global supporting partners include WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), and Cities Alliance. AIT and four other universities are “expert and research partners.”