"Peer Experience and Reflective Learning" (PEARL)

To achieve objectives of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM), knowledge
sharing amongst JNNURM cities in various sectors of urban reforms and city governance has emerged as a
potential area for capacity building. It is felt that cities identified under JNNURM, for financing urban
infrastructure and other aspects of urban development, can network amongst themselves for cross learning
and sharing knowledge, hence effectively manage their cities. “Peer Experience and Reflective Learning” (PEARL) is an initiative under JNNURM to support cities to actively pursue activities in implementation of projects and reforms.
Therefore, cities with similar urban issues and character are brought together. The cities have been divided
into five groups, namely,\

 (a) Mega Cities;
(b) Industrial Cities;
(c) Mixed economy;
 (d) Heritage Cities; and
(e) Cities of Environmental Importance.

 A Network Convener and potential Knowledge Managers (KMs)  were also identified for each Group.
The main objective of PEARL is to create manageable networks between JNNURM cities for cross learning
and sharing knowledge on urban reforms and city governance so that objectives of the mission can be
successfully achieved to make cities more livable, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable. The
primary objective is to ensure smooth functioning of the PEARL Networks and assist the Mission Directorate
in supporting and monitoring the program. Focus of PEARL activities will be on various processes and
outcomes of JNNURM-projects and reforms. There is also a need to focus on the sharing of experiences on
urban reforms and city governance and to sustain PEARL beyond JNNURM.
The proposed PEARL website – India Urban Portal (www.indiaurbanportal.in), is the gateway to the 63 cities
under JnNURM and shall be linked to the main website of JnNURM. The portal is envisaged as a ready
reference to best practices in planning, projects, reforms, accessible data/ resources and other innovations.
The goal is to create an information network, community and resource that will provide qualified, trusted and
variable information. It will also provide the stakeholders, a knowledge-sharing platform for interaction and
discussion.
The website will:
a) Act as a platform to share knowledge among governments at national, state, and local levels as well as
community groups and citizens in JNNURM cities;
b) Focus on linking Urban Local Bodies with community groups in the JNNURM cities;
c) Provide information on organizations, techniques, technologies, resources, innovations, best practices,
etc. for the projects and reforms;
d) Support outputs of JNNURM in terms of planning and implementation of projects and reforms; and
e) Help to set up discussion forums, news, guidance, etc. among JNNURM cities.

The programme was launched on January 31, 2007 in Hyderabad.  A network convener and potential knowledge managers (KMs) were identified.    

Group	Knowledge Manager	Network Convener
Group A – Mega cities	Mega Cities Association (MCA), Kolkatta	Mega City Forum
Group B – Industrial Mega cities	AIILSG, Mumbai	Nagpur
Group C – Mixed Economy cities	City Managers Association of MP (CMAMP), Bhopal	Bhopal
Group D – Cultural/religious cities	CEPT, Ahmedabad	Agra
Group E – Hill cities	UAA, Nainital	-

The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has been nominated by the MoUD to function as National Network Coordinator, to coordinate the overall PEARL activities among the JNNURM cities.  NIUA has, in the past and at present, is involved in similar area of work in the FIRE-D project.