Accelerating Innovation in Urban Service Delivery in Indian Cities: Lessons from TheCityFix Labs India

Abstract

Amidst a rapidly expanding population, Indian cities are unable to keep pace with the growing demand for efficient and adequate urban services especially in the sectors of water, waste and energy. This practice note looks at the WRI India approach of developing a powerful value accelerator platform to scale innovative solutions for gaps in service delivery in collaboration with the quadruple helix stakeholders of government, private sector, academia and citizens. This note summarizes the impact, experiences, and lessons learned from the TheCityFix Labs India held between September 2018 and September 2019, which was supported by the Citi Foundation. This note also assesses the existing innovation ecosystem and the potential for on-the-ground demonstrations and pilot projects to mobilise investment and spark policy reform for the successful delivery of sustainable urban services. This note also sheds light on some of the enabling conditions needed to deliver sustainable infrastructure, and issues that must be addressed to enable innovative small players and new entrants to participate.