SSG-Bridge Symposium Launches UK-India Research Teams to Build Future-Ready Cities

Ludhiana, September 20, 2025: The three-day SSG-Bridge UK-India Symposium concluded yesterday, launching three collaborative research teams to develop a roadmap for Smart, Sustainable, and Green (SSG) cities. The event, held from September 17-19, marked the official start of the year-long SSG-Bridge project, a UK-India initiative jointly funded by the British Council’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). The diverse project team is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Vahid Javidroozi from Birmingham City University (BCU) and Partner Project Leader Dr. Neeta Raj Sharma from Lovely Professional University (LPU), in partnership with Munjal BCU Centre of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MBCIE).
The core team includes Co-Investigators and ECRs Dr. Abdul Qayoom Hamal (BCU) and Dr. Suruchi Jindal(LPU). Expertise is provided by Project Experts Professor Cham Athwal (BCU) and Dr. Prem Kumar (MBCIE), with community partnership led by Col. CM Lakhanpal of the Public Action Committee (PAC), India
The project's core mission is a comparative feasibility study of Ludhiana and Birmingham to develop globally relevant urban solutions. This key study will be conducted by Project Associate Samta Suresh Tayade under the guidance of the project leads. "By comparing Ludhiana and Birmingham, we can uncover fundamental principles for urban resilience that work in radically different contexts," said the UK project lead.
Keynote sessions offered diverse perspectives on urban challenges and solutions. 
Birmingham's Karolina Medwecka-Piasecka shared insights on governance and city practices. Urban planning and smart city projects were detailed by experts like Ar. Sanjay Goel and Ar. Siddhartha Wig. Project leaders, academics, and community partners, including Dr. Adarsh Pal Vig (Former Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)), who addressed urban environmental issues, Prof. Kathryn Moore (Director of West Midlands National Park Lab), who discussed the role of urban landscape on green infrastructure. 

The symposium also featured a hands-on LEGO SERIOUS PLAY workshop to collaboratively build a shared vision for an SSG city, guided by Dr. Vahid Javidroozi.
The symposium's primary legacy is the launch of three interdisciplinary teams of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) from the UK and India for a year-long mentored research program. Furthering this commitment, Dr. Aman Mittal, Vice President of LPU, announced plans for a dedicated Indo-UK SSG Research Centre at the university. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to shaping global solutions through strong international partnerships," he stated.