Smart Cities leverage knowledge solutions for better urban services to create people-friendly and sustainable urban centers. In 2016, ADB committed to supporting India's "100 Smart Cities Mission" through investments in improved services for the poor, including water supply and sanitation.

ADB organized this exposure visit to share knowledge and best practices of smart cities, focusing on water and solid waste management. More specifically, the activity aimed to provide learning opportunities to officials of the Government of India on the experiences of the Republic of Korea and the Philippines in smart cities development, particularly in water supply and solid waste management, covering technical, institutional, regulatory, financial, economic, and other issues. The exposure visit provided the opportunity to showcase the latest “smart” technologies for urban development and water sectors consisting of: (i) guided tours of the actual facilities of water and solid waste utilities in the Republic of Korea and the Philippines that have established themselves as best practice organizations in the region; and (ii) a workshop or seminar for knowledge sharing between the delegates, host organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The visit also promoted partnerships and collaboration between and among the government agencies, utilities, the private sector, and ADB.