The Urban Management Centre at the Institute was set up in 2001 with support from Housing and Urban  Development Corporation (HUDCO). The centre undertakes training, capacity building and research activities in urban  management, urban development and related areas. Handholding to Urban Local Bodies  The Centre is providing support to 20 urban local bodies in West Bengal for preparation of Draft Development Plan for  2007-12 under Kolkata Urban Services for the Poor (KUSP). The work has been completed in respect of 15 urban  bodies so far. AITP course  The Centre has initiated a three-year course of Associate of the Institute of Town Planners (AITP) which is equivalent  to Masters in Town Planning. The course is in semi-distance learning mode and is recognized by Institute of Town  Planners India and sponsored by Government of West Bengal. The first batch of urban planners from local bodies in  West Bengal will be completing the course in June 2010. Projects A Pilot Study of Non-Municipal Urban Areas has been taken up for Panchayat and Rural Development Department,  Government of West Bengal.  The Centre has taken up a project for documenting best practices in respect of three municipalities in the state.  A proposal for preparing a Model Land Use and Development Control Plan for Peri-urban Areas has been submitted  to Government of India for approval.    Urban Management Centre Training © Administrative Training Institute - Government of West Bengal Training programmes, workshops  and seminars are conducted for  administrative and technical  personnel working in the urban  sector, elected representatives of  urban bodies and community  groups. Some of the major training initiatives include: Training modules have been developed on City/ Urban  Management. Case studies  on best practices have been prepared.