Model Answer

Introduction

As India transitions from a rural to an urban society, Tier 2 and 3 cities present significant opportunities for driving economic growth. According to the United Nations-Habitat’s World Cities Report 2022, India’s urban population is expected to rise from 483 million in 2020 to 675 million by 2035, accounting for over 40% of the total population.

Economic Opportunities in Tier 2 and 3 Cities

1. Resource Advantage: Tier 1 cities are becoming saturated, leading to high costs and limited opportunities. In contrast, Tier 2 and 3 cities offer affordable real estate, lower labor costs, and competitive service charges.
2. Pandemic Shift: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the migration of people from metropolitan areas to these smaller cities, seeking cleaner and less crowded environments.
3. Affordable Living: These cities provide access to affordable housing and competitive educational opportunities, making them attractive for families and businesses alike.
4. Untapped Talent: With a vast pool of untapped talent, Tier 2 and 3 cities can supply a skilled workforce. Notably, nearly 50% of recognized startups in India originate from these cities (source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry).
5. Infrastructure Development: Enhanced connectivity through infrastructure projects, such as the multi-modal logistics network, is improving access to cities like Ludhiana and Indore, strengthening supply chains across the country.

Challenges Facing Economic Development

Despite their potential, several challenges hinder the economic growth of Tier 2 and 3 cities:

1. Lack of Integrated Planning: There is often no common economic vision across institutions, leading to master plans that focus solely on land use without addressing specific economic needs.
2. Land Acquisition Issues: Delays in land acquisition and complex procedures for converting land use remain significant barriers.
3. Fragmented Governance: Policy and regulatory constraints arise from a lack of clear ownership of economic initiatives between local bodies and state agencies.
4. Funding Shortages: Many of these cities face financial constraints due to limited tax and revenue bases, hampering infrastructure development.
5. Connectivity Gaps: Insufficient connections to ports and airports restrict economic activities and growth.

Conclusion

To unlock the economic potential of Tier 2 and 3 cities, state governments must develop effective policy frameworks and urban governance structures. By learning from successful metropolitan areas and global cities, these smaller urban centers can be positioned as vital drivers of India’s economic growth.

Model Answer

Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled, rapid, and often unplanned expansion of cities into surrounding rural areas. In India, it is emerging as a significant challenge, with estimates predicting 68 urban sprawls of over a million people by 2030. The socio-economic and environmental impacts of this phenomenon are profound and far-reaching.

Socio-Economic Impact

1. Displacement and Marginalization: As urban areas expand, poorer sections of society are often displaced to peripheral slums. This exacerbates socio-economic inequalities, as seen in the expansion of Delhi that led to the creation of the Bhalswa slumublic Health**: Urban sprawl often results in poor sanitation and crowded living conditions, leading to higher risks of communicable diseases. Additionally, the fragmented nature of sprawling cities can cause social isolation, negatively impacting mental health .
2. Transportation Costs: The expansion of cities leads to increased traffic congestion, higher air pollution, and longer commuting times. For instance, Bengaluru incurs a loss of ₹19,725 crores annually due to traffic congestion, including time loss and fuel consumption .
3. Loss of Al Land: Unchecked urbanization encroaches on fertile agricultural land, threatening food security and limiting livelihoods for rural communities. For example, Chennai’s agricultural land reduced from 42.2% in 1988 to 19.2% in 2017 .

Environmental Impaepletion of Green Spaces:

Urban sprawl reduces the availability of green spaces, which are crucial for absorbing carbon dioxide and maintaining biodiversity. Approximately 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from urban environments .

1. Waste Overload: The growts leads to an increase in waste, overwhelming existing management systems. In Delhi’s NCR, inadequate waste handling has resulted in massive dump sites, such as at Ghazipur .
2. Urban Heat Island Effect: Sprawlinwith vast expanses of concrete and asphalt, contribute to higher temperatures, exacerbating air quality issues, heat stress, and energy consumption .
3. Water Stress: Urban sprawl places significae on water resources due to inefficient infrastructure and poor management practices. Indian cities, like Mumbai and Bengaluru, face high water risks, as reported by the World Wide Fund for Nature .
4. Enhanced Vulnerability to Disasters: Encroachment inmentally sensitive zones disrupts natural drainage systems, increasing the risk of flash floods in cities like Chennai and Hyderabad .

In conclusion, urban sprawl in India poses significant challenges tosocio-economic fabric and environmental health of cities. To address these issues, a comprehensive approach involving sustainable urban planning, better infrastructure, and social welfare initiatives is essential.