- Paradox of Urban Development: India showcases green buildings but struggles with unsustainable urban living, characterized by lengthy commutes and pollution.
Key Issues in Urban Areas
Urban Inequality and Segregation
- Growth of affluent enclaves alongside slums.
- Over 25% of urban population lives in poverty; approximately 81 million people.
Climate Vulnerability
- Cities becoming “urban heat islands” with rising temperatures and extreme weather.
- Heat stress has increased by nearly 30% over the past 40 years.
- Projected job losses for 34 million people due to heat stress.
Inadequate Urban Governance
- Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) face political and financial disempowerment.
- Only 22.2% of functions (4 out of 18) fully developed.
- Intergovernmental transfers for city governments at just 0.5% of GDP.
Unsustainable Mobility
- Car-centric urban design; commuters spend 1.5–2 hours daily in traffic.
- Weak public transport and pedestrian infrastructure.
Informal Employment and Housing
- Over 90% of urban jobs are informal, leading to insecurity.
- Slum population estimated at 236 million as of 2020.
Environmental Degradation
- Decline in green cover and pollution of water bodies.
- 13 Indian cities listed among the world’s top 20 most polluted.
Weak Mayoral Leadership
- Mayors often have ceremonial roles with limited executive power.
Urban Governance Framework
- Constitutional Basis: 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) provides constitutional status to ULBs.
- Types of ULBs: Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats.
- Functional Domains: Urban planning, public health, slum improvement, etc.
International Best Practices
- 15-Minute City (Paris): Access to essential services within a 15-minute walk.
- Transit-Oriented Development (Tokyo): High-density development around transit hubs.
- Green Infrastructure (China): Use of wetlands and green roofs for flood management.
- Affordable Housing (Vienna): Inclusionary zoning mandates affordable units in developments.
- Citizen Participation (Brazil): Involvement in budget allocation.
- Digital Governance (Estonia): Integrated e-governance platforms.
Measures for Sustainable Urban Development
- Tiered Governance Models: Empower local planning authorities for integrated management.
- Human-Centric Mobility: Prioritize public transport and non-motorized transport.
- Decongest Urban Areas: Strengthen rural infrastructure to reduce urban migration.
- Climate-Responsive Architecture: Revise building codes to enforce sustainable designs.
- Smart City Integration: Link affordable housing with smart city initiatives.
- Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure: Restore water bodies and green spaces.
- Climate Action Plans: Develop city-level plans aligned with national net-zero goals.
- Community Participation: Institutionalize participatory planning mechanisms.
- Data-Driven Platforms: Invest in digital public infrastructure for efficient governance.
Way Forward
- India’s urban transformation requires a shift from elite-centric planning to inclusive, climate-resilient approaches, linking urban development with sustainable goals for improved livability and resource access.