Context:

World Cities Day  was  observed on 31st October which aims to raise global awareness of urbanization challenges and promote international cooperation in sustainable urban development.

Key Highlights on Global Urban Population:

• Extent of Urbanisation: The urban population has reached 4.7 billion (57.5% of the total population) and is expected to double by 2050.
• Challenges in Urban Areas: Cities are particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks such as extreme weather and pollution.

• Social and Economic Issues: Despite progress in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), cities struggle with poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, especially in the Global South.
• Challenges in the Global South: Rapid urbanization without adequate infrastructure has led to housing shortages, poor water and sanitation access, and heightened vulnerability to climate impacts.

Major Challenges Faced by Indian Cities

• Inadequate Urban Planning and Infrastructure: Outdated urban plans often fail to meet current population demands, resulting in overcrowded slums where 40% of the urban population lives.
  • The focus on capital growth over community needs leads to a lack of local engagement and poorly addresses real urban challenges.
• Climate Change and Environmental Issues: Indian cities face severe pollution, urban flooding, and the “heat island effect,” exacerbating health risks and affecting quality of life.
  • Among India’s ten most polluted cities, eight are in the NCR region, reflecting serious air quality concerns.
• Housing Shortages and Social Inequality: High-end developments cater to the wealthy, while millions remain without basic housing.
  • Increasing social and religious segregation is visible in cities, challenging the traditionally neutral urban environment.
• Poverty-driven Urbanisation: Unlike the Global North, where urbanisation followed industrialisation, Indian cities experience “poverty-driven urbanisation,” largely due to economic distress and migration.
• Informal Sector Dominance: Approximately 90% of urban jobs are in the informal sector, with poor working conditions, low wages, and no job security for many workers.
• Weak Urban Governance: Despite the 74th Constitutional Amendment, city governments often lack authority over urban planning, with many responsibilities outsourced to parastatals and private entities.
  • Cities receive only 0.5% of GDP in intergovernmental transfers, limiting their ability to improve infrastructure and services effectively.

Indian government Initiatives for urban development:

• Transit-oriented development: The government will create plans for transit-oriented development in 14 large cities.
• Smart City Project: Launched in 2015, the Smart City Project aims to enhance urban infrastructure using technology to improve efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life in 100 selected cities. Key areas include smart mobility, digital governance, water management, and energy efficiency, making cities more livable and eco-friendly.
• AMRUT Mission: The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) launched in 2015 focuses on urban water supply, sewage, and green spaces in 500 cities to improve urban living standards and address infrastructure gaps.
• AMRUT Mission 2.0: AMRUT 2.0, launched in 2021, builds on the first phase by aiming for universal water supply and sewage management in all cities with a population above 100,000, promoting a water-secure and green urban future.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U): Launched in 2015, PMAY-U aims to provide affordable housing for all urban poor by 2022 through financial support, in-situ redevelopment, and public-private partnerships, targeting slum dwellers and economically weaker sections.

News Source: The Hindu

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