What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context of the Article)
• Urbanisation in India (Statistics, Challenges, etc.)
• Conclusion

Background:

• With October 31 recognized globally as World Cities Day, this year's theme is "Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalysing Local Action for Urban Sustainability".
• It aims to bring attention to the pressing issues affecting urban centres worldwide, particularly in India.
• With over 40% of India’s population residing in urban areas across approximately 9,000 towns, Indian cities face unique challenges exacerbated by rapid urbanization, socio-economic inequalities, and climate threats.

Unique Urbanisation Pathway in India:

• Unlike Western nations, where urbanization followed industrialization and economic growth, India's urban expansion is primarily "poverty-driven."
• Economic distress pushes rural populations to urban areas, often without adequate infrastructure or employment opportunities.
• Migration patterns highlight infrastructure gaps.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, reverse migration underscored the lack of essential services for urban residents and strained rural areas unprepared for the returning population.

Primary Challenges of Indian Urbanisation:

• Outdated Spatial Planning:
  • India's urban planning often lags behind current needs, with many plans focusing on capital growth rather than human-centric development.
  • Outmoded spatial plans fail to account for rising populations and housing demands.
• Deindustrialization and Employment:
  • Post-1980s deindustrialization in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai led to significant job losses, pushing displaced workers into peri-urban slums where nearly 40% of India's urban population now resides.
  • Employment remains mostly informal, with 90% of jobs lacking job security and adequate working conditions.

Environmental Challenges and Climate Impact:

• Climate Vulnerabilities:
  • Indian cities, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR), experience severe air pollution, urban flooding, and the "urban heat island" effect.
  • Among India’s ten most polluted cities, eight are located in the NCR, leading to substantial health risks and decreased quality of life.
• Urban Flooding and Extreme Heat:
  • The increase in impervious surfaces and poor drainage systems make Indian cities prone to urban flooding.
  • The dense construction exacerbates heat levels, significantly impacting public health and productivity.

Social Inequality & Segregation:

• Growing Inequality:
  • Cities are witnessing widening socio-economic disparities, with luxury housing projects such as DLF's "The Dahlias" in Gurugram offering apartments starting at ₹100 crore, contrasting with millions living without basic shelter.
• Community Segregation:
  • Contrary to the notion that cities dilute social and religious differences, urban areas in India are becoming increasingly segregated along these lines, leading to community isolation and tensions.

Governance & Decentralisation Issues:

• Limited Local Authority:
  • Despite the 74th Constitutional Amendment aiming for decentralized urban governance, most Indian cities lack control over urban planning and essential functions.
  • Only a few cities have implemented more than three of the 18 mandated functions outlined in the 12th Schedule.
• Funding Constraints:
  • Urban areas receive minimal financial support from intergovernmental transfers, with cities allocated only 0.5% of the GDP, limiting their capacity for sustainable development and infrastructure improvements.

Conclusion:

• Indian cities face complex, interwoven challenges requiring coordinated national interventions and empowered local governance to create inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.
• Comprehensive solutions involving updated spatial planning, adequate resource allocation, and localized climate action are crucial to addressing these issues and ensuring a more equitable future for India’s urban population.