#India is witnessing one of the largest urban growth spurts in history. This gives an unprecedented opportunity to look at urban planning and development through a long-term strategic lens to enable economic, environment and social impact.
Introduction
Urban population in India is about>30% and it's contribution to the GDP is >60% . Urbanization in India has gone through many phases from Indus valley to Mughal, British and Post Independence phase.
Due to adoption of various reforms like LPG and policies like Smart Cities Mission, Urbanization is witnessing a Rapid Growth.
It is expected to rise 80 cr.of population i.e 60% of total population and is expected to contribute >75% of GDP by 2030.
Opportunities of Urbanisation
Economic
Employment-Increase in employment opportunities especially in Service Sector, technology driven like digital start-ups and Manufacturing Sector- like automobiles can boost the economy and growth.
Better Access to Financial Institutions and Educational Institutions
Establishment of Skill Development Centres (Skill India)
Women empowerment- promoting employment for women in urban areas
Social - Developing Social and Health Infrastructure can also promote growth and healthy lifestyle like stress reduction, psychological relief , physical activities.
Better access for DIVYANG (Sugamya Bharat Scheme)
Environment
Proper Sanitation and waste management (National Urban Sanitisation Policy)
Promotion of Urban Forestry
Promotion of e Vehicles to achieve SDGs
Swach Bharat Mission
Key Challenges of Urbanization
Environment
Improper Drainage which leads to water logging and floods which has repercussions on Vector Borne Diseases.
Eg Urban Floods - Chennai Floods
Poor Air Quality because of pollution by carbon and toxic pollutants causing Respiratory related diseases
Eg . National Capital Territory Region of Delhi.
Improper waste disposal
Water crisis
Economic
Urban poverty because of lack of employment.
Eg .Slums
Social
Drug addiction
Violence
Family structure and kinship is affecting due to all the members in the family are working
Low quality life style
Housing issue - Overcrowded areas shift from rural to urban areas.
Reasons for Urban Planning issues
Rapid loss of green spaces due to diversification prompted areas
Improper land use
Unchanged Town planning acts for 50yrs
Rapid increase in urban heat Island because of improper constructions , deforestation which causes dip in agriculture production and rivers dry up
Long term measures
Government measures on Urban Planning and development
Green Infrastructure
Smart Cities Mission is a level playing fields with Bottom top approach which is complete opposite of JnNURM which is a top bottom approach
AMRUT programme 2015 including green spaces
Urban sector policies in Union Budget includes
Urban and Peri Urban Agriculture (UPA) for sustainable Urbanisation
Urban Land Use Planning (ULP)
Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation an approach to prevent damaging agricultural land
Food and Agricultural Organization for improving food securities measures
Promotion of Programmes like MNREGA in rural areas and providing employment in rural areas , employment for women can Sustainably reduce the shift from rural to urban areas.
India can thus plan it's well planned Urbanisation through Involvement of Multistake holders and prioritising the key issues as a Bottom top approach keeping in mind the changing requirements of development times.