Healthy Cities: Confronting Urban failures and building resilience
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COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for cities in India, exposing deep-seated flaws in urban planning and design. It brought forth issues such as exhausted local trains, growing shortage of good quality affordable housing, inadequate sanitation and infrastructure, highlighting the deficiencies in our growth and development.
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There has been rapid urbanization, with over 35% of India’s population living in urban areas, projected to rise to 50% by 2030. The strain on basic public utilities is evident, especially in megacities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi.
Implications of Urban Issues
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Delhii’s has been challenging major issues relatedfacing to encroachment and air quality,
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Due to rapid urban expansion in Delhi has led to encroachment of natural floodplains and inadequate drainage systems, making it increasingly susceptible to flooding. There has been loss of habitat and green spaces which makes the city vulnerable to environmental hazards.
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Further in November 2024, Delhi's air quality deteriorated to hazardous levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching "severe plus" status. This alarming situation prompted authorities to implement emergency measures. The factors that contribute to this is increasing number of vehicles, factories and industrial units and crop residue burning and ongoing construction projects.
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Mumbai facing has been challenging major issues challenges related to inadequate housing and insufficient public transport.
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Mumbai’s constant challenge of inadequate housing has been a constant reminder of the strain the city faces to house the growing population. As of August 2024, Mumbai topped the list of Indian cities with stalled housing projects. Regardless of the multiple policies created to tackle this issue, there has not been much improvement due to the growth being uncontrolled.
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Further to the above, there is an evident strain on the Public transport and a 15% decline in the public transit and increasing the population is regressing the situation even more. A figure suggests that nearly 35, 00,000 Mumbaikars continue to rely on BEST buses for their daily commute.
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Chennai has been challenges ing major issues related to poor waste management,
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In December 2024, sanitary workers in Chennai protested against the privatization of waste management services.
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The primary contributors to this is inadequate infrastructure, leading to dumping in public spaces and poor waste management. This has led to leaching of heavy metals into the marshland, affecting its biodiversity and contaminating ground water.
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Bengaluru has been challenging major issues related to insufficient water and its contamination.
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Bengaluru has faced growing water scarcity in recent years, compounded by unplanned urban sprawl and poor management of its water resources.
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In 2024, Bengaluru's water supply saw frequent disruptions due to contamination in the Kaveri riverRiver and widespread leakage in old water pipelines, exacerbating the city's water woes. The city’s lakes, which were once the primary source of water, are now heavily polluted or dried up. Due to over-extraction, many areas in Bengaluru face severe groundwater depletion.
Planning/Research Questions
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What comprehensive urban planning measures are being implemented to address the rapid growth and environmental challenges faced by major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai?
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How is the government ensuring that infrastructure improvements, such as drainage systems, housing projects, and public transportation, are prioritized to meet the demands of growing urban populations?
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What steps are being taken to address the environmental hazards caused by air pollution, waste management, and the loss of green spaces, and how will these efforts be sustained over time?
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How is the government involving local communities, workers, and environmental experts in finding solutions to the challenges of flooding, air quality, housing, and waste management in these cities?
Strategic Framework proposed by UCM
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Local communities, environmental experts, and sanitation workers should be actively involved in urban development planning.
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Municipalities should prioritize the restoration and preservation of public spaces, developing policies that limit construction in sensitive environmental areas, such as floodplains and wetlands, will prevent further loss of green spaces.
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Adopting and implementing an outcome based approach, a performance oriented budgeting method that measuring the results of government interventions, rather than just allocating resources.
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The implementation of congestion pricing in major metropolitan areas could reduce traffic congestion, while providing funds for the expansion of sustainable transport networks. Innovations like electric buses and improved railway systems can also reduce pollution and increase mobility.