URBANISATION THEIR PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES

Published on 12 Feb 2025

Urbanization is the process of rising population concentration in urban areas. This process includes the migration of people from rural to urban areas for better economic opportunities and better living standards. Urbanization also includes changing from agriculture to other economic activities such as trade, manufacturing, industry and management.

✔     According to the World Bank, the percentage of urban population in India is 35.9% in 2022.

✔     As per Niti Aayog reports, the urban population in the country will reach 50% in 2047.

What Causes Urbanization?

✔     Industrialization: Growth of industrial and manufacturing activities in the urban area leads to the concentration of jobs in urban areas thus increasing the urban population.

●      Example: Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru are major industrial hubs.

✔     Infrastructure development helps in easier movement of people and goods and also connects urban areas.

●      Example: Road, railway, and telecommunication network

✔     Rural to urban migration: People move from rural to urban areas in search of jobs and better living standards. Poverty-induced migration is also a reason for urbanization

●      Example: As per the UN report, close to 20 million migrants move from rural to urban areas every year.

✔     Higher status of women in urban areas: Urban spaces give more opportunities for women in education, health services, employment opportunities and decision-making.

●      Example: The gender wage gap is lower in urban areas than in rural areas

✔     Education and healthcare facilities remain as the pull factors for migration from rural to urban areas

●      Example: As per the 2011 census, the literacy rate in urban areas is 84.1% and that of rural areas is 68.9%

✔     Globalization: With globalization businesses and economic activities get concentrated in urban centres, attracting a diverse workforce.

●      Example: After LPG reforms in 1991, there was a huge increase in the urban population

✔     Technological development: The development of technology and machinery can lead to increased efficiency in urban industries creating more job opportunities.

●      Example: Growth of Information Technology (IT)

✔     Expansion of government services is mostly concentrated in main cities, which give more income and job security. This acts as a pull factor for rural-urban migration.

●      Example: AMRUT scheme specific for urban region

Opportunities Associated With Urbanization

✔     Increase in GDP of the country: Urban areas are economic hubs, offering diverse job opportunities in industries, services, and commerce.

●      Example: Even though urban spaces share 3% of Indian land, they contribute to approximately 60% of GDP as per UN reports.

✔     Reduction of poverty in the country: Growth of cities helped overall poverty reduction in India.

●      Example: According to a report by the UN in India, urban growth has been beneficial for overall poverty reduction in India, with urban growth accounting for about 80% of the total fall in poverty.

✔   Social mobility: The concentration of resources and opportunities in urban areas often facilitates upward social mobility as compared to rural areas.

●      Example: People can improve their socio-economic position through better job opportunities

✔     Increased status and opportunities for women: Urban spaces give more opportunities for women in education, health services, employment opportunities and decision-making.

✔     Decreased ties of caste: People from different regions migrate to urban areas leading to cultural amalgamation.

●      Example: Individuals from "lower castes" are inclined to move to urban areas in pursuit of employment opportunities beyond traditional occupations.

✔     Increase in education, and health facilities: Urban areas will provide a wide range of educational institutes and healthcare services.

●      Example: Higher education institutes and Tertiary care hospitals are mostly present in urban areas.

✔     Improved living standards: Urban areas have access to improved infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and sanitation services.

✔     Infrastructural development enhances the quality of life for residents and supports economic activities.

●      Example: Transportation systems, communication networks, and utilities.

✔     Technological advancements create opportunities for further research and create more jobs.

●      Example: The development of Information Technology further created several job opportunities and research options

Issues Associated With Urbanization

✔     Social

●      Creation of urban slums and poor sanitation facilities: Population growth, lack of affordable housing and social infrastructure create unequal division of urban space.

●      Example: As per the census 2011, 5.41% of the urban population lives in slums and they are found in 65% of towns in India.

●      Gender Inequality: Urbanization exacerbates issues such as gender-based violence and disparities in economic opportunities for women.

●      Example: Delhi rape, 2012

●      Road accidents: Due to lack of proper planning, management of transportation services and increased influx of vehicles, road accidents are increasing.

●      Example: As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Annual report, 2022 there is an increase of 11.9% in road accidents

●      Transportation and traffic problems: High population density leads to congestion in transportation services and infrastructural strain.

o   Example: Mumbai traffic congestions.

●      Lifestyle diseases: Lifestyle diseases are increasing in urban areas due to increased consumption of junk foods and lack of exercise.

●      Example: Hypertension, diabetes

●      Increase in crime and violence: Urban areas experience higher crime rates due to unemployment, poverty, drug addiction and social inequality.

●      Example: As per National Crime Records Bureau 2022 report, urban areas have higher crime rates than rural areas. Also, Delhi is the city with largest crime rates.

✔     Environmental

●      Waste management crisis and increased pollution: Lack of proper waste management and increase in concentration of vehicles leads to environment degradation and increase of diseases among humans.

●      Example: Delhi pollution

●      Water crisis: With urbanization, the increased demand for water resources coupled with challenges in sustainable water management worsen the onset of a water crisis in many metropolitan areas.

●      Example: In metro cities like, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai, the gap between demand and supply of water varies from 10 to 20 percent.

●      Urban floods: Inadequate urban planning, like improper land use, zoning and insufficient stormwater management leads to urban floods.

●      Example: Chennai floods (2015), Hyderabad floods (2020), Mumbai floods (2005)

●      Formation of urban heat islands: Urban heat islands refer to localized areas within cities that experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas.

●      Example: Delhi

●      Man-animal conflict: As urban areas expand and encroach upon natural habitats, several factors contribute to heightened tensions and conflicts between humans and animals

●      Example: Several incidents of spotting leopard in Gujarat state capital, Gandhinagar.

✔     Economic

●      Unemployment: Urbanization leads to increased unemployment due to rapid population growth, a mismatch between skills and job demands, and the informal nature of the labour market.

●      Example: As per Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), unemployment in urban areas is more than rural areas.

●      Increased economic disparity: There is an unequal distribution of wealth in urban areas resulting in urban poverty.

●      Example:13.7% urban poverty as per 2011 census

●      Power scarcity: Rapid urbanization demands more electricity which often strains electricity resources, leading to electricity scarcity in metropolitan areas.

●      Example: Increasing demand for electricity in industrial, domestic, commercial and institutional spheres.

●      Feminisation of agriculture: A term refers to the increasing presence and active participation of women in agricultural activities and the agricultural workforce due to migration of men to urban areas

●      Example: As per the reports of FAO, around 70% of farm work is led by women in India.

●      Resource scarcity: Due to limited space, population growth, inefficient resource use leads to resource scarcity in urban areas.

●      Example: strain on essential services such as water, energy, and housing.

Urbanisation and Feminisation of Agriculture

Feminisation of agriculture is referred to as an increasing participation of women in agricultural activities.

Causes of feminisation of agriculture

✔     Rural-urban migration: When men in rural households move to urban areas for better economic opportunities women are left to manage the family farms.

●      Example: According to Census 2011, there has been a 24% increase in the number of female agricultural labourers between 2001 and 2011.

✔     Poverty: Due to poverty, women are forced to work as agricultural labourers to supplement the family’s income. Women also work as unremunerated workers in family fields.

✔     Changes in agricultural practices: Modernization and changes in agricultural practices made certain farming tasks less physically demanding and it allowed more women to participate in agricultural activities.

●      Example: Automated irrigation systems, use of machinery such as tractors, ploughs, and harvesters

✔     Diversification of agriculture: Diversification of agriculture beyond traditional crops provides opportunities for women to engage in different agricultural enterprises

●      Example: Horticulture, animal husbandry, poultry, and aquaculture

Issues of feminisation of agriculture

✔     Access to credit:  A lack of ownership of land does not allow women farmers to get loans through institutionalised channels.

●      Example: Many formal banking institutions often require collateral for loans.

✔     Unequal land ownership and control: Despite increased participation in agriculture, women have unequal land ownership and control.

●      Example: Many traditional and cultural norms and legal barriers prevent women from inheriting land

✔     Unpaid and unrecognized labour: Women's contributions to agriculture, including unpaid family labour, are often unrecognized and undervalued.

●      Example: In subsistence farming practices, invisible contributions like collecting water, tending to livestock, and managing small kitchen gardens are undervalued

✔     Technology and digital divide: The gender gap in technology and digital literacy can hinder women's access to agricultural innovations and information.

●      Example: Digital literacy and language barriers create digital divide for women in accessing Agricultural Extension Services

✔     Wage disparity:  Women farmers have lower wage rates and often remain unpaid in agricultural activities

●      Example: As per Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare, women farmers are paid 22% less than male workers

Government initiatives

✔     Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP): A sub-component of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission. aims to empower women by enhancing their participation in agriculture 

✔     More focus by government on women's self-help group (SHG) to connect them with capacity building activities, providing information and microfinancing initiatives

✔     At least 30% of the budget allocation has been reserved for women beneficiaries in all ongoing schemes/programmes and development activities.

Urbanization and Its Impacts on Indian Family System

✔     Nuclear family: Due to urbanization based migration there is a shift from joint family to nuclear families

●      Example: As per census 2011, 70.11% of families in India are nuclear families

✔     Changing economic nature of families: Earlier families worked as a unit of production but with urbanization, new economic opportunities emerged thus made families a unit of consumption.

●      Examples: Shifting from agriculture, traditional jobs to diverse employment options

✔     Status of women: With urbanization, women got more opportunities for economic participation and education leading to more status and role in decision-making.

●      Example: With more education, women increasingly joined the formal workforce, participating in industries such as information technology, finance, healthcare, and services.

✔     Mental stress: A fast-paced urban lifestyle and isolation increases mental stress among family members.

●      Example: High cost of living, work pressure, and social isolation often lead to anxiety and depression.

✔     Issues faced by elderly: The breakdown of joint family systems leaves older family members without the traditional support structures.

●      Example: In joint families, financial resources were often pooled, and elderly members enjoyed a certain level of financial security. In nuclear families, older individuals may face financial challenges.

✔     Family planning: Due to increased health awareness and change in economic nature of families due to urbanization, more importance is given to family planning and child care in families.

●      Example: Delayed parenthood, and increased use of contraceptives are seen in urban couples.

✔     Changes in marriage system: Influence of western values due to urbanization make a change in the attitude towards marriage. More freedom is there in mate selection when compared to earlier periods.

●      Example: increased use of online dating and networking in urban youth

 

Reforms Required For Planned Urbanization

✔     Housing and affordable living

●      Affordable housing: Government policies need to address the housing shortage in urban areas.

●      Example: Model Tenancy Act, 2021

●      Slum redevelopment to improve the living standards of urban poor.

●      Example: Dharavi Redevelopment Project, Maharashtra

✔     Sustainable urban planning

●      Integrated planning: Data collection, inclusion of different stakeholders and usage of technologies like Big data in urban planning will improve urban areas.

●      Example: Masdar City project in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates- it integrates clean technology, renewable energy, and innovation.

●      Creating more green spaces like parks, and gardens will help to reduce pollution and improve well-being of people

●      Example: Nagar van scheme

✔     Infrastructure development

●      Transportation: Expanding public transportation, investing in rapid transportation, implementing traffic management systems and leveraging technology to improve transportation facilities.

●      Example: TransMilenio in Colombia- It is a Bus Rapid Transit system

●      Water and sanitation: It is essential for environmental sustainability, public health, and overall urban well-being

●      Example: Singapore Water Story project- to improve water supply, wastewater treatment, drainage, and conservation strategies

✔     Environmental stability

●      Climate resilient infrastructure: Implement infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. Special focus is needed in stormwater management

●      Example: Copenhagen Cloudburst Management Plan- creating infrastructure to manage excess rainwater and prevent flooding in urban areas

●      Waste management: Waste management can be efficiently done through proper segregation, waste-to-energy projects, waste audits and public engagement.

●      Example: Solid waste management in Okhala, Delhi

✔     Social infrastructure

●      Public health delivery system: Improving accessibility, equity, community engagement will help create healthy urban population.

●      Example: Mohalla clinics, of Delhi Government- to improve primary healthcare services at the community level.

●      Improving facilities in rural and suburban areas: Creation of satellite cities, smart villages will reduce rural-urban migration.

●      Increasing employment opportunities in urban areas by introducing schemes like MGNREGA in urban areas

●      Reforms in urban administration: improving financial and administrative autonomy of urban local bodies.

Reforms in urbanization involve a collective effort from various stakeholders, including urban local bodies, communities, non-governmental organizations, state governments and centre governments.

India’s Slum Development Strategies

Slum Development Strategies of India

✔     Slum areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, (1956): This act provides for the improvement and clearance of slum areas in certain Union Territories and the protection of tenants in such areas from eviction

✔     Slum Redevelopment Scheme (SRS): Launched by Maharashtra state government in 1995. It focused on redevelopment of slums through private owners, developers, cooperatives or NGOs.

✔     National Slum Development Programme (NSDP): It was introduced in 1996. It provided loans and subsidies to States for slum rehabilitation projects.

✔     Valmiki Ambedkar Malina Basti Awas Yojana (VAMBAY): It was introduced in 2001. It was focused on shelter for the urban poor with special focus on community  sanitation facilities

✔     Rajiv Awas Yojana: It was introduced in 2013. It focused on building basic civic infrastructure, social amenities and decent shelter.

Importance of Slum Development in India

✔     Poverty Alleviation: Proper slum development can contribute to poverty reduction and improved living standards.

●      Example: By providing better living conditions, access to basic services, and economic opportunities,

✔     Social Equity and Inclusion: Reducing disparities, empowering marginalized communities, and fostering a more just urban space ensures the creation of a foundation for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

●      Example: Giving access to decent housing, clean water, sanitation, education, and healthcare to marginalised communities

✔     Health and Well-being: The prioritization of health and well-being in slum development in India is essential for preventing diseases, improving maternal and child health, enhancing community resilience, and fostering social inclusion

●      Example: Access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and healthcare services for slum residents.

✔     Education Opportunities: Slum development initiatives allow children in slum areas to receive quality education, breaking the cycle of poverty and providing a brighter future.

✔     Economic Empowerment: Offering residents the means to escape poverty, access opportunities, and contribute to the overall socio-economic advancement of the community.

●      Example: Access to stable housing, infrastructure, and job opportunities will lead to increased income and better living standards.

✔     Crime Reduction: Improved living conditions, community empowerment and economic opportunities can lead to reduced crime and violence in slum areas, enhancing the safety and security of residents.

✔     Sustainability: It involves not only providing housing and infrastructure but also creating economic opportunities and social services that support lasting development.

●      Example: Long-term house sustainability

Challenges Faced in Slum Development Strategies

✔     Limited urban land availability: It not only affects spatial expansion but also influences housing, infrastructure, and overall city planning.

●      Example: Unavailability of urban land for affordable housing in Mumbai

✔     Regulatory constraints and corruption: Development projects in urban areas are subject to a long approval process from both State and Central level.

●      Example: It takes 99 days to receive construction permit in Mumbai while it takes 91 days in Delhi (EoDB report)

✔     Land ownership and legal issues: Many slum dwellers live on government or privately-owned land without legal tenure, making it challenging to implement development projects

●      Example: Most of the land in slums in Dharavi is owned by government and government agencies

✔     Inadequate resources: Even when subsidy is provided by the Government under rehabilitation schemes, urban poor lack access to formal financial resources to help them purchase new homes.

✔     Lack of adequate infrastructure: Many slums lack basic infrastructure such as proper sanitation, clean water supply, and electricity which affects the standard of living of the residents.

●      Example: Lack of sanitation facilities in Kolkata’s slums poses severe health risks to the inhabitants

✔     Inadequate focus on livelihoods: When slum development plans do not focus on economic opportunities and livelihoods of slum dwellers, it affects the overall development of people. Thus, slum dwellers sometimes show resistance to reallocation.

✔     Overpopulation: Slums are often densely populated, leading to overcrowding and inadequate living space. This overpopulation can strain already limited resources and infrastructure.

●      Example: Dharavi, Mumbai is highly overpopulated, and thus faces the issue of strained resources, insufficient sanitation, and limited access to essential services

✔     Political and Bureaucratic Hurdles: Slum development often involves navigating complex bureaucratic processes and overcoming political challenges, which can slow down progress and result in corruption.

✔     Lack of Community Participation: If community leader are not engaged in the decision-making process, development efforts may not meet their needs.

Reforms Needed in Slum Development

✔     Region-specific administration: There is a need to adjust slum redevelopment models according to the local needs.

●      Example: Financial incentives and floor Space Index need to be selected as per the region.

✔     Community participation: Promote a participatory approach to planning and implementation where slum dwellers are also included in decision-making.

●      Example: Through formation of residential committees, regular information dissemination and feedback mechanisms

✔     Private Public Partnership(PPP): Engagement of private sector partners in slum development for expertise, resources, and innovation

●      Example: Engagement of private players in Dharavi Redevelopment Project, Maharashtra

✔     Financial inclusion of slum dwellers through microfinancing. This will help them to improve economic stability.

●      Example: UMED (stands for “Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission” (MSRLM) in Marathi) initiative of Maharashtra for microfinancing

✔     Livelihood opportunities: Integrate strategies for economic development and job creation within the redevelopment plan.

●      Example: Skill development centres, financial literacy programs

NGO Initiatives for Slum Development in India

✔     Affordable Housing: Many NGOs often engage in building or renovating homes and ensuring access to basic amenities like clean Water sanitation and hygiene facilities.

●      Example: Habitat for Humanity India

✔     Skill Development and Livelihood Programs: NGOs frequently run vocational training to equip slum residents with the skills needed for better employment opportunities or starting small businesses.

●      Example: United Way India

✔     Women’s Empowerment: Many NGOs focus on empowering women through self-help groups, income-generating activities, and training programs to improve their socio-economic status.

●      Example: Smile foundation

✔     Microlending and Credit Access: Some NGOs offer micro-lending services and facilitate access to credit for individuals and small businesses in slum areas, promoting financial inclusion.

●      Example: CreditAccess Grameen

✔     Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion: NGOs work on projects related to community toilets, waste management, and hygiene awareness to improve the overall sanitation conditions in slum areas.

●      Example: Water.org

✔     Environment and Resilience Building: NGOs work on projects related to environmental sustainability, disaster response, climate resilience and energy-efficient livelihood in low-income communities

Smart Cities

Smart cities includes a range of innovative technologies and data-driven solutions to enhance urban living, improve sustainability, and increase efficiency in various aspects of city management.

Importance of Smart Cities

✔     Urban Transformation: With significant opportunities for domestic and international investment, infrastructure development will transform urban areas

✔     E-governance and Citizen Services: These initiatives ensure convenient access to public services, real-time information, and participatory decision-making, fostering a more connected, informed, and engaged urban community.

●      Example: Through electronic service delivery, video crime monitoring

✔     Smart mobility: Smart mobility is essential for creating efficient, sustainable, and well-connected transportation systems, leading to reduced congestion, environmental benefits, and improved overall quality of life.

●      Example: Smart Parking, Intelligent Traffic management are part of smart cities

✔   Water management: Integration of advanced technologies to ensure efficient use, monitoring of water resources, addressing sustainability challenges and mitigating the impact of climate change on urban water systems.

●      Example: Smart metering and management, water quality monitoring

✔     Smart waste management:  usage of advanced technology for waste management creates more opportunities for waste-to-energy conversions.

●      Example: Agra government bodies plan to install 2 lakh garbage containers tagged with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)in regions around Tajmahal.

Challenges in Implementation of Smart Cities

✔     Lack of Funds: Financial constraints of governments  and increased non-performing assets of banks create scarcity of funds for financially enormous Smart City Projects

●      Example: Smart city plan for 90 cities financially constitutes 1.9 Lakh crores

✔     Lack of centre-state coordination: There is a need for proper coordination between various governments for fruitful implementation of project.

✔     Availability of facilities: Smart city project need different parameters which are lacking in Indian context.

●      Example: Lack of skilled labour, advanced technology in India.

✔     Lack of time-bound plan: Lack of a single responsible authority, increased clearance times for government and resource pooling, the project will take huge time.

Measures to be taken for Implementation of Smart Cities

✔     Decentralisation: Planning the Smart city Mission in local and state government will help in better implementation of project

✔     Public-Private Partnership: Inclusion of more private players for better administrative and technological capabilities

✔     Promoting citizen engagement: Through this smart cities can enhance public satisfaction, transparency, and the effectiveness of urban solutions, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration in the development and evolution of the urban environment.

✔     Integrated approach: It enables seamless coordination and synergy among various components such as transportation, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure for holistic and sustainable urban development.

 

Development of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India

Reserve Bank of India divided regions based on population into different tiers. Based on population, Tier 2 cities (Examples are Amritsar, Bhopal and Chandigarh.) and Tier 3 cities (Examples are Udaipur, Cuttack, and Jhansi) comes immediately after Tier 1 cities based on population.

Significance of Tier 2 And 3 Cities

✔     Reducing pressure in tier 1 cities: Population in the Tier 1 cities can be evenly distributed to Tier 2 and 3 cities.

●      Example: Issues like overpopulation, traffic congestion, and strained resources can be controlled.

✔     Infrastructure development: Investments in infrastructure development will help in improving the quality of life of residents. Thus migration to Tier 1 cities can be controlled.

●      Example: Investment in roads, transportation, healthcare, education, and other amenities in Tier 2 and 3 cities

✔     Low cost living: Tier 2 and 3 cities have more affordable housing and cheaper real estate

✔     Start-up ecosystem is flourishing in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

●      Example: Indore have several startups based on e-learning

✔     Hub for economic growth and job creation: new cities have more potential to create jobs. Thus, it will help to reduce the unemployment rates in the country.

●      Example: Intermediate cities have become the new drivers of growth and job creation. in USA and China

✔     Promoting inclusive growth: Development of Tier 2 and 3 cities helps in more balanced distribution economic benefits. This helps in reducing regional disparities.

Urban Infrastructure through Gender Lens

Design, planning, and management of urban spaces impacts different genders. A gender-sensitive approach to urban infrastructure will help to create inclusive and equitable cities.

✔     Transportation: Accessibility, safety and last-mile connectivity of public transportation should be designed gender friendly.

●      Example: Well-lit transit stops, secure waiting areas for safety of women

✔     Safe public spaces: public spaces, parks, and recreational areas to ensure they are designed inclusively and with adequate lighting.

●      Example:  Under Smart City Project, redevelopment of Cubbon Park in Bangalore, took place with improved lighting, enhanced surveillance, and community

✔     Housing: Affordable, safe and accessible housing for all genders is the need of the hour.

●      Example: Safe housing for transgender and women population

✔     Sanitation facilities: Ensuring equitable access to gender-sensitive sanitation facilities in urban infrastructure is crucial to promoting women's safety, dignity, and participation in public spaces

●      Example: Availability and cleanliness of women's restrooms, menstrual hygiene facilities in public spaces.

✔     Urban governance: Members from women, LGBTQ sections are needed in the decision-making position of urban government for gender neutral governance.

●      Example: Gender Inclusive Cities Programme works with local governments and civil society organizations in several cities including Delhi

✔     Work and economic opportunities: By creating environments promoting equal access to employment, cities can unlock the full potential of their workforce

●      Example: Workspace safety and pay policies should be redesigned so that it ensures gender equality.

✔     Education facilities: Ensure that educational institutions are easily accessible and safe for girls and women.

Urbanization and Governance

With 74^th constitutional amendment and the addition of the 12^th schedule into the constitution, Urban Local Bodies (ULB) got constitutional position for governing urban areas.

Issues Related to Urban Local Bodies

✔     Lack of funds: Urban municipal governments face a severe lack of funds due to prominence of tethered funds, heavy dependence on Intergovernmental Transfers and  inefficiency in tax collection

●      Example: According to the 2018 Economic Survey, municipalities are not utilising property tax to its maximum potential.

✔     Lack of power: Most state governments have not delegated power to Urban Local Bodies which affects governance effectively

●      Example: Any municipal borrowings have to be approved by the state government.

✔     Multiplicity of agencies: Different agencies on public utilities are under the supervision of the state governments. The municipal bodies have to contribute to the budget of these agencies while having minimal control over them.

●      Example: State electricity board, Water supply department

✔     Unplanned Urbanization: Growth of cities was without proper planning. Thus presently, ULBs find it difficult to cope with the increasing needs of the population.

●      Example: traffic congestion, lack of green spaces, creation of slums without proper facilities like school, hospitals

✔     Limited public participation: Even though urban population is more literate, ULBs in India often face a lack of public participation in decision-making processes, which affects their effectiveness and accountability.

Some Successful Urban local bodies in India

✔      Pune Municipal Corporation: recognized for its effective waste management practices, including the implementation of a door-to-door waste collection system and the establishment of a waste segregation and processing facility.

✔      Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation:  It facilitated a public-private partnership that operates a network of bus rapid transit corridors hence improving quality transport network

There were several commissions and reports regarding urban planning. This include, National Commission on Urbanization, 1988 many of its recommendation was included in 74^th constitutional amendment, 1992. 2^nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) report, NITI Aayog also had several recommendations on urban planning.

Committee recommendations

Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) Report on Urbanization

 

✔      National Commission on Urbanisation: A new such commission should be constituted to deal with the rapid urbanisation, and bring about more balanced and efficient urbanisation in the country.

✔      Waste disposal: In all towns and cities with a population above 1 lakh, Public Private Partnership projects can be created for garbage collection and disposal.

✔      Transportation: Urban Transport Authorities to be called Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities in the Metropolitan Corporations, should be set up in cities with population over one million within one year for coordinated planning and urban transport solutions

✔      Creation of task force: Each State Government should create a task force to examine and suggest simplification of procedures in local governments

✔      Common categorisation of urban bodies:  adoption of a common categorisation of urban bodies across the country to improve clarity in their definition to assist a systematic planning process and devolution of funds.

✔      Urban poor: It is necessary to earmark and reserve a certain percentage of land projects in each town and city for the urban poor.

NITI Aayog Recommendation on Urban Planning

 

✔      Planning Healthy Cities:  Aspire to make every cities 'Healthy City for All' by 2030. The report recommends a Central Sector Scheme '500 Healthy Cities Programme', for 5 years

✔      Revision of Town and Country Planning Acts: It was recommended for the formation of an apex committee at the state level to undertake a regular review of planning legislation.

✔      Steps for Enhancing the Role of Private Sector: It recommends to include private sector to improve the overall planning capacity which include the adoption of fair processes for procuring technical consultancy services, and strengthening project structuring and management skills in the public sector.

✔      Finance management: Introduction of standardised, time bound and audited balance sheets across ULBs for finance management.

✔      Strengthening Human Resource and Match Demand–Supply: The report recommends 'National Council of Town and Country Planners' as a statutory body. It also recommends a 'National Digital Platform of Town and Country Planners', which enable the self-registration of all planners and evolve as a marketplace for potential employers and urban planners.

India’s Global Commitments

✔     SDG Goal 11: Promotion of urban planning as one of the recommended methods for achieving sustainable development.

✔     UN Habitat (2020): It suggests that the spatial conditions of a city can enhance its power to generate social, economic and environmental value and well-being.

✔     UN-Habitat’s New Urban Agenda: It puts forth principles for the planning, construction, development, management, and improvement of urban areas.

✔     Paris Agreement: India’s National Determined Contributions (NDCs) includes the goals to reduce the emission intensity of the country's GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030 from the 2005 level.

Government initiatives to facilitate urbanization

✔     RURBAN Mission: objective of the scheme is bridging the rural-urban divide through economic, technological and related facilities and services.

✔     SMART city mission: to drive economic growth and improve quality of life through comprehensive work on social, economic, physical and institutional pillars of the city through principles of sustainable and inclusive development

✔     Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: Rural and Urban- to achieve the goal of housing for all

✔     Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): The scheme aims to improve the quality of life in urban areas by improving water supply, sewerage, and stormwater drainage, by promoting green spaces and public transportation.

✔     One nation 1 ration card: The scheme enable migrant workers and their families to access the public distribution system (PDS) benefits from any fair price shops across the country.

✔     National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM): To reduce poverty and vulnerability of urban poor households

✔     Model Tenancy Act, 2021: Aims towards the goal of housing for all ]

Case studies

✔     PlaNYC: A Greener, Greater New York. – A comprehensive roadmap for sustainable urban development in New York City, addressing environmental, social, and economic considerations. It includes:

●      improving air quality

●      addressing climate change

●      expanding public transportation

●      increasing green spaces

✔     Sustainable Hong Kong: Refers to initiatives, policies, and practices aimed at achieving long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. This include:

●      green building and urban planning

●      waste management

●      renewable energy

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

1.     Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (2023)

2.     How is the growth of Tier 2 Cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture of consumption? (2022)

3.     With a brief background of the quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the smart city program. (2016)

4.     Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades. (2015)

5.     Smart cities in India cannot be sustained without smart villages. Discuss the statement in the backdrop of rural-urban integration. (2015)

6.     Discuss the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. (2013)

Tags:
Society

Keywords:
Urbanisation Urbanisation and Feminisation of Agriculture Slum Development Planned Urbanisation Smart Cities ULB

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Urbanization