The path to building Sustainable Cities

One might have never thought that living in an environment with clean air and greenery, would be a privilege. But here we are now. As urbanization continues to expand, it is projected that more than 70 percent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2050.

Although this is a sign of the world’s economic and social transformation, however, when we consider how urbanization has lured people to cities without preparing the cities for it, we often can’t help but wonder, how the cities made in the past are based on systems that might not work in the future? We are on the cusp where the future is signaling more frequent calamities, it is now urgent that we establish sustainability at the core of development and move forward rapidly towards building sustainably smart cities.

The pandemic has uncovered the lopsided course of India’s urban growth and amplified its vulnerabilities. Thus, the problems occurring because of rampant urbanization are among the most important challenges of this time.

Be it the burden of excess air pollution, water shortage, unsanitary conditions, urban poverty, or poor infrastructure, the cities of the world especially the developing ones are now more than ever facing trouble adjusting to unstructured growth and unregulated industrialization. However, these problems also represent one of the greatest opportunities and responsibilities for all of us alike.

For fulfilling our responsibility and utilizing an opportunity of such great potential, we have to form an integrated framework for economic and social development, urban planning, investment in infrastructure, and environment management. As we know, proper availability and distribution of basic human needs like sanitation, food, education along with employment, green corridors, smart transportation such as integrated multi-modal transportation systems, clean energy, green infrastructure are the major components of a sustainable city. This can be achieved through technology-driven planning and growth.

In India, government programs like The Smart Cities Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) are working towards building better cities and are proving to make an impact. According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recent report, under AMRUT state action plans amounting to ₹77,640 crores for basic infrastructure projects were approved, against which projects worth ₹79,772 crore have been grounded. So far, work worth ₹52,477 crores (66%) has been carried out. On the other hand, under the Smart Cities Mission, out of ₹2,05,018 crores of proposed investment, projects worth ₹48,151 crores are deemed completed. But every program comes with its limitations and in this case, there seems to be an inadequate understanding of translating plans due to high investment requirements, inefficient governance, on-ground complexities, and various other factors.

In a situation like this, technology can simplify and make transparent not only the process of governance but the destination of development and its quality as well. Therefore, importance should be given to technology-driven planning and growth. Through technology, we have to democratize, digitize and decarbonize development.

The best way to begin is by focusing on people-centered innovation that reduces existing inequities and enhances inclusive urbanization. Local-level governance and initiatives can make all the difference in the path to building sustainable cities. Approaches such as satellite cities and towns, urban forests, vertical forests, the 20-minute neighborhood should be encouraged. At the same time, it is also important to note that governments alone cannot lead the sustainable revolution. As investment is the catalyst of building sustainable cities, the proactive participation and collaboration of businesses and entire communities are essential. Sustainability has now become an element of risk mitigation and thus businesses and budding entrepreneurs have a significant opportunity to channel their efforts in a way that can generate value for companies in the long run while enhancing a city’s liveability and environmental management.

Thus, through the synergy of the concentrated efforts in innovation, governance, community participation, and focused decision making, we have to build better, sustainable, smart, and the kind of cities that we’d actually be happy to live in.

The time is now to incentivize the right innovation patterns and do more from less.

References:

Data related to AMRUT à https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1730341

Data related to smart cities à https://smartcities.gov.in/