Background

• The world’s urban population has reached an estimated 4.7 billion, or 57.5% of the world’s total population, with projections to double by 2050. 
• October 31 is observed every year as World Cities Day. The theme for this year’s World Cities Day is ‘Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalysing Local Action for Urban Sustainability’.  
• World Bank estimates suggest around 40% of India’s population live in urban areas, in around 9,000 statutory and census towns.
• Cities in India occupy just 3.0% of the nation’s land, but their contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) is a massive 60.0%.
• Such is the importance of urban areas to the growth of India.

Challenges faced by Indian cities

• Inadequate Spatial Planning: Urban planning in India is mostly based on outdated frameworks which does not accommodate the rapid population growth and urbanization trends. 
  • This has led to overcrowding, in peri-urban areas, where displaced workers and migrants settle in poorly planned neighborhoods.
• Housing Shortages: Around 40% of India’s urban population lives in slums without essential services such as water, sanitation, and secure housing. 
• Climate Change Impacts: Indian cities face extreme climate-related challenges, including urban flooding during heavy rains, heat island effects from unregulated urban sprawl, and high levels of pollution. 
• Massive Migration: Economic distress based migration, both from rural to urban areas and between urban centers places put pressure on already stretched infrastructure. 
• Inequality and Social Segregation: The urban landscape is increasingly marked by stark disparities. While exclusive developments cater to the wealthy, millions of urban poor live in substandard conditions, reflecting a widening gap in access to resources and opportunities.
• Governance Limitations: Despite constitutional amendments (74th Constitutional Amendment), most cities are managed by entities other than local bodies. Urban planning and decision-making are often outsourced to parastatal and private organizations, leaving elected representatives with limited control and reducing accountability to the local population.
• Limited Financial Resources: Urban local bodies receive a mere 0.5% of the GDP through intergovernmental transfers, severely restricting their ability to invest in critical infrastructure and services. This lack of funding hampers development initiatives and makes them dependent on the State government.

Way Forward

• Updating Urban Planning Frameworks: Development of dynamic spatial and temporal plans to accommodate population growth and urbanization trends. 
  • Priority should be given for inclusive planning that addresses the needs of all socioeconomic groups, including affordable housing and basic amenities.
• Strengthen Governance and Local Autonomy: Implementation of  the 74th Constitutional Amendment by transferring urban governance functions to elected representatives.
  • Enhance accountability by involving local communities in decision-making processes and urban development initiatives.
• Urban local bodies should be empowered to raise resources  and develop infrastructure for the development of urban areas.