India is about to experience an urban revolution never seen before. By 2031, around 600 million people are predicted to live in cities, placing tremendous strain on our cities. The question now is not if urbanization will occur, but rather how we can guide it in the direction of a just and sustainable future.
Sustainable urban development is a socio-economic necessity as well as an environmental one. Cities must be redesigned to be resilient against pollution, climate change, and socio-economic divides while they emerge as hubs of development, innovation, and cross-cultural interaction. As a result, urban planning becomes an effective instrument for tackling these complex issues.
Sustainability has long been ingrained in traditional Indian cities. Our historic cities provide important insights into climate-responsive planning, from the walkable, compact layouts of Jaipur and Varanasi to the water management systems of Mohenjo-Daro. However, contemporary urbanization has frequently followed a different course, marked by ecological balance being disregarded and sprawling.
A recalibration is required today. Land use, transportation, the environment, and public areas must all be integrated into an all-encompassing urban planning strategy. High-density housing and mixed-use complexes close to transit routes can lessen urban sprawl and improve the quality of life in cities. The emphasis should be on accessibility and walkability, making sure that necessary services are accessible.
Resilience, justice, and environmental stewardship should all be incorporated into urban planning. For example, adaptive reuse of historic structures can maintain cultural heritage while lowering construction waste. Furthermore, all citizens—including women, children, and the elderly—benefit from inclusive public areas created with universal access in mind by feeling safe and included.
When creating masterplans, planners must take sun orientation and microclimates into account to further enhance city design. Building orientation that maximizes natural light and ventilation can lower energy use while improving occupant comfort.
In India, air, water, and noise pollution continue to be among the most urgent urban problems. Particulate matter has increased to dangerously high levels in places like Delhi and Kolkata. Public health is declining, and urban heat islands are getting worse.
An essential component of urban growth must be green infrastructure. Green belts, parks, urban woods, and corridors must be given top priority by planners. Cities may improve air quality and adapt to climate change with the help of water-sensitive urban architecture, vertical gardens, and green roofs.
Furthermore, urban flooding can be reduced and ecological balance restored by revitalizing water bodies and establishing blue-green networks. In cities like Bengaluru, community-led projects have demonstrated encouraging results in recovering lakes. Furthermore, establishing biodiversity parks inside city bounds can help wildlife and provide inhabitants with educational opportunities, strengthening their bond with the natural world.
Another promising strategy is urban agriculture. In addition to enhancing food security, rooftop farming, vertical gardens, and community allotments can also enhance urban microclimates and encourage sustainable practices in local communities.
Cities in India frequently have ineffective transportation systems that mostly rely on fossil fuels. Road congestion and pollution are exacerbated by the reliance on private automobiles. Cities must prioritize walking, bicycling, and public transportation in order to achieve sustainable mobility.
To cut down on emissions and commuting times, transit-oriented development, or TOD, should be promoted. Scalable solutions combining BRTS and metro connectivity have been pioneered by cities like Ahmedabad and Kochi. Integrated ticketing systems and last-mile connectivity must be added to these.
Infrastructure for electric vehicles and intelligent traffic systems can improve transportation efficiency. Mobility solutions, however, need to be inclusive and accessible, particularly for the elderly and those from low-income backgrounds. Building safe bike lanes, accessible bus stops, and covered pedestrian pathways can significantly increase daily mobility and promote a move toward active transportation.
Everyone must have respectable living conditions in a sustainable city. Housing shortages and informal settlements are the results of rapid urbanization. More than 10 million units of housing are needed in metropolitan India, with low-income groups being the main victims.
Policies for inclusive housing that serve all economic levels must be promoted by urban planning. Programs for slum improvement, rental housing promotion, and zoning amendments can all be beneficial. Access to livelihoods, education, water, and sanitation must all be guaranteed by housing policies.
Affordable housing can be expedited through creative funding and public-private collaborations. Redevelopment of slums ought to be inclusive and considerate of community demands. In places where there is a high demand for housing, using prefabricated materials and modular construction techniques can help lower prices and speed up the delivery of houses.
Smart Cities and Technological Integration
The foundation for using technology to enhance governance and quality of life has been established by the Smart Cities Mission. Now, the emphasis needs to change to data-driven decision-making that improves openness and public participation.
Digital platforms can enhance disaster preparedness, energy tracking, and trash management. The majority of urban expansion is anticipated in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, thus technologies must be scalable and flexible there. A hybrid paradigm that combines contemporary technology with conventional systems may provide a more pertinent strategy.
Resource efficiency can be greatly increased by integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for energy monitoring, water metering, and lighting. AI and machine learning can also help with infrastructure planning and urban forecasting, allowing for proactive government as opposed to reactive governance.
The Role of Architecture and Placemaking
In addition to influencing aesthetics, architects and urban planners also influence how resilient urban areas are. Careful planning can promote environmental sustainability and community engagement.
Placemaking projects, including cultural districts and pedestrian plazas, have the power to turn underutilized spaces into thriving centers. Local temperatures, local materials, and vernacular techniques must all be included into architecture. The carbon footprint can be decreased by using green certifications and passive design techniques.
Another important factor in defining identity is architecture. Citizens’ sense of pride and ownership can be bolstered by public buildings and civic areas that are constructed with local context and cultural symbols in mind.
In India, fragmented governance is a significant barrier to sustainable planning. Jurisdictions that overlap cause inefficiencies and delays. It is crucial to have a single model of government at the metropolitan level.
Urban municipal bodies need to be given autonomy and resources. Participatory planning involves involving private partners, civil society, and citizens. Building capacity among residents, engineers, and planners is also essential.
Long-term urban strategies also need to be protected from political swings. Regardless of shifting administrations, the establishment of autonomous urban commissioners or planning boards can guarantee continuity and the achievement of strategic objectives.
The decisions we make today will determine how India’s cities develop in the future. It is imperative that urban planning become more inclusive, interdisciplinary, and progressive. Development should be based on sustainability.
It is essential to provide context-specific solutions that take into account India’s varied geography and culture. As planners, architects, and citizens, it is our responsibility to make sure that our cities serve as havens of wellbeing in addition to being hubs of development. We can create intelligent, sustainable, and compassionate cities with inclusive design and imaginative leadership.
We have the chance to change the urban future of India. Let’s create cities that are not only robust and effective, but also motivating, enabling all residents to prosper.
Authored by Dikshu C. Kukreja, Managing Principal, CPKA