Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to Urban planning;
Why in the News?
World Cities Day is celebrated annually on October 31, highlighting the growing urban population, now at 4.7 billion (57.5% of the total). This year’s theme focuses on empowering youth to drive local sustainability initiatives in urban areas.
What is the theme for this year’s World Cities Day?
- The theme for this year’s World Cities Day is “Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalysing Local Action for Urban Sustainability.”
- It emphasizes the vital role of young people in driving grassroots initiatives to address climate change and promote sustainable urban development.
What led to India’s rapid urbanization?
- Economic Distress: Urbanization in India is largely driven by economic hardships in rural areas, leading to both rural-to-urban and urban-to-urban migration.
- COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic exposed the strain on urban infrastructure and highlighted the reverse migration trends, showcasing gaps in urban planning.
- Lack of Census Data: The absence of precise data from the 2021 Census limits understanding and planning for urban population growth, though estimates suggest around 40% of the population resides in urban areas.
- Job Losses from Deindustrialisation: Many cities have experienced deindustrialization since the 1980s, resulting in job losses that push displaced workers to peri-urban areas.
- Overcrowding in Slums: Approximately 40% of India’s urban population lives in slums, exacerbating the challenges associated with rapid urban growth.
How big of a threat do climate change and rising inequality pose to urban growth?
- Climate Change: Indian cities face severe pollution, urban flooding, and heat island effects, which jeopardize urban sustainability and living conditions.
- Rising Inequality: Urban development often caters to wealthier populations, resulting in stark contrasts between exclusive developments and the significant number of urban residents lacking basic housing.
- Social Segregation: Increasing segregation along social and religious lines within urban settings worsens inequality and marginalizes vulnerable groups.
- Governance Limitations: Many urban areas are controlled by undemocratic bodies, limiting the effectiveness of governance and local engagement in urban planning.
- Inadequate Urban Planning: Outdated spatial and temporal planning does not address the needs of a growing urban population, further complicating the impact of climate change and social disparities.
Steps taken by the government:
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Way forward:
- Enhance Data-Driven Urban Planning: Need to conduct comprehensive and regular urban censuses to gather accurate demographic data, enabling evidence-based decision-making for urban policies and effective resource allocation.
- Strengthen Community Engagement: The government should foster participatory governance by involving local communities in urban planning and development processes.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are ‘Smart Cities’? examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ‘Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. (2016)
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