The Government has done well to launch the smart cities project, but in order to have a sustainable future, strategic planning must hinge on innovation and participation that builds on the economic, demographic attributes of the city
As countries gear up to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, there is little to cheer for the people in Indian cities, who are experiencing a continuous slide in the quality of living thanks to the deteriorating urban environmental conditions.
According to the Global liveability Survey, conducted for 181 cities across the world by Barcelona-based University of Navarra’s IESE Business School and the Centre for Globalisation and Strategy, four key Indian cities viz Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata have featured at the bottom of the survey. Mumbai was ranked at 167 followed by New Delhi at 174, Bangalore at 176 and Kolkata at 179.
The third edition of the Cities in Motion Index evaluates cities’ level of development in relation to 10 key areas or dimensions: Governance, urban planning, public management, technology, environment, international outreach, social cohesion, mobility and transportation, human capital and the economy.
This year’s CIMI edition includes 181 cities, including 72 capitals, representing more than 80 countries. Currently 56 per cent of the world’s population lives in cities and this is expected to go up to 70 per cent by 2050.
Although cities generate 80 per cent of the global growth and wealth, they are increasingly facing tough challenges on account of socio-economic hurdles and environmental consequences in the form of energy inefficiency, waste management and pollution.
India too is grappling with the difficulties caused by rapid urbanisation and this is having a direct impact on the sustainability of the cities.
In the face of such a situation it is possible that the cities may lose their unique character and advantages unless a strategic review process is conducted that not only seeks course-correction, but also specifies the goal and vision for each city.
The Government is doing a commendable job with regards to launching initiatives like smart cities project that aims to elevate cities to global standards, but in the absence of a well-thought out strategic plan that strives to provide a continuous point of reference, these excellent initiatives may not deliver the intended impact and result.
The findings of the Global liveability Survey regarding Indian cities demonstrate the disconnect that exists today between the actual problems of Indian cities and the solutions being provided.
In order to have a bright sustainable future that is environment-friendly, strategic planning for the Indian cities must hinge on innovation and participation that builds on the unique economic, demographic and geographic attributes of the city.
This will ensure the coming together of corporate businesses, citizens and Government onto a common platform in the best interests of the city. As the urban areas experience relentless increase in population and ever growing pressure on the resources, the Government can practice intelligent governance by allowing city planners to have access to best global examples of urban development, which can be modified and implemented in the Indian context.
The Government, both at the Centre and State-level, must rapidly develop strategic visions for each city and this can be done in an efficient manner by finalising a set of urban indicators that are common to Indian culture and can be identified with the fabric of a conventional Indian city.
Indicators such as socio-economic, human capital, governance and technology can cover the entire urban spectrum, but perhaps the most important will be the environment indicator with subcategories dedicated to C02 emissions, methane emissions and clean drinking water.
Once finalised, these indicators can form the bedrock for urban strategic vision and help in rapidly achieving the objective of a city with sustainable eco-friendly future that can take the population pressures of the coming years.
Change for the better is a slow process and cannot be expedited, the urban planners for Indian cities will have to step back every once in a while to assess the work done and whether it is moving in the desired direction, and this is where long-term planning pays off.
It is also critical to not rely on technology or human capital alone in the process of devising an urban strategy, as a successful plan is a combination of factors working tandem and not in isolation.
Momentous events such as the World Environment Day must serve as a reminder for India to develop a strong vision for each city that is authored by the equal participation of its people and Government. This alone can give a true to meaning to the celebration of such special days.