Urbanization in India: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Introduction

India’s urbanisation is rapidly transforming its cities, yet these centres face significant challenges: water shortages, urban heating, and infrastructural strains.
As urbanization in India continues, understanding and addressing these issues becomes paramount for sustainable development.

The movement of people from rural (countryside) to urban (towns and cities) areas is known as urbanization.
The United Nations has classified this phenomena, which has become more prevalent in recent years, as one of the four demographic mega-trends, along with population growth, aging, and international migration.

Planned Settlements:
- Developed by government agencies or housing societies according to officially approved plans.
- Consider physical, social, and economic factors to ensure orderly development.
- Aim to create sustainable and livable environments with adequate infrastructure and services.
Unplanned Settlements:
- Arise without legal approval, either on government land or private property, in a disorderly manner.
- Include permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary structures, often found near city drains, railway tracks, low-lying areas, or agricultural land and green belts.
- Lack basic infrastructure and services, leading to significant quality-of-life challenges for residents.

From 751 million in 1950 (30% of the world’s population) to 4.2 billion in 2018 (55% of the world’s population), the worldwide urban population has increased dramatically.
By 2030, 5.2 billion people (or 60% of the world’s population) are expected to live there; by 2050, 6.7 billion people (or 68% of the world’s population) will live there.
urbanization in india mirrors this global trend.
The 2011 Census found that the percentage of people living in urban areas climbed from 27.7% in 2001 to 31.1% in 2011, which translates to 377.1 million people and a 2.76% annual growth rate.
Large Tier 1 cities are giving way to medium-sized towns as a result of this urban expansion, which is being fueled by a number of variables like security, employment, and education.
Maharashtra is first in terms of absolute numbers, with 50.8 million urban dwellers (or 13.5% of India’s total urban population), followed by Uttar Pradesh (44.4) and Tamil Nadu (34.9 million).

Trade and Industry: Draw in workers, encourage the construction of infrastructure, and give them access to markets and hubs for innovation.
Economic Opportunities: Businesses, factories, and institutions are the main drivers of job growth in cities.
Education: People looking for better employment opportunities and education are drawn to better schools and colleges.
Better Lifestyle: Compared to rural locations, there are more facilities such as hospitals and libraries, as well as a more vibrant social and cultural scene.
Migration: Due to the high expense of living in formal metropolitan areas, many migrants choose to dwell in unofficial settlements, which causes slums and illegal colonies devoid of essential facilities to expand.

Developing national policies and supervising central government programs pertaining to urban development is the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
State Departments of Urban Development:
- These agencies carry out national policies and establish state-specific laws pertaining to urban development.
Municipalities/Municipal Corporations:
- Manage service delivery, development control, and municipal planning.
  Urban Development Authorities (UDAs) are specialized organizations tasked with advancing particular urban projects or locations.

Give local governments (municipalities) more authority over urban development and planning in Articles 243Q and 243W.
Act of 1992, the 74th Constitutional Amendment:
- adds Part IX-A to the Constitution and gives urban local governments constitutional status.
- The 12th Schedule enumerates the duties, jurisdiction, and powers of municipalities.

SDG Goal 11:
- Promotes sustainable urban planning.
UN-Habitat’s New Urban Agenda:
- Outlines principles for urban planning, construction, and development.
UNFCCC Goal:
- Targets net zero emissions by 2070.
Headquarters Agreement with Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI):
- Enhances disaster resilience in urban areas.

Air pollution and the degradation of the environment:
- extreme air pollution brought on by construction, industry, and vehicle emissions.
  For instance, India is home to nine of the ten most polluted cities in the world.
Infrastructure for Urban Flooding and Drainage:
- During monsoons, frequent urban flooding is caused by encroaching natural water bodies and inadequate stormwater drainage systems.
- Example: Significant flooding in sections of Delhi (July 2023), Bengaluru, Ahmedabad (2022), Hyderabad (2020 and 2021), Chennai (November 2021), and Nagpur (September 2023).

Insufficient Green Spaces and the Impact of Urban Heat Island:
- Temperatures rise along with the need for energy due to rapid urbanization and loss of green space.
- For instance, a record-breaking heatwave in Delhi in May 2024 caused the city’s power demand to reach over 8,000 megawatts.

As India continues to urbanise, it must balance rapid development with sustainable practices.
Addressing challenges such as environmental degradation, water scarcity, inadequate housing, and digital infrastructure resilience is crucial for creating livable urban environments.
By leveraging innovative solutions and inclusive governance, India can navigate the complexities of urbanisation and foster a sustainable future for its burgeoning urban population.