Sansad TV Perspective: Urban Planning

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: ‘Urban Planning’

Anchor: Vishal Dahiya

Participants:

1. Dr. K.K. Pandey, Professor, Urban Management IIPA
2. Sudhir Krishna, Former Union Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development
3. Jaya Dhindaw, Director, Integrated Urban Planning, WRI India

Context: Prime Minister’s address at a post-budget webinar on ‘Urban Planning, Development & Sanitation’.

Highlights of the Discussion:

1. Introduction
2. PM’s Address
3. Significance of Urban Planning
4. Issues
5. Management v/s Expansion
6. Financing Urban Planning 

Introduction:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a post-budget webinar on the subject of ‘Urban Development with a focus on planning’ in March 2023.
• The webinar was led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• Safai Mitras, lead NGOs, civil society organisations, worker associations, financial institutions, urban planners and public representatives also shared their inputs.
• It is the sixth of a series of 12 post-budget webinars organised by the government to seek ideas and suggestions for the effective implementation of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget 2023.

PM’s Address:

• The Prime Minister opined that well-planned cities are going to be the need of the hour in the fast-paced environment of India in the 21st century.  
• He said that the development of new cities and the modernization of services in the existing ones are the two main aspects of urban development. 
• He also highlighted the significance of urban development in every budget of the country and informed that an incentive of Rs 15,000 crores has been declared in this year’s budget for urban development and expressed confidence that it will provide impetus to planned urbanisation.
• He reiterated the significant role of planning and governance in urban development pointing out that poor planning of cities or lack of proper implementation after planning can create huge challenges in the development journey. 
• The Prime Minister underlined the significance of transport planning for the development and uninterrupted mobility of cities.
• He also emphasised the need to make the circular economy a major basis of urban development as thousands of tonnes of municipal waste such as battery waste, electrical waste, automobile waste, tires and waste used for making compost are generated in India every day. 
• Throwing light on the increasing role of futuristic technology in the field of urban development, the Prime Minister urged the startups as well as the industry to think in this direction and act quickly. 

Significance of Urban Planning:

1. Managing Urbanisation: India is witnessing unprecedented urbanisation, with millions of people migrating from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities. Urban planning can help manage this growth and ensure that cities are developed in a way that is sustainable and livable.
2. Addressing Infrastructure Challenges: Rapid urbanisation has put a strain on existing infrastructure in many Indian cities, such as water supply, sanitation, transportation, and energy. Urban planning can help address these challenges by ensuring that infrastructure is developed in a coordinated and efficient manner.
3. Promoting Inclusive Development: Urban planning can play a critical role in promoting inclusive development by ensuring that urban growth benefits all sections of society, including marginalised communities. This can be achieved through measures such as affordable housing, public spaces, and community facilities.
4. Enhancing Economic Growth: Urban planning can help create an environment that is conducive to economic growth by providing the necessary infrastructure and amenities.
5. Mitigating Environmental Risks: Urbanisation can also have significant environmental impacts, such as air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and loss of green spaces. Urban planning can help mitigate these risks by promoting sustainable development practices, such as renewable energy, green buildings, and sustainable transportation.

Issues with Urban Planning in India:

• Urban planning in India post-independence has faced several challenges that have hindered its effectiveness. 
• Urban planning requires strong political will and commitment to be effective. However, in India, urban planning has often been low on the political agenda, resulting in inadequate investment, poor enforcement, and weak institutional frameworks.
• Rapid urbanisation has put tremendous pressure on urban infrastructure and services, making it difficult to plan for and manage urban growth.
• A significant proportion of the urban population in India lives in informal settlements, such as slums and squatter settlements. These settlements are often characterised by poor living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of access to basic services. Urban planning in India has often failed to address the needs of these settlements, leading to further marginalisation and exclusion.
• Urban planning has often been hampered by weak institutional frameworks, inadequate capacity, and a lack of coordination between different agencies. This has led to ineffective planning, inadequate enforcement, and poor implementation of plans.
• Urban planning requires significant financial resources to be effective. However, in India, urban planning has often been underfunded, with inadequate investment in infrastructure, services, and amenities.

Management V/S Expansion of Urban Areas:

• Many cities are expanding rapidly to accommodate the growing population. While the expansion of cities is necessary to meet the needs of the growing population, managing existing cities is equally important. 
• A balanced approach is necessary, which addresses the challenges of urban expansion while managing existing cities effectively.

Expansion:

• As cities expand, they require adequate land for new infrastructure, housing, and economic activities. However, in many cases, acquiring land for urban development has been a contentious issue in India, with issues related to land ownership, compensation, and resettlement.
• Expansion of cities can have significant environmental impacts, including loss of green spaces, air and water pollution, and increased carbon emissions. It is essential to manage the environmental impacts of urban expansion through sustainable development practices.
• As cities expand, it is essential to plan for the necessary infrastructure to support urban growth to ensure that new areas of the city have access to basic services and amenities.

Management:

• Existing cities often have inadequate infrastructure that needs to be upgraded to meet the needs of the growing population. This requires a significant investment in upgrading and expanding existing infrastructure, such as water supply, sanitation, transportation, and energy.
• Many Indian cities have neglected urban spaces, such as parks, public spaces, and historic sites, which can contribute to a sense of community and well-being. It is essential to revitalise these spaces to create livable and attractive cities.
• Many Indian cities are facing a severe shortage of affordable housing, which has resulted in the growth of informal settlements and slums. It is essential to address the shortage of affordable housing through effective urban planning and policies.

Financing Urban Planning:

• Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be an effective way to finance urban planning in India. PPPs can help leverage private sector expertise and resources while ensuring that public interests are protected.
• Municipal bonds can be an effective way for local governments to raise capital for urban infrastructure projects. Municipal bonds can help mobilise funds from investors who are interested in investing in urban infrastructure projects.
• User charges, such as tolls, fees, and tariffs, can be a significant source of revenue for urban infrastructure projects. User charges can help recover the costs of providing infrastructure services and help reduce the burden on public finances.
• Land value capture (LVC) is a mechanism that allows local governments to capture a portion of the increase in land value that occurs due to urban infrastructure projects. LVC can help finance infrastructure projects while ensuring that the benefits of urban development are shared by all.
• Innovative financing mechanisms, such as impact bonds, green bonds, and social impact bonds, can be used to finance urban infrastructure projects in India. These financing mechanisms leverage private sector investment while ensuring that social and environmental outcomes are achieved.

Read more on Urban Planning.

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