Source: The post Building Sustainable cities in India has been created, based on the article “Building a city of the Future” published in “Business Line” on 4 September 2025. Building Sustainable cities in India.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper- 3- Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
Context: Urbanization is a key driver of India’s future economic growth. By 2045, India’s urban population is projected to reach nearly one billion, with several megacities emerging. This rapid urban expansion necessitates the development of climate-resilient and sustainable urban infrastructure to protect citizens from extreme heat, flooding, and other climate-induced risks.
Challenges:
- Vulnerability of urban housing: More than half of the housing stock needed by 2070 is yet to be built, making new housing highly susceptible to flooding, extreme heat, cyclones, landslides, and earthquakes.
- Infrastructure gap: India needs to build over 144 million new homes along with robust transportation and municipal services to meet future demands.
- Climate risks: Extreme heat and urban flooding pose severe threats. Rising temperatures and inadequate drainage systems exacerbate the impacts on health and productivity.
- Economic losses: Without proper planning, climate-induced disasters may cost billions of dollars annually and disrupt urban economic activity.
- Institutional and planning challenges: Lack of forward-looking urban planning and inadequate institutional capacity can hinder climate-resilient urban development.
Measures/Strategies:
- Integrated flood management: Identify high-risk zones, improve city-wide drainage, and use nature-based solutions to absorb excess rainwater. Cities like Kolkata and Chennai are adopting city-level forecasting and stormwater management systems.
- Climate-resilient housing: Plan, design, construct, and maintain new housing with compact, sustainable layouts that can withstand floods, heatwaves, and other extreme events.
- Transportation and urban planning: Ensure road networks are resilient to floods; integrate public transport and alternative routes to maintain connectivity during disasters.
- Green infrastructure: Increase tree cover, implement heat mitigation strategies like cool roofs, and enhance public spaces to reduce urban heat islands.
- Institutional and financial support: Strengthen collaboration between government, citizens, and private sector; mobilize investment for sustainable urban development.
- Technology and innovation: Use early warning systems, digital mapping, and climate-resilient construction technologies to enhance urban preparedness.
Question: Discuss the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in India and suggest measures to make Indian cities climate-resilient and sustainable.
