From devastation by the second wave of COVID-19 to the largest vaccination drive, 2021 was a year of extremes. Cities initially faltered, learnt, stood up, and fought back. 2021 was indeed hard on cities and also on most citizens. The experience of the bygone year shall pave the way for future transformation in our urban spaces.
A majority of the global population lives in cities, which play an important role in people’s lives. Cities provide shelter, livelihood, prosperity, superior facilities in education and healthcare, and more. Cities also offer a defence mechanism to the human race to face any difficulty. COVID-19 was one of them.
Cities were known for buzzing social life, but like 2020, social interactions in cities was limited to online meetings and video chats. The Pandemic was also a reminder that all of us are better connected than ever before. A virus spread from China brought the whole world to a halt in a matter of months. The same is true for the various mutants of the virus. Similarly, a vaccine breakthrough in one country enabled people across the globe to get immunized. The second wave of the Pandemic was so severe that the preparations made by governments and hospitals during the first wave fell short. There was a frenzy. People were helpless. They struggled for hospital beds, oxygen, essential medicines required for the treatment, and even for a dignified cremation and burials for their loved ones. For a few weeks, everyone was clueless. Like everyone, cities failed too, but they were the ones who came up with innovative ideas for bringing relief to citizens. Our life in cities has changed. Wearing of mask and frequent sanitization are the new normal. We are still living under the threat of new variants of the virus. Adapting to a change is difficult, but it is essential for our safety and of the people around us. Another looming threat on Earth is Climate Change and Global Warming. Cities host a large part of the global population, approximately 55 per cent. It is going to impact lives in our cities. Global leadership and urbanists of the world focused on increasing the role of cities in the fight against climate change. Climate change affects everything around us – from economies, migration, health, environment, and life expectancy.
Though the major focus globally has been on COVID-19, cities also made progress in other crucial areas this year. This year’s Urban October focused on the climate crisis, which is also the theme of UN-Habitat’s campaign on ClimateAction4Cities. Cities worldwide were encouraged to align their works and write a new narrative for their development. Urban October began with World Habitat Day 2021 on October 4. The series of actions were focused on accelerating urban action for a carbon-free future. Urban October closed with the eighth celebration of World Cities Day 2021 on October 31 under the theme ‘Adapting Cities for Climate Resilience’. The central event of the year was the UN Climate Conference – COP 26, and it focused on global net-zero emissions.
In India, cities have additional tasks on hand. In addition to playing a crucial role in achieving targets under international agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals, New Urban Agenda, and the Sendai Framework, they have to make their urban operations efficient and smart. The government of India has extended the Smart Cities Mission project works deadline by two years. The government also announced Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted, “In the next stage of AMRUT, country targets to have access to clean water for all urban citizens, increase coverage of sewerage & septage management, make our cities water-secure and ensure that no dirty water falls into the rivers from drains.” SBM Urban 2.0 aims to make our cities garbage free and ensure clean air, clean water, and clean land.
Cities are gradually on the way to becoming efficient. At least, there is a visible effort and restlessness in government institutions dealing with urban affairs to do something constructive for cities so that future generations can see a new façade of urban spaces. To do this, the urban development approach has to be participatory, and master plans should be evolving and accommodating. They should not be like writings cast in stone. Cities like humans will obviously make mistakes in their evolutionary phase, but they must keep an eye on the rearview mirror to avoid repeating any. This will make them smart and sustainable, equitable and
eventually livable.
Cities are known for buzzing social life, but like 2020, social interaction in cities was limited to online meetings and video chats. The Pandemic was also a reminder that all of us are well-connected more than ever. A virus spread from China brought the whole world to a halt in a matter of months