Asian cities are growing rapidly and their population, i.e., the total urban population of Asia will cross 55 per cent by 2030. While most Asian countries have figured among the less developed nations of the world, this rapid pace of urbanisation offers immense opportunity for these countries to become more prosperous, because it is a given that the prosperity of nations is determined by the prosperity of its cities. And therein lies the distinct possibility of pulling millions more out of poverty and crafting a better future for all. Yet the path is strewn with challenges and obstacles. These include problems of water security, clean/green mobility, sanitation and waste management and urban shelter provision. Each of these is significant by itself and when taken together, become formidable. Take water, for example. There is growing demand due to rising populations, increased industrial needs and the dwindling reserves – ground water depletion, unpredictable rainfall, contamination of natural resources, near zero recycling, etc. Housing presents yet another challenge. In recent times, Asia recorded the biggest gains in lifting people out of slums; yet some estimates suggest that alongside, the actual numbers of slum dwellers in the continent increased further, meaning that slum populations are growing faster than our ability to rehabilitate the slum dwellers. Urban mobility needs too are growing rapidly. The growing numbers of vehicles – mostly private – on city roads is leading to much congestion and safety issues. While electric mobility is gathering pace, the crying need is for reliable, safe, and affordable mass public transit systems. There is good progress in Indian cities on the metro rail front with rapid rollout of networks and speedy operationalisation. This could become the backbone of urban transit in the times to come.
Climate Change presents a major hazard in our cities with frequency and intensity of increased rainfall, floods, cyclones and similar events causing bigger impacts given the density of the population. These events have a disproportionately greater impact upon the poor, women, children, and the elderly – the vulnerable sections. Special care is needed to devise solutions and build resilience into cities.
Given these challenges, there is urgent need for cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders across international borders in order to come up with lasting, effective, and affordable solutions in order to build sustainable and inclusive cities in Asia. In this background, we are organising the Asian Cities Summit in collaboration with other partners in April in the capital. It will bring together a large cross section of urban experts including policy makers, urban local body personnel, urban planners, academicians, and industry leaders. There will surely be much brainstorming and innovative thinking among some of the best urban minds on the continent. We will then be armed with a host of possible strategies to enable craft appropriate solutions to our urban challenges and build a sustainable future. I shall look forward keenly to the event and its outcomes.
I extend a warm welcome to all delegates to the Asian Cities Summit 2023 and wish you all a fruitful and pleasant stay
in Delhi.
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