Cities continue to swell, necessitating more attention and more funding

As we bid farewell to another transformative year, the year-ender edition of Urban Update delves into the happenings in 2023 that impacted urban governance and management, city operations, and policy decisions, which could change the urban landscape in the coming years

Cities grew and swelled in 2023 too. They will continue to grow in Asia and Africa in the coming decades. Our Census that was scheduled in 2021 could not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but various reports suggest the Indian urbanisation trend is on an upward trajectory. Our urban population would be something in the range of 35-37 per cent of the total population. Considering the Indian population to be about 1.45 billion, the Indian urban population stands between 500 and 550 million, which is about 12.5 to 13 per cent of the global urban population, while India’s total population is about 18-19 per cent of the global population. Meanwhile, India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, is poised to secure the third spot by 2030. With the urban population growing and the economy picking up pace, cities are set to play a prominent role in this journey, demanding more attention and more finance.

A majority of developed countries already have a high urbanisation rate, in many cases, 80 per cent and above. It is often seen that highly urbanised countries are more prosperous than less urbanised ones. So we can connect prosperity with urbanisation or vice versa. Of course, there would be some exceptions, but it is proven that economic productivity in urban areas has always been higher than in rural areas. So it is evident that the rise of cities is nothing to lament.

India, striving to become a global economic power, has been working on improving infrastructure and services in its urban heartlands. The national government is committed to providing world-class facilities, high-end and sustainable transport systems, and seemless connectivity with other cities for Indian businesses and individuals to grow and prosper, and at the same time, attract global businesses to set up their units in Indian urban centers. During the last ten years, the Indian government has been building highways and expressways at a breakneck speed. Indian railways are on a fast track to transform itself. The introduction of new fast trains, the upgrading of railway stations in many major cities, and the upcoming bullet train connectivity between Ahmedabad and Mumbai are some examples.

Air connectivity is also being improved. This year alone, 60 new underserved routes were opened, 154 more routes were awarded, and three greenfield airports were operationalised. During the year, domestic passenger traffic reached a new all-time high. Airlines in India flew over 450,000 domestic passengers on November 19 this year. Amidst all this, the focus remains on making all these operations carbon-neutral. The Ministry of Civil Aviation says that 66 Indian airports are running with 100 per cent Green Energy. The Ministry has advised all the operational airports with scheduled operations and developers of the upcoming Greenfield Airports to work towards achieving carbon neutrality and net zero, which inter alia includes the use of green energy.

Balancing Act

The development in our cities intertwines with the challenges of sustainability, impacts on the local environment, and societal equilibrium. From burgeoning metropolises to the quiet metamorphosis of small towns, environmental issues keep coming up. Like every year, this year too, the Urban Update team interacted with many city representatives—mayors, commissioners, chairpersons of municipal bodies, senior experts in the urban development field, climate activists, academicians, and researchers. All agreed on one thing: cities need finance, technology, and capacity-building programs for existing staff to combat the climate change battle.

There were many cities that stood out with their excellent innovative solutions to fight climatic issues or other common urban challenges. Cities are increasingly focusing on green initiatives, renewable energy adoption, and eco-friendly urban planning. From implementing smart transportation solutions to creating green spaces and sustainable infrastructure, cities are taking bold steps towards a more environmentally conscious future.

From climate-resilient infrastructure to robust public health systems, cities are gearing up to face and overcome the challenges of the 21st Century. Since India will be building and rebuilding many urban spaces, it is an opportune time to introduce sustainable practices in urban operations. The PM e-bus Sewa launched this year is one such initiatives. It will ensure the deployment of 10,000 e-buses from the central budgetary support of `20,000 cr. This scheme will surely benefit the cities without any organised bus service. The scheme is for cities having a population of over 3,00,000. There are 15 Indian cities with operational metro services, and there are 27 cities where metro works are in progress to construct about 800 track kms. The widespread adoption of smart city initiatives, IoT applications, and data-driven decision-making is enhancing the efficiency and quality of urban services. The digital revolution is not only changing the way cities function but also improving the overall quality of life. Efforts are being made to bridge socio-economic disparities, provide affordable housing, and ensure access to essential services for all residents. The emphasis is on creating cities that are not only economically vibrant but also socially cohesive.

City in Focus in 2023: Ahmedabad

The year was special for another reason. India hosted the Urban20 under the G20 series of events. The recommendations that emerged from U20 were included in the G20 Declaration. The city that organized the series of events this year was Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad was the chair of Urban20 this year under India’s G20 Presidency. The city bureaucracy and elected representatives from the Amdavad Municipal Corporation, with support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, and the Gujarat government, organized City Sherpa Meet in February and U20 Mayors’ Forum in July this year. Hundreds of city representatives from G20 countries and some others from observer cities took part.

The Urban Update team, along with the AIILSG team, was privileged to cover the event and assist the Technical Secretariat of Urban20 in bringing out special editions of U20 newsletters focusing on activities carried out under the U20 series of events. The Urban20 Mayors Forum in July this year was appreciated by participants and conveners for bringing out a comprehensive U20 Communique—a call to G20 countries for enabling cities to ensure a resilient and inclusive urban future. It received a total of 105 endorsements—32 endorsements from U20 cities and 73 endorsements from observer cities. It is the maximum endorsement for any U20 communique since its inception in Buenos Aires. There were some other white papers released.

As we navigate the intricate pathways of urban development in India and South Asia in 2023, it becomes evident that the future is being shaped by a symphonic blend of sustainability, technology, inclusivity, and resilience. The transformative journey of Indian cities is a testament to the determination and innovation of the people steering the course towards a brighter, more sustainable urban future. 2023 was good; we hope 2024 will be better and brighter for cities.