The world is experiencing a historically unprecedented transition from predominantly rural to chiefly urban living. In 1950, a third of the world’s population lived in cities; today, the proportion has already reached more than a half. By 2050, city dwellers are expected to account for more than two-thirds of the world’s population
Cities are an efficient way of organizing people’s lives: they enable economies of scale and network effects, reducing the need for transportation and making economic activity more environmentally friendly. At present the linkages between cities already form the backbone of global trade. Cities generate a majority of the world’s GDP (gross domestic product).
The Government of India’s plan for 100 Smart Cities announcement attracted global attention. India needs to integrate spatial planning at city, state & national governmental levels. The Government has sought to foster urban development by introducing legislation such as the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act and through various initiatives, such as the creation of five industrial corridors and, more recently, the launching of the Make in India programme.
Main Challenges of Urban Development in India as per Government of India’s High Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) and the World Bank:-
– Planning for land use and zoning
– Functioning of the property market and property governance
– Access to serviced land and affordable housing
– Access to mass transit systems and road networks
– Division of power and financial autonomy between ULBs and other levels of government
– Creating a favourable environment for starting, operating and growing a business
According to the World Bank, the challenges have arisen from the following governance deficits:-
– Empowerment deficit: Limited, overlapping and fragmented functional assignments resulting in unclear accountability at the city level
– Resource deficit: Limited revenue-generation powers and inappropriately targeted intergovernmental transfers resulting in inadequate
local government financial resources
– Accountability deficit: Despite elections and the right to information, transparency structures, roles and mandates are unclear
– Delivery deficit: Insufficient provision and maintenance of municipal services and networks
Major Policies Impacting Urban Development in India :-
A. 74th Amendment to the Constitution.
This 1992 amendment requires state governments to modify their municipal bylaws to empower ULBs to function as institutions of self-
governance.
B. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
The JNNURM (2005–2014) was a programme designed as a partnership between the Government of India, state governments and ULBs to encourage
reforms and fast track development in specific cities.
C. Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
This piece of legislation, commenced in 2014, establishes new rules for compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation to facilitate the smooth functioning of the property market.
D. Make in India
This programme, launched by the new administration in 2014, aims to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure.
E. Clean India Mission (Swachh Bharat Mission)
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) (“Clean India Mission”) has been launched in October 2014 and will run for five years to mark the 150th anniversary of Gandhi’s birthday.
