Role Of Smaller Cities In Sustainable Urban Development
Source: Indian Express
GS I: Urbanization, their problems and their remedies; GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; GS III: Environmental pollution and degradation
Overview
- Smaller cities can lead climate-resilient urban development through planned expansion, sustainable infrastructure and climate-focused investments.
- Rising temperatures, urban flooding and increasing cooling demand highlight the need to integrate climate considerations into urban planning.
- Energy-efficient buildings, urban green spaces, sustainable mobility and nature-based solutions can reduce climate vulnerabilities.
- Effective governance, climate finance, scientific data and local knowledge are essential to building low-carbon, inclusive and sustainable cities.
Why in the News?
An article in Indian Express highlights that smaller cities can lead climate-resilient urban development through better planning, sustainable infrastructure and climate-focused public investment to address heatwaves, flooding and rising energy demand.
News in Brief
- More than half of India’s urban population lives in cities with fewer than one million residents, highlighting their importance in climate-resilient development.
- Over 50% of the housing required by 2070 is yet to be built, offering an opportunity to integrate climate-resilient designs into new construction.
- A study of 88 Indian cities highlights the impact of land-use patterns, building density, urban expansion and green cover on cooling demand.
- India’s Cooling Action Plan aims to reduce cooling demand by 20% by 2037–38 through energy-efficient buildings and improved thermal comfort.
Climate-Resilient Urban Development
- Climate-resilient urban development involves planning cities to withstand climate-related risks while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable growth.
- It integrates three important dimensions;
- Climate adaptation: Preparing cities to withstand heatwaves, floods and other climate-related hazards.
- Emissions reduction: Promoting energy-efficient buildings, sustainable transport and low-carbon infrastructure.
- Sustainable development: Ensuring efficient resource utilization, environmental protection and inclusive urban growth.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a framework for integrating these dimensions into urban development.
Importance of Smaller Cities
- Growing urban population: More than half of India’s urban population lives in cities with fewer than one million residents.
- Opportunity for planned expansion: Unlike larger cities, where retrofitting existing infrastructure is expensive and complex, smaller cities can incorporate climate considerations into new development.
- Future housing requirements: More than 50% of the housing required by 2070 is yet to be constructed. This provides an opportunity to adopt sustainable building practices.
- Preventing long-term vulnerabilities: Decisions relating to roads, drainage, buildings and public spaces can either lock cities into high energy consumption and climate vulnerability or create resilient neighbourhoods.
Key Climate Challenges Facing Indian Cities
- Urban Heat Island Effect
- Increasing building density, loss of green cover and urban expansion intensify urban heat.
- Rising temperatures increase demand for air conditioning and electricity.
- Poorly designed buildings further increase cooling requirements.
- Urban flooding
- Unplanned urbanization and inadequate drainage systems increase flood vulnerability.
- Land-use changes and the loss of natural drainage channels affect the capacity of cities to absorb excess rainfall.
- Rising Energy Demand
- Increasing temperatures lead to greater dependence on mechanical cooling.
- Energy-intensive cooling systems increase electricity consumption and emissions.
- Infrastructure-Related vulnerabilities
- Roads, buildings, drainage systems and public spaces are often developed without adequate consideration of climate risks.
- Decisions taken during the early stages of urban expansion can create long-term environmental and economic costs.
How can smaller cities lead climate-resilient development?
- Integrating climate considerations into urban planning
- Climate considerations should become part of master plans, project appraisal and public investment decisions.
- Urban development authorities should incorporate climate risks while approving infrastructure projects.
- Climate-Sensitive building regulations
- Promote energy-efficient building designs, natural ventilation and thermal comfort.
- Encourage green buildings and energy-efficient construction materials.
- Adopt building regulations that reduce cooling demand.
- Improving urban green cover
- Protect urban forests, water bodies and green spaces.
- Promote tree plantations and green corridors to reduce heat exposure.
- Integrate nature-based solutions into urban infrastructure.
- Sustainable mobility and public spaces
- Promote walking, cycling and accessible public transport.
- Design pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods.
- Improve public spaces to reduce dependence on energy-intensive transport and infrastructure.
- Strengthening institutional coordination
- Urban development authorities, public works departments, municipal bodies and utility providers should coordinate their activities.
- Climate considerations must be integrated into routine planning, project implementation and investment decisions.
Government Initiatives and Policy Frmaework
| Initiative | Significance |
|---|---|
| National Mission on Sustainable Habitat | Promotes sustainable urban planning, energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable transport. |
| Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) | India’s strategy submitted to the UNFCCC provides a framework for integrating climate considerations into development. |
| Urban Flood Risk Management Programme | Covers 18 cities and supports measures to reduce urban flood risks. |
| Heat as a Notified Disaster | Enables the use of disaster-related funds for heat-risk management and resilience measures. |
| India Cooling Action Plan | Promotes sustainable cooling, energy efficiency and reduced cooling demand. |
Financing Climate-Resilient Urban Development
- Climate-resilient development does not always require a separate funding mechanism.
- Cities can mobilize existing financial resources more effectively.
- Important financing mechanisms include;
- Municipal revenues: Allocate existing municipal resources towards climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Government transfers and grants: Utilise central and state government transfers and scheme-based grants.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Encourage corporate participation in local climate-resilience projects.
- Impact investment: Mobilise private investment for projects that generate measurable environmental and social benefits.
- Development finance: Use development finance to support pilot projects and generate evidence for scaling up successful interventions.
Role of Data and Local Knowledge
- Spatial data and climate-risk assessments can identify areas vulnerable to heatwaves and flooding.
- Scenario modelling can help urban authorities anticipate future climate risks.
- Local knowledge and people’s lived experiences are essential for identifying vulnerabilities that technical assessments may overlook.
- Understanding how people walk, commute and use public spaces can help cities develop low-carbon and climate-resilient neighbourhoods.
Way Forward and Conclusion
Climate resilient should be integrated into urban planning, infrastructure and building regulations, particularly in smaller cities. Strengthening local governance, promoting nature-based solutions, improving climate finance and combining scientific assessments with local knowledge are essential.
Smaller cities can avoid unplanned urbanization by adopting climate-resilient planning and building low-carbon, inclusive and sustainable urban environments.
Daily Current Affairs: Click Here