The world now lives in
cities. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report
released recently, the world population has decisively turned urban.
About 3.3 billion people live in urban areas and by 2030 that would
increase to about 5 billion. This amounts to more than half of the
world’s population. The level of urbanisation in India, in comparison,
appears much lower. Urban India accounts for about 30 per cent of the
total population and its share i s expected to rise to about 40 per
cent by 2030. However, the absolute numbers tell quite a different
story. At present, the urban population is about 300 million and it is
expected to reach 590 million by 2030. Indian cities cannot take
comfort from the U.N.’s observation that urbanisation is a positive
feature and cities offer the best opportunity to escape poverty. Urban
poverty, housing deficit, poor quality of city planning, and weak
governance are challenges to be addressed. As of now, the list of
unfinished and unattended urban agenda in India is long and daunting.
By 2015, about $90 billion needs to be invested in urban infrastructure
excluding metro railway projects. But what would be available, on the
basis of 2004 figures and projections, is only $10 billion. The
national transport policy stresses the need for large investments in
public transportation and the need to establish metropolitan
authorities that will integrate different modes of transport and
promote sustainable options. This still remains a far cry. In spite of
a national slum policy and housing policies being in place, the housing
deficit in Indian cities is on the rise. In 2007, the housing shortage
was about 24 million units and it is expected to touch 26 million by
2012. About 99 per cent of this deficit pertains to lower income
groups. The UNFPA report identifies urban governance as the key
challenge in planning for quality cities. This appears to be one of the
weaker links in the Indian urban context. The Constitution, through its
amendments, has devolved more powers to local bodies, but they are yet
to be empowered in full. Their capacity needs to be built and financial
powers strengthened before we can expect them to adopt best practices
in governance. Such issues are even more pressing in smaller cities,
which are expected to take most of the growing urban population.
Urbanisation may be inevitable but whether it will turn into a positive
force or an environmental and social disaster depends on how quickly we
put plans and governance in place.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/04/stories/2008030454810800.htm
Copyright
© 2008, The Hindu.
