Smt Droupadi Murmu, On September 27, 2023, the epicentre of urban development discourse, the Smart Cities Conclave, took place in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The event was graced by the esteemed President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, whose insightful remarks set the tone for an invigorating discussion pertaining to India’s urban future.
Smt Droupadi Murmu’s Insight From India’s Smart Cities Conclave 2023
Navigating the Urban Future of India
The President emphasized the rapidly changing urban landscape that India is set to witness with more than 50 percent of the nation’s population projected to reside in urban areas by 2047. These cities are anticipated to contribute more than 80 percent to the GDP. As the burgeoning aspirations and needs of urban residents evolve, she underscored the necessity of proactive planning and implementation.
The President’s emphasis on proactive planning and implementation is a key directive for India’s urban future. With the rapid influx of people into cities, the need for well-structured urban policies, sustainable infrastructure, and efficient governance mechanisms is evident. Effective urban planning can lead to the creation of livable, vibrant, and inclusive cities that offer opportunities for all, while also addressing challenges like congestion, pollution, and social inequalities. This vision aligns with the global trend of sustainable urban development, recognizing that well-planned cities are essential for not only economic prosperity but also the overall well-being of their residents.
Climate Change and Urban Development
In line with global dialogues on sustainable development, climate change took centre-stage in the President’s address. Highlighting the Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework, launched for India’s 100 smart cities, she outlined its role in addressing climate change issues. The framework’s emphasis on green buildings and renewable energy for efficient city management hints towards a need for comprehensive strategies in sustainable development.
The framework’s emphasis on green buildings and renewable energy reflects a holistic approach to sustainable urban development. Green buildings, with their energy-efficient design and materials, help reduce carbon emissions while also enhancing the quality of life for urban residents. Similarly, investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power not only reduces the carbon footprint but also contributes to energy security and economic growth. The President’s address underscores the importance of integrating environmental and climate considerations into every facet of urban development, which is not only necessary for mitigating the effects of climate change but also for creating more livable and inclusive cities.
Climate Change: A Significant Determinant in Urban Development
Climate change is a substantial determinant in urban development processes. Rising temperatures, increasing precipitations, erratic weather patterns, and extreme disasters, both natural and anthropogenic, have profound implications on our urban landscapes. This is particularly concerning as urban areas, bestowed with high population density and economic activities, are more vulnerable to these climatic shifts, amplifying the necessity for resilient city planning.
Urban planners and policymakers are recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change in their development strategies. The need for resilient city planning is now more critical than ever. Such planning involves not only mitigating emissions and reducing the carbon footprint but also preparing cities to withstand and recover from the inevitable climate-related shocks. This includes investments in infrastructure that can endure extreme weather events, implementing green and sustainable building practices, and enhancing urban mobility to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Climate-resilient urban development is an integral part of ensuring the long-term prosperity and livability of cities while minimizing their environmental impact.
Climate Responsive Urban Development: A Multifaceted Approach
The development of climate-responsive cities necessitates a multi-pronged approach, infusing principles of climate resilience into every layer of urban planning. This can range from the design and orientation of buildings to enhance natural ventilation reducing reliance on artificial cooling, to developing green spaces that absorb CO2 emissions and mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect. Further, we have to ensure our infrastructure — transport, energy, water, and waste systems is resilient to extreme weather patterns. This includes reimagining our coasts and riverbanks with climate-buffering features to prevent flooding and designing drought-tolerant landscapes to conserve water.
Adaptation and Mitigation in Urban Planning: Towards Resilient Urban Spaces
Adaptation and mitigation stand as twin pillars in navigating the challenges posed by climate change in urban development. Adaptation measures focus on strengthening the capacity of our cities to withstand disasters and changing weather patterns while maximizing their functionality. As we pursue urban development, given the projected climate changes, strict mitigation tactics must be in place to reduce GHG emissions, particularly from our buildings, transport systems, and industries. By simultaneously implementing strategies for adaptation and mitigation, we can pave the road for resilient urban spaces, capable of weathering the storm of climate change.
Paving the Way for Sustainable Development
When discussing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), President Smt Droupadi Murmu narrowed her focus on SDG 11 – aimed at creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. She accentuated the significance of a holistic and inclusive approach towards urban planning and development.
The President’s call for a holistic and inclusive approach to urban planning and development is a critical directive in the pursuit of sustainable development. Holistic planning encompasses various dimensions, including environmental sustainability, economic viability, social equity, and resilience to climate change. It recognizes the interconnectedness of these elements and advocates for a balanced and integrated strategy that considers the long-term well-being of the urban population. An inclusive approach ensures that the benefits of urban development are extended to all, minimizing disparities and promoting social cohesion. This not only aligns with the principles of social justice but also enhances the overall quality of life within cities.
Learning and Collaborating: Key to Sustainable Urbanization
The President Smt Droupadi Murmu reaffirmed that the key to sustainable urban development lies in adopting effective city management models. To this end, she encouraged learning and collaboration at a local and global level. She cited the best-managed cities of the world to learn from, and shared India’s successful urban efforts to foster a spirit of international collaboration in the pursuit of overall and sustainable development.
Constructing Safe, Clean, and Healthy Neighborhoods
Shifting focus to the role of citizens, President Smt Droupadi Murmu stressed the importance of citizen responsibility. She drew attention to the necessity of proactive citizen participation and inter-departmental cooperation in tackling urban diseases like dengue and malaria to foster safe, clean, and healthy neighborhoods.
Bridging the Urban-Rural Disparities
In her closing remarks, the President emphasized the need for equitable access to health services, educational institutions, and basic facilities across urban and rural areas. This, she proclaimed, would not only alleviate pressure on urban infrastructure but also enrich the quality of rural life.
Emphasizing sustainable urban development, the President of India marked an important chapter in India’s urban development narrative, propelling its march towards a sustainable future.