The document discusses the complexities of urban environments, focusing on the challenges of sustainability and equity in rapidly urbanizing areas. It highlights issues like transport congestion, housing inequality, and environmental degradation while examining the impact of urbanization on the quality of life and social structures. The analysis includes statistical data, particularly concerning India's urban landscapes and proposes solutions for developing sustainable and equitable urban spaces.

1. Urban Environments
Their Sustainability and Equity
An Overview
Dr. Manojkumar P. Devne
S. P. College
Pune - 30

2. For the first time in human history the majority of the world’s
population now live in cities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/world/2006/urbanisation/default.stm
We are modifying huge areas of land, not just for cities, but also for the
agricultural land, quarrying for building materials, energy resources
which are supplied to these cities.
The ecological
footprint of cities is far bigger than their land area.
We are truly in the
Anthropocene Age.

3. World Urbanisation
The word civilisation comes from the latin civis meaning citizen of a city.
•Complex societies with, division of labour and social hierarchy tend to establish permanent
settlements.
•Settlements are places where people live.
•They are created by us.
•They reflect our culture, our beliefs, our values.
•They range in size from small farmsteads to a metropolis with millions of inhabitants
•We could create perfect urban environments
combination of many factors, planned /
unplanned, sometimes conflicting, always changing.
•But urban environments develop through a

4. Urbanisation in MEDCs
• Urbanisation means an increase in the proportion of people
living in urban areas compared to rural areas. An urban area is
a built-up area such as a town or city. A rural area is an area of
countryside.
• As a country industrialises, the number of people living in
urban areas tends to increase. The UK and many other MEDCs
urbanised during the 18th and 19th centuries. People
migrated from rural areas (due to the mechanisation in
farming) to urban areas where there was employment in the
new factories. The area of cities known as the inner city
developed during this time as rows of terraced housing were
built for workers.

5. • Urbanisation is most rapid in cities in LEDCs.
• Cities like Dhaka in Bangladesh, Delhi in India
and Lagos in Nigeria are getting bigger with
rapidly growing populations.
• The number of MEGA CITIES (pop over 10
million) is increasing.

6. World Patterns of Urbanisation
LOS ANGELES
SYDNEY
TOKYO
DELHI
RIO DE JANEIRO
LONDON
Shanghai
Amsterdam
NEWYORK
MUMBAI
• European
• American
• Asian
•Shanghai and Beijing Primate Latin the numberthe cars to Hassold eveythe countries of Japan
Australian haveiscapped American citiesworld. be 25% of thepopulation population
Tokyo, reclaiming space of thecare to make25%itof the largest UA in India.safer.
the population of about 18.4 million, is year. Public spaces
largest city in of constitute pedestrian and
Australia has 95% from population in Urban Census 2011 (Provisional)
areas.
With
Beijing allows New York is v/s ademand for 1515000, if approved will35% bicycle ridership
240000Population of Delhi UA is 16.3 million persons inbring the city to standstill
cars
Amsterdam and Copenhagen
Six 1951 make up 90% of Australian continent.
Has GROWTH’? public UA’s population was only 3.2 million.
the highest
In
•IS Latin Americancitiestheof Mughal,ridership and 38% & Architecture
Modern
THIS ‘LIMITS TO A combination transport Colonial

8. Urban system with a linear metabolism

9. Urban system with a Circular Metabolism

10. Questions to be Answered
What is the Environmental
Urbanisation?
Impact
of
increased
Can cities be Sustainable? (live in a way which satisfies our
needs but does not compromise future generations
ability to meet their needs)
Do cities satisfy peoples needs and wants?
 Are people happier living in cities or the countryside?
Is there an optimum size for a city?
What is the impact of primate mega cities?
Can urban processes be controlled or managed?
What is the future for the urban poor?

11. Urbanisation
A growth in the percentage of people living in urban areas.
Suburbanization
As urban areas grow problems develop –
These problems drive people away from the traditional inner city locations to the
suburbs – the early stages of urban sprawl.
Counter-Urbanisation
Of course, as more and more people move to the suburbs similar problems develop –
lack of space, traffic, etc. This pushes people into the rural-urban fringe, and beyond
into satellite settlements.
Such growth often takes place on what are termed green-field sites.
Re-urbanisation
As older areas of the city (often called brown-field sites) get regenerated, redeveloped
or renewed people move back into urban areas.

12. URBANISM
URBANISM
URBANISATION
• Sociological study of life and
human
interaction
in
metropolitan areas.
• Moreover it studies the role
of cities in role of
development of society.
• A phenomenon of people
moving from rural areas
towards urban cities.
• It studies the significance of
migration and the reasons
acting behind it.

13. …. The Indian Experience

14. Definitions
• Statutory Towns: All places with a municipality, corporation,
cantonment board, notified town area committee, etc.
• Census Towns: All villages with a minimum population of 5,000
persons in the preceding Census, at least 75% of male main working
population engaged in non-agricultural activities and a population
density of at least 400 persons per sq km.
• Urban Agglomerations (UAs):A continuous urban spread comprising
one or more towns and their adjoining out growth(s)
• Out Growths (OGs): Areas around a core city or town, such well
recognized places, like, Railway colony, university campus, port
area, etc., lying outside the limit of town.
Source: Information cited in this presentation are from Paper 2, India - Census of India 2011 (Provisional) & Primary Census
Abstract - India -Census of India 2001

15. Number of UAs/Towns and OGs in India
1. Towns:
7,935
5,161
(a) Statutory Towns
4,041
3,799
(b) Census Towns
3,894
1,362
2. Urban Agglomerations
475
384
3. Out Growths (OGs)
981
953

16. URBAN AREAS
INDIA : 2011 (Provisional)
• 377 million persons live in the urban areas of the
country, constituting 31.16% of total population
• Maharashtra has the largest urban population
(50,827,531 persons)
• NCT Delhi has the largest proportion of urban
population (97.50%)
• Only seven States/UTs have more population living in
urban areas than in rural areas. These are: NCT Delhi,
Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Puducherry,
Goa and Mizoram.

17. DATA PROFILE - URBAN AREAS
INDIA : 2011 (Provisional)
Indicator
Population (in million)
Sex ratio
Population (0-6) (in million)
Sex ratio (0-6)
Literacy rate
(above 6 yrs) (in %):
Persons
Males
Females
2011 Census
2001 Census
(Provisional)
377.1
286.1
936
900
41.2
37.3
902
906
84.98
89.67
79.92
79.92
86.27
72.86

18. VARIATION IN URBAN POPULATION (%)
- INDIA
55
1901-2011
45
35
25
15
5
-5
Total
Rural
Urban

19. URBAN AGGLOMERATIONS
INDIA : 2011 (Provisional)
• Number of Urban Agglomerations (UAs) In India is
475 in Census 2011. In comparison there were 384
UAs in Census 2001.
• Largest five UAs in India:
• Greater Mumbai UA
18.4 million
• Delhi UA
16.3 million
• Kolkata UA
14.1 million
• Chennai UA
8.7 million
• Bangalore UA
8.5 million

20. MILLION PLUS UAs/CITIES
INDIA : 2011 (Provisional)
• 53 Million Plus UAs/Cities in India with population of one
million or more. In Census 2001 the number was 35.
• Distribution of Million Plus UAs/Cities:
• Uttar Pradesh, Kerala
7 each
• Maharashtra
6
• Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat
4 each
and Tamil Nadu
• Rajasthan, Jharkhand
3 each
and Andhra Pradesh
• Punjab, West Bengal
2 each
and Chhattisgarh
• J&K, Chandigarh, Haryana,
1 each
NCT Delhi, Bihar and Karnataka (Primate)

21. Mega UAs/Cities
• Three megacities in India as per Census 2011
(Provisional) with 10 million or more
population
• These are:
• Greater Mumbai UA 18.4 million
• Delhi UA
• Kolkata UA
16.3 million
14.1 million

22. Impacts of rapid growth on cities
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Size of city
Population structure of the city
Housing
Employment
Transport
Sanitation and Health
Waste disposal
Energy
Services (Schools and Hospitals)
Social problems (crime)

23. Problems of Urbanisation
• Urbanisation can cause problems such as transport congestion, lack
of sufficient housing, over-rapid growth and environmental
degradation. Many cities display particularly sharp inequalities in
housing provision, health and employment.
• Some people try to escape these problems by moving away from the
city - a process called counter-urbanisation. Long term, however, the
solution must be to make cities more sustainable.

24. Problems in the CBD
• As more people move to the edge of towns
and cities, traffic congestion may get worse.
Many people will drive their cars into the city
centre to get to work.
• It is compounded by people being brought
into city on large roads or motorways. These
roads
then
link
up
with
smaller, older, narrower roads in the city
centre. This causes a bottleneck and
congestion.

25. • Some cities have tried to manage this problem by
introducing traffic management schemes. These
schemes may include: (some practiced in India)
– Park and ride schemes.
– Cycle lanes. (Bengaluru)
– Congestion charging schemes, such as those in Durham
and London.
– Car-pooling, as used in the USA, to encourage people to
share cars.
– Integrated Traffic Systems (Pune ...proposed)
– Low Emission Zones, as in London.
• Local councils have also tried to make the roads in
urban areas safer by introducing traffic
calming, pedestrian zones, vehicle-exclusion zones
and permit-only parking schemes.

26. Reducing congestions in cities:
• Park and ride scheme: People park in car parks on
the edge of a settlement and catch regular buses into
the centre. (Navi Mumbai)
• Pedestrian areas: Pedestrianised areas are
designated as pedestrian only zones.
• Permit holder parking: This means that people must
have a permit to park in that area. This reduces the
number of people driving into towns and cities as
parking opportunities are restricted.

27. Reducing congestions in cities:
• Vehicle exclusion zones: certain types of vehicles are
excluded from certain parts of a city, eg large vehicles
may not be allowed to enter narrow roads or
residential areas.
• Car pooling: people are encouraged to share cars.
This has been used in a lot in the USA.
• Traffic calming: roads narrowing and speed bumps
make traffic move slower around narrower streets.
Narrow roads may restrict the type of vehicle that
can enter certain parts of the city.

28. More Problems in CBD
• Another recent problem that we find in the
CBD is the City Centre Retailing Decline: as
Out-of-town shopping centres have become
more common, shops in the CBD have had to
close down. This have left a “hollow” or empty
area called the “Doughnut (Polo)effect” which
makes unemployment to rise and can lead to
neighbourhoods degradation.

29. Problems in the inner city
• Inequalities exist in all urban areas. Inequality
means extreme differences between poverty
and wealth, as well as in people's well-being
and access to things like jobs, housing, and
education. Inequalities may occur in:
– Housing provision
– Access to services
– Access to open land
– Safety and Security
– Sanitation (LEDCs)

30. • Often people who live in inner-city areas experience a poor
quality of life. This is because the inner-city is typically a zone
with older housing and declining industry.
• Governments and planners often step in to help redevelop
run-down inner-city areas. Inner-city redevelopments may
improve the physical environment of the area and improve
the quality of housing.
• However, it can also create even greater inequalities because
the local residents may not be able to afford to live there
anymore. Often the old industrial jobs are replaced by skilled
jobs and new people move to the area.

31. Problems in the urban rural fringe:
• Social and demographic changes are leading to a
greater demand for housing. People are living
longer, and choosing to marry later, and in recent years
there has been a rise in the number of single-parent
families. Added to this, Europe/America are
experiencing immigration from other countries.
• The result is an ever-larger number of smaller
households, all requiring accommodation.
• Building new affordable homes in urban areas is
difficult. Land values are very high and land is in short
supply.

32. To solve this problem:
• A. Some developers are building on sites that
have been built on before. These are called
brownfield sites (example: Inner City)
• B. Other developers are building homes on
the edge of the city on greenfield sites in the
urban rural fringe. Land here is cheaper but
greenfield development can cause conflict
with local people and create environmental
problems.

33. Sustainable Cities:
• Many people are working towards trying to make cities more
sustainable. A sustainable city is that city which offers a good
quality of life to current residents but doesn’t reduce the
opportunities for future residents to enjoy.
• A sustainable city will grow at a sustainable rate and use
resources in a sustainable way.

34. Key Features of a sustainable city:
• Resources and services in the city are accessible to
all.
• Public transport is seen as a viable alternative to
cars.
• Public transport is safe and reliable.
• Walking and cycling is safe.
• Areas of open space are safe, accessible and
enjoyable.
• Wherever possible, renewable resources are used
instead of non-renewable resources.

35. Key Features of a sustainable city:
• Waste is seen as a resource and is recycled wherever
possible.
• New homes are energy efficient.
• There is access to affordable (cost, operational
, transportational) housing.
• Community links are strong and communities work
together to deal with issues such as crime and
security.
• Cultural and social amenities are accessible to all.
• Inward investment is made to the CBD.

36. Transport : The future of Sustainability
Urban region is an Integrated System through the
quality of its Transport.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Size of city
Housing
Population structure of the city
Employment
Waste Disposal (Solid)
Services (schools and Hospitals)
Social problems (crime)
Pollution

37. Urban densities and private transport

38. Pune – 18 Buses
per 100,000 pop.

39. Public Transport Systems
•
•
•
•
•
•
Feasibility
Economy
Environment
Ownership
Sustainability
Safety

40. • Congestion
(Cattle Class)

41. Innovations in Transportation and
Systems
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Metro
Monorail
Suburban Railway
Bus Rapid Transport System
Integrated Traffic Systems
Curbing Emissions
Encourage Walking and Cycling
Public Private Participation in Operations and
Evaluation and Regulation

42. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM)
•
•
•
•
•
•
2005-06
1 lakh Cr - !st _Phase
31 states
65 cities
2060 – Population to stabilise at 160 Cr, 60% (100Cr) urban
Problems – Land acquisitions, Public agitations,
changes in Sites, Encroachments, delay in
acquiring, Statutory clearances- Railways,
Environment, Defense, Forests (Ministries) &
Departments.
• Delays – Court cases, Rehabilitation, Monsoon.
• Gap Funding
• Coordination – Centre, State, Local Bodies
Utility

43. The Issue of Pedestrians…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
More than 100 pedestrians die every year in attempting to cross roads
Jaywalking - 1920s
Pedestrian facilities have not kept up
pace with motor vehicle numbers.
Large roads converted into one ways
result into overspeeding and lane cutting.
In the hierarchy of road users, pedestrians
have been pushed to the bottom of the rung.
Obstacles on foothpaths – garbage bins,
DP boxes, poles, gantry columns, signages,
slippery surfaces,encroachment by
shopkeepers and hawkers.
Poor illumination, broken –not continous, poorely (unevenly) surfaced
Citizens (??) have become mentally conditioned.
Campaigning for pedestrian rights…
1/3rd of the traffic accident fatalities involve pedestrians.

44. Solution…?
• Skywalks..?

45. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Urban Equity : In Transportation
Geographical Rights
Urban Social Systems
Poor
Pedestrians/Cyclists
Children/ unescorted school going
Women
Senior Citizens
Tourists and first time comers
Physically Challenged
Visually Challenged
Unless this happens….

46. and…. ‘WE’
• Realise : That man is ‘MORTAL’,
Resources are ‘finite’,
There are ‘Limits to Growth’
• Put the ‘HUMAN’ ego aside
• Accept that, we are at fault
• Practice and imbibe ethics
• And let common sense and logic prevail….
…We are staring at a colossal disaster….

47. Thank You
Dr.Manojkumar P. Devne
manojdevne10@hotmail.com
+91 9422 3535 25