India's G20 presidency theme, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' emphasizes universal kinship and sustainable development, aiming to promote environmentally responsible choices for a sustainable future. The G20 New Delhi leaders' declaration prioritizes innovative urban financing, inclusive cities, quality infrastructure, disaster risk reduction, and energy efficiency to address urban challenges. Sustainable urban planning is highlighted as a means to balance economic growth and social equity while fostering resilient and inclusive communities.

1. India's G20 Presidency: A Vision for a Sustainable
Future
"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - One Earth · One Family ·
One Future
The theme chosen for India’s G20 Presidency is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” a phrase derived from the
ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. This theme, translated as “One Earth · One Family · One
Future,” embodies the idea of universal kinship.
It underscores the intrinsic value of all life forms—human, animal, plant, and even microorganisms—
and highlights their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the broader cosmos.
At its core, this theme champions the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, which promotes
environmentally sustainable and responsible choices.
These choices span individual lifestyles and national development trajectories, with the ultimate goal of
catalyzing global transformation towards a cleaner, greener, and bluer future.

2. G20 Summit Insights Development
The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration outlines the group’s priorities and commitments on a range of economic,
social, and environmental issues. Key highlights include:
1.Financing Cities of Tomorrow: The declaration presents a financing strategy and a compendium of innovative
urban planning and financing models. It encourages stakeholders, including Development Financial Institutions
and the MDBs, to explore the potential of these principles in their planning and financing of urban infrastructure.
2.Inclusive Cities: The declaration outlines enablers of inclusive cities. It also mentions the customisable
G20/ADB Framework on Capacity Building of Urban Administration, which is intended to guide local governments
in assessing and enhancing their institutional capacity for effective public service delivery.
3.Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) Indicators: The declaration notes the ongoing pilot application of
these voluntary and non-binding indicators, which could potentially guide urban development.
4.Disaster Risk Reduction: The G20 Presidency has initiated efforts on disaster risk reduction, which is crucial
for building resilient urban environments.
5.Lifestyles for Sustainable Development: The declaration acknowledges the role of sustainable lifestyles in
climate action, which can directly impact urban development and planning.
6.Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-Based Economy: As part of the environmental considerations, the
declaration lists a set of high-level principles for building a sustainable and resilient blue/ocean-based economy.

5. Green Infrastructure and Open areas:
Integrating green infrastructure and open areas is important for sustainable urban planning. This involves
maintaining and building parks, urban woods, green roofs, and other green areas that provide numerous benefits,
including better air quality, temperature control, stormwater management, and leisure opportunities. The piece
addresses the value of incorporating nature into urban environments to improve biodiversity, support well-being, and
build resilient cities.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
Cities make for a large part of world energy usage. Therefore, supporting energy economy and utilizing renewable
energy sources is important for sustainable urban planning. This part discusses tactics such as promoting energy-
efficient building design, incentivizing renewable energy installations, adopting smart grids, and encouraging energy
conservation practices. By reducing energy demand and transitioning to clean energy, towns can greatly help to
mitigating climate change and lowering environmental effect.
Social Equity and Community involvement:
Sustainable urban planning should promote social equity and community involvement. This includes providing
affordable homes, accessible public services, and equitable division of resources. The piece discusses the
importance of involving local communities in the planning process, supporting democratic decision-making, and
solving social gaps to build inclusive cities that cater to the needs of all people.

6. Conclusion:
Sustainable urban planning is a complex effort that requires a balanced approach,
considering environmental, social, and economic factors. By adopting strategies such
as compact and mixed-use development, sustainable transportation systems, green
infrastructure, energy efficiency, and social justice, cities can change into lively,
resilient, and sustainable urban centers. The article highlights the importance of
teamwork among urban planners, lawmakers, community leaders, and citizens to build
cities that value sustainability, safety, and efficient resource usage, eventually creating
a better future for all.

7. Safe and affordable housing
Affordable and sustainable transport systems
Inclusive and sustainable urbanization
Protect the world's cultural and natural heritage
Reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters
Reduce the environmental impacts of cities
: Provide access to safe and inclusive green and
public spaces
: Strong national and regional development planning
Implement policies for inclusion, resource efficiency
and disaster risk reduction
Support least developed countries in sustainable and
resilient building[edit]

8. The world is developing at an unprecedented scale.
Over the next 20 years, urban population in developing countries will double to 4 billion, while the urbanized
land area will triple. Rapid growth helps create new opportunities, but it has also brought serious social,
economic, and environmental challenges.
Today, 1 billion people live in urban slums, and 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by repeated cycles
of violence. In the past decade, the number of people affected by natural disasters tripled to 2 billion. Low-
income countries have accounted for only 9% of the disaster events but 48% of fatalities since 1980. The
burden of disasters, conflict, crime, and violence falls disproportionately on the poor.
Urban and rural communities around the world increasingly feel the urge to tackle these challenges and
increase their resilience to poverty and inequality, social exclusion, violence and fragility, as well as climate
change and disaster risks. Building sustainable communities—whether they are villages, cities, or countries
and societies at large—will be critical to eliminating poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

9. Specifically, the concept of “Sustainable Cities and Communities” of the World Bank’s Urban, Disaster
Risk Management, Resilience and Land Global Practice (GPURL) includes four key dimensions:
•First, Sustainable Communities are environmentally sustainable in terms of cleanliness and efficiency.
•Second, Sustainable communities are resilient to social, economic, and natural shocks.
•They are well prepared for natural disasters, which are increasing in intensity and frequency due to climate
change.
•Third, Sustainable Communities are inclusive communities. They bring all dimensions of society and all
groups of people—including the marginalized and vulnerable—into their markets, their services, and their
development.
•And finally, Sustainable Communities are competitive communities that can stay productive and generate
jobs for members of the community.
Building inclusive, resilient, competitive and sustainable cities and communities is essential for achieving
the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared
prosperity at the local, regional, and national levels.

11. A sustainable city should promote economic growth and meet the basic needs of its inhabitants, while creating
sustainable living conditions for all.
"improving the quality of life in a city, including ecological,
cultural, political, institutional, social and economic
components without leaving a burden on future generations”
Meeting the needs of current and future generations while
maintaining the stability, prosperity and equity of the region’s
economic, environmental and social systems.
Attaining a balance between economic prosperity,
environmental vitality, and social equity that maintains the
quality of life for current and future generations.

12. SUSTAINABLE CITY
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
Minimum ecological disruption, practice conservation, maintain a constant population
TRADITIONAL CITY
Contemporary pattern of world urbanization = un sustainable

13. Throughout the world, people want the same
things: access to clean air and water; economic
opportunities; a safe and healthy place to raise
their kids; shelter; lifelong learning; a sense of
community; and the ability to have a say in the
decisions that affect their lives.
A sustainable community takes into account, and
addresses, multiple human needs, not just one at the
exclusion of all others. It is a place where people of
diverse backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome and
safe, where every group has a seat at the decision-
making table, and where prosperity is shared.
It takes a long-term perspective – focusing on anticipating
and adapting to change in both the present and future.

14. Traditional model of
Sustainable communities
Contemporary model of
Sustainable communities

15. Eg- Auroville , India

17. Location
•Madhya Pradesh state in India
About Indore
Indore is a city located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh
The city has implemented several initiatives to promote sustainable practices and
maintain a clean and green environment. Encouraging usage of electric vehicles,
solar energy, and a robust waste management system makes it one of the
most eco-friendly cities globally.
With its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant food scene, Indore is a city that
offers a unique blend of traditional and modern experiences.
What makes Indore an eco-friendly city?
waste management system
plants that convert waste into biofuel, and it has helped the city council earn over ₹8
Cr/annum (~$1 mn/annually).
•Indore has made efforts to improve public transportation and reduce traffic
congestion
•green initiatives have been implemented in the city
•The city has also introduced a unique concept of 'tree ambulance'; these are
vehicles equipped with all necessary facilities and will tend to sick and worm-
infested plants and trees.

18. "Sustainable community development is the ability to make development choices
which respect the relationship between the three "E's"-economy, ecology, and
equity:
Economy - Economic activity should serve the common good, be self-renewing, and build local assets and self-
reliance.
Ecology - Human are part of nature, nature has limits, and communities are responsible for protecting and
building natural assets.
Equity - The opportunity for full participation in all activities, benefits, and decision-making of a society."

19. https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/sustainable-communities-for-
safeguarding-future/92325091

20. SUSTAINABLE CITY
NOW
ECOLOGICAL CITY
1970s
GARDEN CITY
1900s

21. SUSTAINABLE LAND USE
OPTIMAL SITE
COST ACCOUNTING OF NATURE
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

22. Chandigarh
Chandigarh is one of the first planned cities of India. The urban infrastructure, in conjunction with the
protected greenery, makes it one of the top greenest cities in India.
Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and is the joint capital of
Punjab and Haryana; it has a forest and tree cover of 35.5 percent in its 114-sq km area, according to the
Forest Department of India.

23. Bhopal | Greenest Cities in India
In 1984, a massive chemical leak from a pesticide factory left Bhopal’s soil and water toxic and killed nearly
4,000 people.
The damage scarred the city’s memory. Bhopal is now one of the greenest cities of India and has been
largely successful in its attempt to re-establish its image. It is not just a prominent urban center; Bhopal has
preserved its forest heritage and has also developed itself as a commercial center.
The results are due to a mix of environmental awareness, implementation of laws, and the dedication of the
citizens of Bhopal to improving the city.

24. UJJAIN HAS MORE ROOM TO BREATHE
Ujjain is an ancient city and popular
pilgrimage site in Madhya Pradesh, a
central state of India.
The project proposed by Ujjain Smart City
Limited (USCL) aims at decongesting and
developing some of the most visited areas
of the city and enhancing their potential to
accommodate and engage both tourists
and residents in Ujjain.
Among other aspects, this project focuses
on strengthening roads and public
pathways as well as redeveloping the open
spaces in and around the Mahakal Temple,
Maharajwada Complex, and the Chota
Rudrasagar lake.

25. SURAT, FROM WASTELANDS TO BIODIVERSITY HUBS
The historical port city of Surat lies in the western state of Gujarat. In order to increase Surat’s green
cover and usable open spaces, the Surat Smart City Development Limited (SSCDL) proposed the
winning idea of turning the city’s wastelands into an attractive biodiversity park. Not only will this clean
up swathes of open spaces and turn them into flora and fauna habitats, but it will also provide a location
for a public park. Moreover, the project will create and connect ponds, and help in the regulation and
retention of rainwater.

26. SUSTAINABLE LAND USE
OPTIMAL SITE
COST ACCOUNTING OF NATURE
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

28. A sustainable community takes into account, and addresses, multiple human needs, not just one at
the exclusion of all others. It is a place where people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives feel
welcome and safe, where every group has a seat at the decision-making table, and where prosperity
is shared.

29. some of the local governments’ main functions, challenges and solutions related to the
urbanization process will be reviewed. Globally, the mandates of local governments are
rather similar. The following four mandates can be seen as a guideline for local
governments to develop innovative sustainable practices.
The mandate of providing public services
The mandate of planning, managing land and public
buildings
The mandate of procurement and Local Economic
Development