The document discusses the challenges and opportunities of urbanization in India, highlighting significant statistics such as a 31.16% urban population in 2011 and a projected requirement of Rs. 39,200 billion for urban infrastructure over 20 years. Various initiatives, including the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and a focus on sustainable urban planning, aim to improve governance and infrastructure. The document emphasizes the necessity for inclusive and smart city strategies, along with collaboration among urban stakeholders.

1. URBAN CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA
Conference on Future Cities
New Delhi
Feb. 24-25, 2014
Chetan Vaidya
Director SPA New Delhi
Organized by
MHRD. IIT Roorkee, and UK

2. URBAN INDIA POPULATION TRENDS
 Total Urban Population in 2011 : 377.2 million
 % Urban Population to total in 2011: 31.16% (50+% in 2050):
 No. Urban Centers: 7500, Million plus cities: 54
 Large number of non-municipal towns
 % GDP in urban Areas: 70%
 % of Urban Poor: 29.8% (76.47 Million in 2009-10)
 Urban Infrastructure Investment Requirement: Rs. 39200 billion (US$
871.11 billion) for 20 years
 Large variation among Sates
 India needs to improve its urban infrastructure and governance to achieve
economic objectives

3. Several initiatives to improve urban governance and Infrastructure:
– JNNURM- reform linked investment program
– Public Private Partnership
– e-Governance in Municipalities
– Market Based Financing
– Urban Transport Policy
– National Urban Sanitation Policy
– Service Level Benchmarking Program
– Rajiv Awas Yojana (Slum Free City)
– 13th
CFC
URBAN INITIATIVES IN INDIA

4.  JNNURM Mission provides Reform Linked Investment for Urban
Infrastructure for cities undertaking reforms (2005-14)
• Constraints
– Absence of Long-Term City-Level Planning
– Inadequate Staff Capacity (at Central, State and Local Levels as well as
private)
– Inadequate Project Identification, Planning and Implementation
– One size fit all cities and states approach not working
– Critical Reforms not understood and implemented
– Inadequate Communication
 It brought focus on urban infrastructure and Governance
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission (JNNURM)
4

5. 5
• Need Sustainable, Inclusive and Smart cities.
• Mayor has executive powers for managing and planning cities. Improved
revenue base of local bodies with unlocking of land values.
• Focus on public urban transport and not individual transport.
• Spaces for cycling and walking.
• Land use plans are to be integrated with public transport and with high
density, higher floor space and mixed land use.
• Slum upgradtion and not new housing for poor.
• Affordable housing through market systems
• Extensive use of Communication Information and Technology (ICT) Smart
City
STRATEGY

6. 6
• Knowledge Sharing
• Technology for Urban Infrastructure-Project Planning,
Implementation and Maintenance
• Urban Planning and Design
• Role of Private Sector Participation in Delivery of
Services
• Urban Transport
• Smart City Options
• Capacity Building
POSSIBLE LINKAGES WITH UK INSTITUTIONS

7. CONCLUSIOINS
Urbanization is Inevitable in India
Urban India offers a number of Challenges and
Opportunities for Employment Generation
The Urban Problems are Surmountable
We need Sustainable, Inclusive and Smart Urban
Planning
Need Knowledge Sharing and Partnerships among
Urban Stakeholders to Learn from Each Other
7

8. c.vaidya@spa.ac.in
THANK YOU