India's Urban Surge Demands Localized Planning for 40 Crore New Residents
Ahmedabad hosted the 74th National Town & Country Planners Conference on Friday, organized by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), where experts issued a stark warning: India is poised to add 35 to 40 crore people to its urban areas in the coming decades. This unprecedented growth necessitates a fundamental shift in urban planning strategies to ensure quality of life, sustainability, and efficient city management.
Government Emphasizes People-Centric Design
K Srinivas, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), inaugurated the conference by highlighting urbanization as a positive economic force. He stressed that town planners are now key stakeholders in India's development narrative. "It is no longer enough to design cities in kilometres. There is a need to design locally, design for people and, most importantly, design for time," Srinivas asserted, urging a move away from broad, impersonal planning to tailored, time-sensitive solutions that prioritize human needs.
Call for Sustainable and Participatory Urban Development
Keshav Varma, an advisor on urban sector improvement to the Uttar Pradesh government, pointed to practical challenges in cities like Ahmedabad, where footpaths have been overtaken by parking and traffic congestion is rampant. "Business-as-usual planning created inefficient and unhealthy cities. The paradigm must shift to focus on quality of life, sustainability, green spaces, and people's participation," Varma emphasized. His remarks underscored the urgent need for inclusive planning that integrates environmental considerations and community input to foster healthier urban environments.
Regional Planning and Global Events in Focus
N K Patel, former president of ITPI, noted that Gujarat was hosting the national conference after 13 years, with Ahmedabad's selection as the host city for the Commonwealth Games 2030 adding significance. ITPI President Pradeep Kapoor reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts, stating, "No city can develop in isolation. Regional planning must take centre stage if we are to manage rapid urbanization, especially as India approaches 40% urbanization before 2030." This highlights the critical role of integrated regional strategies in addressing the scale of urban expansion.
The conference concluded with a consensus that as India urbanizes rapidly, planners must adopt innovative, localized approaches to create cities that are not only economically vibrant but also livable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of their burgeoning populations.
