For centuries, the move towards urban settlements has been driven by the logic of progress. The move to cities and towns is associated with higher productivity gains, access to civic amenities and overall social security and profit making. This however, does not mean that cities develop in a pre-destined fashion. For a growing number of modern cities, the intersection between technology, globalisation and policy create forces that shape them. These forces can be strong or weak depending on the governance structures in place and the focus on urban development, planning and infrastructure and services.
Urbanisation in the context of developing countries with large populations such as India is a key area of study and is often not given due recognition or attention. The failure by successive governments to ensure basic infrastructure and support systems in the urban agglomerations in this country; has been well documented and need not be repeated here. With the global population reaching 7 billion just last week, and developing countries being the primary drivers of that population growth the role that cities play in a country’s socio economic transformation is significant. At the same time the rapid influx of people is causing very visible strains on already fragile ecosystems that exist in urban areas.
This pace of movement to cities in India is unprecedented, and is on a scale, that outside of China has not been witnessed by any other part of the world. In India, about 30% of the population lives in cities, and this number is estimated to grow considerably over the next two decades. What is also often termed to be a demographic dividend – with an estimated 180 million job seekers to enter the workforce over the next two decades, could potentially turn into a mismanagement nightmare. Despite the fact that urbanization is not a new phenomenon for policymakers to grapple with, India has not been able to engage coherently with the reality of its urban future.
In order to highlight the challenges and solutions to the problems that are at hand, both in India and in other countries that try to ensure sustainable socio-economic growth I will address five key concerns here. These themes cover a broad spectrum of urbanisation issues that delve into the very core of the overarching human security narrative that will define the development and growth trajectories for developing countries over the next few decades.
The first concern – urban governance and participation, deals with the response mechanisms in place to address the challenges of urbanisation in developed countries. While highlighting the challenges and imperatives for governance, the focus on innovation – both within governance structures and outside should be constant. This should include assessing the role of civil society and the private sector as part of inclusive governance mechanisms.
The second concern is energy consumption and urban emissions - the imperatives for developing alternate patterns for energy use, and appropriate response mechanisms. With climate change and resource scarcity being the central drivers of diversification away from traditional sources of energy and existing energy use patterns, the questions that emerge are how alternative energy options are going to be created, facilitated and maintained, while ensuring equitable distribution and usage.
Urban design is the third concern, and is perhaps the most consistently ignored theme in the context of urban planning and development in India. The concept of efficient allocation of space simply does not exist in many of the urban agglomerations here, whereas it is an essential prerequisite while considering the sheer number of people that are living and migrating to these centres. While the efficient distribution and allocation of living space in maintaining a harmonious and stable support system in the form of infrastructure and services is a challenge in itself, addressing equity concerns and ensuring that areas and communities within cities are not marginalized is an important prerogative especially in developing countries.
An equitable, sustainable city cannot be talked about sensibly without considering urban transport and mobility – the fourth concern. Increasing populations in cities and towns, require access and mobility to realize any productivity gains that arise from living in urban areas. With the proliferation of roads and highways, and an existing pre-dominant focus on urban transport by road, governments especially in large cities in developing countries are confronted with complex challenges of improving mobility while ensuring low carbon growth and overall sustainability. Integrated transport models, and innovative technological solutions are necessary for sustaining the phenomenal pressures on urban spaces, resources and environments.
The final concern is urban exclusion – the perceived “rights” to cities and towns. In essence this last concern is distinctly visible in all of the other concerns discussed here. Exploring inclusive policy options and governance mechanisms, to ensure a democratic allocation of public infrastructure, services and support mechanisms is crucial in this regard.
Urban centres in India are veritable microcosms of the entire country – with a diverse mix of communities, cultures and income classes ranging from the marginalized classes to the expanding middle class which is the primary driver of consumption and economic growth. The way that the various sections of society interact with each other, and perceive each other’s spaces and priorities, would be an essential ingredient in India’s growth story and I am sure this would be mirrored across other developing nations across the world. Therefore the creation, facilitation and management of different areas and sections of society are immediate areas of concern and policymakers will need to recognize this through proactive governance and a renewed focus on overall urban development.
As civilizations expand, and average lifespan increases, the threats to human security also increase and diversify. While cities in the developing world are projected to become key drivers of global economic growth going forward, the transformation potential cannot be realised without sustained efforts by all stakeholders involved – governments, private sector, civil society and even at the level of the individual (where responsibility is rarely taken in countries like India).We are all part of the urban ecosystem, and the solutions to the myriad problems that confront us, will eventually be found only when we realise our inherent potential to contribute and respond to the best of our capacities. Responding to the challenges of urbanisation is a shared concern and a collective responsibility.
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