Mains: GS1 – population and associated issues | urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
GS2 – Governance | Devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
GS3 - Disaster management
Recently, the World Bank has released a report titled Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India estimating Indian cities will require $2.4 trillion by 2050 to build climate-resilient infrastructure and services.
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Report |
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Increase in population growth – The country’s urban population will nearly double to 951 million by 2050
Job creation – Cities will account for 70 % of all new employment generated 2030.
Increase in flood risk – Climate change and urbanization patterns are the main drivers of stormwater-related or pluvial flooding risks, with a forecasted increase in risk of 3.6 to 7 times by 2070.
Annual estimated losses just from pluvial flood related flooding are likely to increase up to $14-30 billion by 2070, exposing up to 46.4 million people.
Flash floods is highly localized are recurring events in urban spaces occurring in a much shorter span of time (3-6 hours), which is often associated with cloudbursts.
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3 Types of Urban Flooding – World Bank |
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Higher fatalities – Heat-related deaths can double to over 3 lakh each year by 2050 due to global warming and the urban heat island phenomenon.
It found that Among 10 large cities in India, from the period 1983-1990 to 2010-2016, exposure to dangerous extreme heat stress has increased by 71 %.
Urban Heat Island effect is a local and temporary phenomenon experienced when certain pockets within a city experience a higher heat load than surrounding or neighboring areas on the same day.
Enhance autonomy – Indian cities should be granted greater autonomy to invest in climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation.
Evidence suggests that cities with more decision-making power tend to outperform others in implementing effective climate solutions.
Localized approaches – Climate strategies tailored to local conditions rather than imposed uniformly across all states.
National and state-level support – Coordinated interventions at national and state levels are crucial to support and amplify local efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation.
Boosting private sector engagement – Encouraging greater participation from private enterprises in city-level climate initiatives.
Creating a financing roadmap – Establishing clear pathways for sustainable funding and investment in climate projects.
Building municipal capacities – Setting standards and providing resources to strengthen the capabilities of urban local bodies.
Capital mobilization – Blending public-private funds accelerates resilient urban infrastructure development.
Weak devolution of powers – 74th Constitutional Amendment aimed to empower states to delegate responsibilities like urban planning, land use regulation, supply management, and slum improvement to ULBs.
However, many states have fallen short in fully realizing this potential.
Inadequate financial resources – ULBs frequently face significant financial constraints that hinder their ability to implement climate-resilient infrastructure and policies.
The Union Budget 2025-26 announced that the government will set up the Urban Challenge Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore to implement the proposals for ‘Cities as Growth Hubs’, ‘Creative Redevelopment of Cities’, and ‘Water and Sanitation.
Weak institutional capacity – Many ULBs also struggle with insufficient technical skills and administrative capabilities necessary to design and implement effective climate adaptation strategies.
Lack of structured governance – The absence of coordination among various urban authorities obstructs the seamless integration of climate resilience measures across different sectors.
Inadequate data – Lack of access to accurate and current data regarding climate risks and urban infrastructure, which are crucial for making informed decisions.
Measures like shifting working hours to early morning and late afternoon, urban greening, early warning systems, and cool roofs can save over 1.3 lakh lives.
Building climate resilient infrastructure is needed for both growth and sustenance in future.
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Quick facts |
Lord Ripon considered as the father of local self-government in India.
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The Indian Express| Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report
