🏙️ Rethinking Urban Development in India 🇮🇳

📅 Date: 27 May 2025
📝Source:-Hindustan Times
📘 Useful for: GS Paper 1 (Urbanization) and GS Paper 2 (Government Policies)

🌆 1. What’s the Problem in India’s Urban Planning?

India is now developing cities in two ways::

Greenfield cities – New cities built from scratch (like Amaravati).
Brownfield development – Improving old existing cities.

But the problem is both are going in different directions, and there’s no single national plan. This makes cities messy, unplanned, and overcrowded. It’s becoming hard to even manage the old systems like drainage and transport. 😓

➡️ If India wants to become Viksit Bharat (Developed India), we must fix this.

🚀 2. Why Are Indian Cities Growing So Fast?

Here are the main reasons:

2.1 Rural to Urban Migration

People move to cities for jobs and better life.
This is putting pressure on housing, jobs, water, transport.
There will be 600 million city dwellers by 2036! (That represents 40% of the population.)

2.2 Economic Change

Farming is being replaced by work in industry and services.
Cities now make 63% of India’s GDP, and by 2030 it can go up to 75%.
Even Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are growing fast now.

2.3 Strong Government Schemes

Projects like Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, and PMAY-U are improving housing, water, waste, etc.
These plans focus on climate safety, digital services, and modern lifestyle.

2.4 Smart Technology

Cities are using AI, IoT, and big data to make traffic, water, and buses smarter.
Pune has 90% clean-fuel buses 🚍, and Vadodara made a $10.5 million tech-based command center.

2.5 Urban Growth as National Plan

India aims to have a $30 trillion GDP by 2047.
Big cities will become job hubs and tech centers.
Projects like ‘Vocal for Local’ will help mix local business with big growth.

🚧 3. What Problems Are Cities Facing?

3.1 Poor Infrastructure and Services

Cities don’t have enough houses, water, transport, or toilets.
Old systems are not upgraded. That's why we see traffic jams, floods, and power cuts.
Only 0.6% of GDP is spent on city infrastructure—less than what’s needed.
No Indian city is in top 100 of the Smart City Index.

3.2 Unplanned City Growth

Greenfield and brownfield plans are working separately. So, cities are growing without proper shape or direction.
This leads to land fights, more pollution, and longer travel times.

3.3 Money Problems

City governments (ULBs) don’t earn enough money.
They depend too much on state or central govt funds.
Private investment is only 5%, which is very low.
There is a $840 billion funding gap till 2036.

3.4 Environment in Danger

Cities are becoming hot, dry, and polluted.
In India, 600 million people suffer from a severe water deficit.
Cities like Surat and Dharampuri are doing good water recycling, but most cities are not.

3.5 Social Inequality

Slums are still a big issue.236 million people lived in slums in 2020 😞.
Poor people don’t get clean water, toilets, or hospitals.

3.6 No Proper Data or Planning

Many cities don’t have data to plan properly.
In 39% of India's capital cities, there is no current map or spatial plan.
Tech-based cities like Pune and Vadodara are exceptions, but most cities are behind.

✅ 4. What Can India Do for Better Urban Future?

4.1 Plan Cities Together – Not Separately

Create polycentric cities – which means many small cities linked to big ones using trains, buses, etc.
Integrate greenfield and brownfield designs into a single system.
Use both Smart Cities and AMRUT together for planned development.

4.2 Give More Power and Money to Local Bodies

Let local urban bodies collect better taxes.
Use tools like municipal bonds, user fees, and green finance.
Give rewards to cities that manage money well.

4.3 Reform the Urban Governance System

Create one metropolitan body for transport, land, housing, environment.
Follow the 74th Amendment – give real power to local governments.
Make sure local MPs and elected leaders are part of Smart City meetings.

4.4 Focus on Climate Resilience

Make buildings green-certified 🌱 and energy efficient.
Build wetlands, green parks, and bioswales to manage water and reduce heat.
Link these to India’s climate goals (NDC and Net Zero targets).

4.5 Upgrade Slums Smartly

For slum development, combine PMAY houses with Smart City technology.
Give houses, water, jobs, and digital services all in one place.
Allow poor people to take part in city planning and decisions.

4.6 Safe and Smart Transport for All

Make electric buses and metro easily available 🚇.
Make stations and roadways accessible to women and those with disabilities.
Improve last-mile connectivity using rickshaws, bikes, etc.

4.7 Use Data Smartly

Use AI and sensors to track real-time city data.
Make all data open and transparent – people can also give feedback.
Helps in faster and fair decision-making.

4.8 Bring in Green and Private Money

To raise funds, use integrated finance, impact investments, and green bonds.
Fund clean energy, green buildings, waste-to-energy plants.

4.9 Connect Cities and Villages Together

Make cities and villages work as partners – with common roads, storage, and services.
This will make sure rural people also get jobs and services, and cities won’t get overburdened.

🔚 Conclusion

India’s urban development is at a critical turning point.

If we keep doing greenfield and brownfield work separately, things will stay broken. But if we make one big national plan and focus on smart, climate-friendly cities, we can really make Viksit Bharat a reality.

Let’s empower local leaders,
use smart tech,
build greener homes,
and make our cities equal for all. 🙌

This will also help India achieve:

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Rethinking Urban Development in India for UPSC: Greenfield vs Brownfield Cities, Issues & Solutions (2025)

🏙️ Rethinking Urban Development in India 🇮🇳

🌆 1. What’s the Problem in India’s Urban Planning?