Building Resilient Cities: Urban Planners Need To Adapt Amid Evolving Needs And Challenges

In India, over one-third of the population is already urbanised, with urban areas responsible for about 25 per cent of energy-related CO2 emissions. Rapid urbanisation poses challenges like increased vulnerability to disasters such as coastal flooding, air pollution, intense rainfall, and rising temperatures.

City dwellers today struggle to find green spaces like parks or trees due to the dominance of grey buildings with glass exteriors. The urban environment fails to prioritise preserving existing green areas, resulting in their encroachment or degradation.

As demand for built space increases, environmental damage worsens. An excerpt from the book "Cities and Canopies" written by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli aptly notes, "Whatever your needs and preferences, a city should have space for everyone to find a spot with the trees that they like, which provides them with what they need and where they can feel at home. At least, that is the dream."

Towards A Resilient Urban Living Space

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, transport, and waste is crucial for achieving a net-zero economy, a target that the central government aims to accomplish by 2070. 

In India, road transport accounts for 11 per cent of CO2 emissions in the transport sector, with emissions expected to rise faster than any other sector

Buildings in India consumed 40 per cent of the country's energy, and 70 per cent of the buildings required in urban India by 2030 are yet to be constructed. Energy demand from buildings could increase by 700 per cent by 2050. 

Blue-green infrastructure is vital for the survival of cities. Green infrastructure, like parks and gardens, focuses on enhancing urban spaces. In contrast, blue infrastructure emphasises water supply resilience in urban planning for better quality and quantity.

Experts acknowledge the significance of both components for creating sustainable cities. 

Studying Indian cities systematically is essential for sustainable development. This involves improving construction practices, identifying spatial patterns for future cities, and assessing the impact on water, biodiversity, and land change.

Applying this knowledge will facilitate more effective design of the urban landscape in India.

The Indian Scenario

Land acquisition and zoning in Indian cities is a complex process due to legal and social challenges, aimed at securing land for township projects. Proper zoning and land-use planning ensure suitable land for sustainable urban development.

Green building certifications like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and India Green Building Council (IGBC) support eco-friendly construction practices. 

Without these certifications, Indian cities face urban heat islands, leading to higher energy costs and negative health impacts on residents.

Capacity building and financial inclusion are crucial for sustainable city growth. Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi exemplify these challenges.

Bengaluru has the worst people to private vehicle ownership ratio among all cities, along with outdated concepts of the Central Business District (CBD), and a decrease in quality of living due to suburban living. 

The city also suffers from water scarcity caused by haphazard constructions and a lack of attention to urban design. The urban sprawl is further straining natural resources and green spaces. 

Immediate intervention is needed to address the lack of respect for public spaces, with Bellandur Lake being a prime example due to the mismanagement of sewage by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).

As reported by Hindustan Times, a study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) shows that Mumbai has lost more than 60 per cent of its green spaces in the last 10 years due to unplanned urban expansion and encroachments on ecologically sensitive areas. 

Weak regulations and enforcement have led to uncontrolled development, negatively impacting biodiversity, pollution levels, and environmental sustainability. Mismanaged solid waste causes pollution, health hazards, and air pollution, exacerbating problems with overflowing landfills and water pollution.

Delhi, with a population of over 20 million (as of 2021), generates about 11,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, the highest in India. More than half of this waste goes to landfills. 

Additionally, the city produces 4,399 million litres of sewage per day, which poses health risks to the population due to contaminated water and gas emissions. 

Delhi's outdated drainage system, built for a smaller population in the 70s, is unable to cope with the current numbers as the city neglected to expand it through rainwater harvesting.

Learning From Global Cases

Cities globally have acknowledged the significance of urban green spaces and integrated green infrastructure design strategies into local development plans. 

Copenhagen's 'green planning tool' evaluates the 'green factor' of public projects by assessing the urban nature of each site. Copenhagen city authorities plan to increase greenery in the city by adding more trees, parks, and green rooftops.

Singapore is a prime example of successful coordination among five ministries, including environment, transport, industry, development, and education. 

The country aims to implement a 'city in nature' concept, which will enhance animal welfare and improve green corridors. With the help of local communities, the authorities have initiated this plan to transform Singapore.

Tokyo, known for its urban landscape, is embracing green pockets to preserve green spaces. The city is adopting small green corridors and rooftop gardens as a new infrastructure concept. This ensures a balance between commercial structures and the natural environment in the densely populated city.

In Manila, The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has implemented a 'Bio Roof' to address water scarcity. The bio roof, integrated into the building's structure, consists of carefully selected herbaceous plants and grasses that can withstand extreme heat and water availability fluctuations. 

Along with the green roof, the project includes a wetland area for natural stormwater treatment and cooling effects. This helps alleviate pressure on municipal drainage systems. The LLDA building serves as a model for future initiatives in the Philippines and around the world, aiming to reduce strain on natural water bodies caused by urbanisation.

The city of Curridabat in Costa Rica has introduced the 'Sweet City' initiative to enhance the overall well-being of its residents and other species. Multidisciplinary teams work with communities to design and implement strategies using their knowledge of the city. 

These strategies include promoting water conservation, improving waste disposal through composting, growing fresh vegetables, and prioritising safe and accessible paths among others to foster a better relationship with nature. The initiative is establishing ecological urban functioning through green areas, parks, and sustainable design.

Building Urban Resilience In The Indian Context

Local area plans are needed to implement master plans and address issues on the ground. Rethinking and transformation of urban spaces are essential for this to happen. 

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has finalised four institutions to be developed as Centres of Excellence in urban planning. These institutes are expected to address urban issues at the granular level and give impetus to form, function and design rather than just focusing on spatial strategies.

Greening concretised structures like flyover underbellies can increase green cover. Repurposing these areas to provide prototype dwellings, public amenities, and opportunities for businesses, markets, and parking can address the homeless crisis and contribute to overall societal development and better living standards.

Focusing on social structures is important for shaping a city's social dynamics. It focuses on creating inclusive communities, fostering social interactions, and encouraging community engagement. By designing spaces that promote community building and social cohesion, it influences how people interact with each other and their environment.

Nature-based solutions such as green walls, urban gardens, green roofs, and green infrastructure offer various advantages to city governments and residents, enhancing resilience to extreme weather, boosting food sovereignty, and improving quality of life through the creation of recreational spaces and green or blue areas.

Lastly, tactical urbanism is an affordable and innovative approach to creating visually appealing spaces and fostering a sense of community. Implementing simple methods, allows individuals to make small, strategic changes that positively transform urban areas.

Looking Ahead

Sustainable townships are India's future in urban development. Emerging urban planning trends provide hope for creating eco-friendly, inclusive, and resilient communities amidst rapid urbanisation. 

India needs to embrace innovative approaches in urban design and infrastructure development to achieve a greener and more sustainable future.

The transformation of Indian cities is a complex process, as they evolve from traditional centres into innovative and culturally vibrant hubs focused on sustainable development. The key to India's urban future lies in finding a balance between economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.

Cities in India will continue to grow. Crucially, we must explore sustainable ways to develop an inclusive and dynamic urban future.

(The author is a public policy and urban transportation enthusiast and specialist. Views expressed are personal.)