As urbanisation picks up pace across India, albeit not matching global levels, this is one question that we are forced to confront frequently.
In my opinion, India is so bad at planning cities because we have no ‘one’ effective, central urbanisation plan at all. We do not have state-level urbanisation plans either. And till recently, we did not even have effective, functional district level comprehensive urbanisation plans. Though there have been ministries and departments, but their power to make deep dents in the system was negligible.
Sounds shocking, right? The only plans we have had so far have been after random, haphazard growth in Indian cities has already happened. Then, authorities would scramble to make it work, turn it revenue-positive and make it look less dis-organised. This story repeated itself countlessly over and over, time and again. It was only post 1991–92, after the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments were carried out, that Rural local bodies and Urban local bodies gained prominence.
But why is there such a mess? Three prime reasons - basically a rural nation + no effectively funded centralised plan + huge regional variations.
. . . . .
REASON 1. Primarily a Rural nation - In 1951, India had only 5 cities with a population more than 10 lacs, and only 41 cities with more than 1 lac people. Villages were more than 5.6 lacs. Today in 2016–17, more than 65 percent of our people live in rural areas, or just-above rural towns. These are the prime focus of all governments, due to sheer numbers, and the political meaning it carries. The fact that rural folks are primarily agriculturists makes it simpler for the policy-makers to focus largely on them. The figures are tell-tale.
. . . . .
REASON 2. Random, unplanned urban growth - There was no impetus to concentrate people into better organised urban centres. The system just let it evolve on its own. We have more than 8000 urban centres today! In this area at least, we have let loose democracy’s dance in full flourish. Move anywhere, settle anywhere, do whatever. Can we really make 8000 urban centres world-class? A big question. We need funds, duly-elected and capable urban local bodies and technology to help achieve this. The 14th Finance Commission has allotted huge sums to local bodies till 2020. We need to see what comes out of it. The most difficult part will be for vested interest lobbies to let go of their hold and allow the urban local bodies to effectively implement revenue-generating schemes (taxes etc.) and enforce rules and discipline.
It is reasonable to assume that smaller towns are a bridge between rural and truly urban centres. But by 2031, these 8000+ urban centres will be densely packed. They need a total overhaul in systems, processes, resources and governance.
There are other striking aspects of this urbanisation. A notable one is the sheer concentration of economic activity that has happened, a fact that’s also reflected in the skewed share of sector in India’s GDP basket. And we plan to turn India into an egalitarian society with such figures.
. . . . .
REASON 3. Huge regional variations - This is typically Indian. The states are as different from each other as nations are in Europe. Here is the data -
The Modi government apparently understands this challenge, and to break free from the past, all the new schemes like Smart Cities, AMRUT (an improved version of JNNURM), Housing for All by 2022, etc. have been launched. I am not going into the details of those, as that’s not what the question is about.
The task is humongous, and the resources may not be enough. Here’s a picture of the funds involved -
Let’s see how it turns out.
~
In my opinion, India is so bad at planning cities because we have no ‘one’ effective, central urbanisation plan at all. We do not have state-level urbanisation plans either. And till recently, we did not even have effective, functional district level comprehensive urbanisation plans. Though there have been ministries and departments, but their power to make deep dents in the system was negligible.
Sounds shocking, right? The only plans we have had so far have been after random, haphazard growth in Indian cities has already happened. Then, authorities would scramble to make it work, turn it revenue-positive and make it look less dis-organised. This story repeated itself countlessly over and over, time and again. It was only post 1991–92, after the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments were carried out, that Rural local bodies and Urban local bodies gained prominence.
But why is there such a mess? Three prime reasons - basically a rural nation + no effectively funded centralised plan + huge regional variations.
. . . . .
REASON 1. Primarily a Rural nation - In 1951, India had only 5 cities with a population more than 10 lacs, and only 41 cities with more than 1 lac people. Villages were more than 5.6 lacs. Today in 2016–17, more than 65 percent of our people live in rural areas, or just-above rural towns. These are the prime focus of all governments, due to sheer numbers, and the political meaning it carries. The fact that rural folks are primarily agriculturists makes it simpler for the policy-makers to focus largely on them. The figures are tell-tale.
 |
| Indian urbanisation has a long way to go yet |
. . . . .
REASON 2. Random, unplanned urban growth - There was no impetus to concentrate people into better organised urban centres. The system just let it evolve on its own. We have more than 8000 urban centres today! In this area at least, we have let loose democracy’s dance in full flourish. Move anywhere, settle anywhere, do whatever. Can we really make 8000 urban centres world-class? A big question. We need funds, duly-elected and capable urban local bodies and technology to help achieve this. The 14th Finance Commission has allotted huge sums to local bodies till 2020. We need to see what comes out of it. The most difficult part will be for vested interest lobbies to let go of their hold and allow the urban local bodies to effectively implement revenue-generating schemes (taxes etc.) and enforce rules and discipline.
 |
| 8000 urban centres! |
It is reasonable to assume that smaller towns are a bridge between rural and truly urban centres. But by 2031, these 8000+ urban centres will be densely packed. They need a total overhaul in systems, processes, resources and governance.
 |
| A total overhaul is needed |
There are other striking aspects of this urbanisation. A notable one is the sheer concentration of economic activity that has happened, a fact that’s also reflected in the skewed share of sector in India’s GDP basket. And we plan to turn India into an egalitarian society with such figures.
 |
| GDP imbalance between urban and rural India |
. . . . .
REASON 3. Huge regional variations - This is typically Indian. The states are as different from each other as nations are in Europe. Here is the data -
 |
| A continent in the shape of a nation |
The Modi government apparently understands this challenge, and to break free from the past, all the new schemes like Smart Cities, AMRUT (an improved version of JNNURM), Housing for All by 2022, etc. have been launched. I am not going into the details of those, as that’s not what the question is about.
The task is humongous, and the resources may not be enough. Here’s a picture of the funds involved -
 |
| Gulp! The figures... |
Let’s see how it turns out.
~
