National Urban Policy

The Indian government is gearing up to introduce its inaugural National Urban Policy framework by March this year. To achieve this, the housing and urban affairs ministry has formed a panel, led by the Smart City Mission Director. Up until now, there hasn’t been a comprehensive national policy outlining India’s strategy for urbanization. This is mainly because urban development has been under the jurisdiction of individual states so far.

Habitat III

Every 20 years, countries from around the world gather at the United Nations (UN) to talk about houses and making cities better.
At the last meeting called Habitat III in 2016, they came up with a new plan called the “New Urban Agenda“.
This plan tells countries what they should do to make cities better from 2016 to 2030.
The plan focuses on making cities more sustainable, which means making them better for people to live in without harming the environment.

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

The UN wants leaders worldwide to create cities where everyone feels welcome, safe, and where the communities can withstand challenges while being good for the environment.
By 2030, it’s expected that a whopping 583 million people will call Indian cities home. That’s an extra 65 million people compared to now!
This goal is all about making sure these growing cities are awesome places to live. They should be inclusive (welcoming to everyone), safe, able to handle tough times, and good for the Earth too.

Effect of India’s Urbanization on World

Nearly one-fifth of the world’s urban population growth is expected to happen in India, making the country a major player in shaping global urban trends.
The way India manages essential services like water supply, sanitation, and garbage disposal in its cities will have a big impact on global averages.
Indian cities are crucial to the country’s economy, currently chipping in with a hefty 63 percent of the total GDP.

Tackling Urbanization Challenges in a Different Way

Embrace urban growth as a chance for positive change rather than a problem.
Put citizens at the heart of city planning, ensuring development matches their needs.
Foster collaboration between different levels of government, giving states and local bodies the freedom and resources to plan and execute initiatives.
Prioritize infrastructure that directly benefits citizens by improving service delivery.
Revamp planning processes to encourage a holistic and improved approach.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
Make inclusive growth a focal point of development efforts.
Harness technology to boost the efficiency of service delivery.

India’s Vision of Urbanization

Cities should work together with a shared plan for efficiency, fairness, green living, and safety.
Urban policies should be well-thought-out, fitting in with the idea that everyone – from local to national levels – should cooperate.
Let’s make sure cities grow in a way that benefits everyone, where businesses and people working together create positive energy.
We want cities where everyone is included and has a fair chance to thrive.
Every plan should have the environment at its heart, making sure our cities are sustainable for the long run.
Local governments and communities should have the tools and authority to shape their own destinies.
Making sure everyone has a chance to own a home, with a strong system to support it.
Let’s make sure our cities have the right infrastructure and services, and we figure out how to pay for them.
Cities should be fair places where everyone, no matter their background, can find justice and equal opportunities.
Keeping a close eye on what’s happening in our cities, with good information to guide our decisions.

How can a NUP help?

The policy will clearly state why cities matter and what goals they should strive for.
Dealing with city problems in India is tricky, mostly because each state handles its own city-related issues.
To make cities bustling economic hubs, states need to take the lead.
However, states must also gear up their local bodies to tackle upcoming challenges.
The National Urbanization Policy (NUP) will establish a basic plan that involves everyone.
This ensures all stakeholders play a role in the minimum expectations.
The NUP will act as a guide for states, pushing them to create their own version of the policy.

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