Essay About Growth Of Its Cities And Condition Of India

Town Planning Systems
1.1 The Challenge of Urbanization
India faces a truly formidable challenge in managing the rapid process of urbanization
and the growth of its cities. It is the second-most-populous country
in the world, with a population of 1.028 billion and, of this, 285 million (27.8
percent) live in its 5,161 cities and towns. Economic reform has given considerable
impetus to the process of urbanization, and it is expected that by 2050 half
of its population will be living in its cities and towns. This will mean that the
existing cities will continue to grow larger and many new cities and towns will
be added.
Pressures of rapid growth and years of neglect have severely stressed the
condition of Indias cities and towns. This is evident in the innumerable challenges
facing them—large areas not serviced by roads, water supply, sewerage
and storm water networks, inadequate health and education amenities, traffic
congestion, ineffective and inadequate public transportation systems, unregulated
and chaotic growth, slums, poor building stock, destruction of heritage
resources, etc. All of these make Indias cities and towns polluted, unlivable,
inefficient, and vulnerable to disasters.
Cities and towns are crucial to the economic well being of India. For this,
it is imperative that its cities and towns are transformed and pressures of new
growth are dealt with so that they are more livable, efficient, and environmentally
sustainable. Only then will the rapid pace of economic growth that India is
undergoing be sustained and the targets of environmental sustainability of the
world achieved.
1.2 The Need to Effectively Manage New Growth
To manage the transformation of Indias cities and towns and effectively manage
new growth requires effective urban planning protocols, processes, and institutions
underpinned by effective legislation. Taking a viewpoint that distinctive
responses are required to transform the cities and towns from their present
stressed