Environmental degradation can cause irreversible damage to cities

Environmental sustainability and climate change can no longer be ignored in urban development and the need to incorporate these concerns into all upcoming projects and policies. Kunal Kumar, Mission Director of the Smart Cities Mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), said at an Urban 20 (U20) event in Indore . He warned that environmental degradation can cause irreversible damage to cities if action is not taken now. Our cities could suffer permanent damage if their green areas are not protected now. We need to take immediate measures to improve the state of the environment in our cities, he said. Kunal said, the country is passing through the amrit kaal and by 2047 the population of Indian cities will cross 50 crore and we have to develop the infrastructure cities to meet the growimg needs . Kumar said 2 billion people are estimated to be added to cities worldwide in the next 25 years, with 90 per cent of the growth predicted in Asia and Africa. India and Nigeria alone are expected to account for half of this increase. Currently, around 500 million people reside in Indian cities, a number set to double in the next 25 years. To match the pace of population growth, Kumar stressed the need for innovative approaches and aggressive economic growth.

Neeraj Mandloi, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department in Madhya Pradesh, said: “We cannot ignore the environmental sustainability factor anymore and it should not be limited to just tree plantation. It should reflect in our planning and actions.” “We need to keep environment and climate change in mind whenever we take up a new project or frame a new policy,” he said. Health, safe drinking water, popular transport system shoud be a priority, he said. 

The discussions during the U20 event highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making, promoting digital innovations in service delivery, and inclusive planning involving local communities. Public-private collaboration for sustainable development, citizen-led innovation in design, and access to global funding were emphasized. The event stressed the significance of building strong local communities, supporting artisans and entrepreneurs, and utilizing data-based technologies for global best practice sharing. The U20 is a parallel event to the G20 summit, which gathers leaders from the world’s largest economies. While the G20 focuses on global economic issues, the U20 focuses specifically on urban issues and their impact on sustainable development, climate change, and social inclusion. Delegation of 20 countries participated in event on Thursday.