Localising sustainability: An imperative for Indian cities
It’s not merely about constructing infrastructure, it's about turning cities into sustainable neighbourhoods
As I sipped my coffee on the balcony of my newly built apartment, I witnessed a scene that sparked a moment of reflection. A waste tipper truck was jammed in an adjacent lane, causing traffic chaos that had drivers honking impatiently. The truck blocked the narrow street as residents took turns depositing the waste from their homes, an ordeal that took around 20 minutes for all households in our apartment complex.
When I mentioned this to a neighbour, he shrugged it off with a casual comment: “This is a usual show.”
Most of us undermine this scenario as most neighbourhoods in Indian cities face such issues.
This situation raised two critical questions that are worth exploring. First, why don’t apartment complexes have a mandatory chute system incorporated for waste collection? Such systems, where waste can be conveniently dropped through chutes into a central collection area, could streamline the process, making it more efficient and less disruptive. Second, why are our upcoming urban streets and building designs not better planned to accommodate waste management needs? While waste management is a critical service, it is only one part of the larger picture. What about other essential services such as water, power and mobility?
The Government of India pushing towards ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ (Developed India) and its ambitious $30-trillion economy target requires a strategic shift. As urbanisation accelerates, more than 50% of the population will reside in cities by 2050. The rise of megacities and the pressures of rapid urban growth are set to profoundly impact the development of urban areas, particularly ‘neighbourhoods’.
In an urban context, neighbourhoods are the lifeblood of any city, intertwining its physical and social fabric. The majority of Indian cities with their rapid growth have struggled with disorganised development in its peri-urban areas, resulting in congestion, sprawl and resource strain. Some cities have managed to develop such areas through Town Planning Schemes. Yet, in line with the above scenario countless examples highlight a significant oversight: the lack of emphasis on services. Consequently, Indian cities are facing a crucial challenge: crafting sustainable neighbourhoods that adapt to the evolving needs of their communities. This is more than a trend — it’s a necessity driven by past lessons and future demands.
According to a recent report by McKinsey, “In the context of India’s urban development, about 70% of the country’s infrastructure for 2050 is yet to be constructed, and more than 80% of 2070’s buildings are still being conceptualised.”
This highlights an opportunity for strategic action to develop and adopt a sustainability framework for cities (especially neighbourhoods), which should be guided and facilitated by state and central governments. While each city should have its tailor-made strategy, certain norms should be mandated, such as the infrastructure’s ability to disseminate its waste efficiently.
Arguably there are existing sustainability norms and certifications in place, but they are insufficient as they are either too macro catering city-level recommendations or too micro to focus on individual buildings rather than taking a whole-of-neighbourhood approach.
Additionally, the lack of integration into local regulations and codes renders these certifications voluntary, thereby limiting their widespread adoption. This necessitates a model framework or mechanism that enables cities to develop/amend their policies, regulations, and byelaws to guide them towards realizing their vision of sustainable development.
In brief, it’s not merely about constructing infrastructure; it’s about turning cities into a collective of efficient and sustainable neighbourhoods.