Building Climate-Resilient Cities in India

Why in the News?

1. Rapid urbanisation: India’s cities are expanding at an unprecedented pace, and by 2050 almost a billion people will live in urban areas.
2. Rising climate risks: Cities face increasing threats from floods, extreme heat, cyclones, landslides, and earthquakes.
3. Policy urgency: A World Bank commentary stresses the need for early investments in resilient housing, transport, and services to prevent huge economic and human losses.

Key Highlights

1. Urban Growth and Infrastructure Needs
   1. By 2070, India will need to build 144 million new homes – more than double today’s stock.
   2. Alongside housing, transport networks and municipal services must expand to serve rising populations.
   3. Since much of this is yet to be built, India has a rare opportunity to design cities that are safe, inclusive, and sustainable.
2. Flooding Risks
   1. Over two-thirds of urban residents will face surface flooding.
   2. Losses projected: $5 billion annually by 2030, rising to $30 billion by 2070.
   3. Solutions include:
      1. Demarcating no-build zones in high-risk areas.
      2. Improving drainage and stormwater management.

• Nature-based solutions (wetlands, green spaces) to absorb water.

1. Flood forecasting systems for early warning.

1. Examples: Kolkata has flood forecasting; Chennai is upgrading stormwater systems.

3. Extreme Heat Challenges
   1. The urban heat island effect makes cities 3–5°C hotter at night than surrounding areas.
   2. Rising heat threatens public health and worker productivity.
   3. Adaptation strategies:
      1. Heat Action Plans (like Ahmedabad’s model).
      2. Cool roofs and reflective building materials.

• Tree planting and shaded canopies.

1. Rescheduling outdoor work hours to avoid peak heat.

4. Housing and Urban Design
   1. Current housing is highly vulnerable to climate disasters.
   2. With more than half of future homes yet to be built, choices in location, design, and construction quality will shape resilience.
   3. Compact city planning, forward-looking urban design, and resilient materials can reduce risks and improve inclusivity and prosperity.
5. Transport and Municipal Services
   1. Over 25% of roads in urban areas are at risk of flooding.
   2. Even if 10–20% of roads are blocked, entire transport systems can collapse.
   3. Key measures:
      1. Flood risk mapping for roads.
      2. Alternative routes and resilient road design.

• Better drainage systems.

1. Municipal services also need upgrades:
   1. Waste management and waste-to-energy systems.
   2. Cleaner air, water, and soil, leading to better health and productivity.

Key Terms

1. Climate-Resilient Cities
   1. Urban areas designed to withstand, adapt, and quickly recover from climate shocks like floods, heatwaves, and storms.
   2. They use risk-informed planning to minimise damage to housing, transport, and infrastructure.
   3. Focus on reducing vulnerability of poor and marginalised groups, who are most affected by disasters.
   4. Involves integrating green infrastructure (trees, wetlands, open spaces) with modern technology.
   5. Requires strong institutional capacity and coordination among governments, citizens, and private actors.
   6. Long-term goal: create cities that are safe, liveable, and economically sustainable despite climate risks.
2. Urban Heat Island Effect
   1. A phenomenon where cities become hotter than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.
   2. Caused by concrete, asphalt, and buildings that trap and retain heat.
   3. Lack of greenery reduces natural cooling, making temperatures rise.
   4. Night-time temperatures remain high, preventing bodies from recovering from daytime heat.
   5. It increases risks of heat strokes, energy demand for cooling, and mortality.
   6. Solutions: planting trees, reflective materials, and better city ventilation corridors.
3. Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
   1. Strategies that use natural ecosystems to address climate and environmental challenges.
   2. Examples: restoring wetlands for flood control, urban forests for cooling, green roofs for insulation.
   3. Provide dual benefits: climate resilience + biodiversity protection.
   4. Cost-effective compared to purely engineered solutions like concrete embankments.
   5. Improve air quality, water recharge, and quality of life for citizens.
   6. Increasingly recognised in global climate policies like the Paris Agreement and SDGs.
4. Cool Roofs
   1. Roofs designed with reflective materials or coatings to reduce heat absorption.
   2. Keep buildings cooler inside, reducing the need for air conditioning.
   3. Low-cost and easy to implement, especially in low-income housing.
   4. Help mitigate urban heat island effect at city scale.
   5. Reduce energy demand, cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
   6. Widely promoted under India’s Heat Action Plans.
5. Flood Risk Mapping
   1. A scientific method of identifying areas that are most likely to experience flooding during heavy rainfall, river overflow, or coastal events.
   2. Data used: Combines topography, rainfall data, river flow records, land use, soil type, and drainage patterns.
   3. Purpose: Helps authorities plan safe infrastructure, avoid construction in vulnerable areas, and prepare emergency responses.
   4. Urban use: In cities, mapping shows which roads, housing colonies, and services will be affected if floods occur.
   5. Technology: Uses GIS (Geographic Information Systems), remote sensing, and computer simulations.
   6. Benefit: Reduces loss of lives, property damage, and economic disruption by guiding risk-informed planning.
6. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Systems
   1. Definition: Technologies that convert solid waste (like municipal garbage, industrial waste, or biomass) into usable energy: electricity, heat, or fuel.
   2. Process: Waste is treated using incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, or anaerobic digestion to release energy.
   3. Advantages: Reduces the volume of waste going to landfills, generates clean energy, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
   4. Urban importance: Helps cities deal with mountains of garbage, improves air and water quality, and supports circular economy

Implications

1. Economic Implications
   10. Resilient cities require investments worth $10.95 trillion over 30 years.
   11. While huge, these investments will save billions annually in avoided damages.
   12. Safer cities will attract investors, industries, and jobs.
2. Social Implications
   1. Resilience will protect lives from floods, cyclones, and heatwaves.
   2. Affordable, climate-safe housing can reduce urban inequality.
   3. Healthier urban environments will improve quality of life.
3. Environmental Implications
   1. Green infrastructure like trees, wetlands, and cool roofs will reduce climate stress.
   2. Nature-based solutions protect ecosystems while helping cities adapt.
   3. Lower air and water pollution improves sustainability.
4. Governance Implications
   1. Institutional capacity at the city level must be strengthened.
   2. Collaboration between central, state, and local governments is crucial.
   3. The private sector must be engaged for financing and innovation.
5. Global Implications
   1. India’s experience in building resilient megacities can serve as a global model.
   2. Success will contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global climate commitments.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

India stands at a decisive moment in shaping its urban future. With millions of homes, roads, and services yet to be built, the country has a unique chance to design cities that are safe, sustainable, and resilient. Early investment in climate-smart infrastructure will save lives, protect the economy, and unlock urban potential. But success will require strong governance, private sector support, and citizen participation. The window to act is narrow, the time is now.