President calls for planned urbanization

Hyderabad, Oct 9 (INN) The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday emphasized the need for planned urbanisation across the globe and said that in India too there is realization that this planned urbanisation is one of the keys to the country's growth potential.

Delivering his address as the Chief guest at the valedictory of the XIth World Metropolis Congress, The President in his thought provoking address said I am sure the intellectual churning over the last three days has been fruitful and will provide new insight into urban planning and administration with the ultimate goal of making 'Cities for All' which is the theme of the congress. I congratulate the Government of Telangana and Metropolis on successfully hosting this event.

Urbanization is sweeping the world. It has been said that the 19th century was the century of empires; the 20th century was the century of countries and the 21st century will be the century of cities. During 2008, according to the United Nations, mankind became for the first time in its history a predominantly urban species. Demographers estimate that three quarters (75%) of the global population could be urban by 2050 with most of the increase coming in the fast growing town of Asia and Africa.

According to India's census of 2011, about 377 million Indians comprising 31% of the Country's population, live in urban areas in comparison to 45% in China, 54% in Indonesia, 78% in Mexico and 87% in Brazil.

Urban population recorded an annual growth rate of 2.76 percent and the 2011 census reported a dramatic increase in the number of million plus cities from 35 to 52.

Urban areas are now acknowledged as 'engines of economic growth' and more than 60% of India's Gross Domestic Product 43% of the GDP, with 16% of the population and just 0.24% of the land area. Globally it is also being recognized that rather than a 'rural-urban dichotomy', the phenomenon of 'rural 'urban continuum' is the order of the day. In India too, there is realization that planned urbanization is one of the keys to unlock India's growth potential.

At a time when more than fifty per cent of the world lives in urban areas, it is important that administrators address the ever rising challenges of sanitation, pollution, mobility, civic amenities and public safety in an innovative manner.

Most cities from the developing world are unprepared, both at local and global levels, to face the challenge of urbanization and ensuring equity in the provision of basic infrastructure and amenities.

There is urgent need to strengthen urban governance and local finances in order to meet current demand and the challenges ahead of us. These challenges are not only in the context of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions but also with regard to provision of basic services to all the inhabitants, development of networks for water supply and transport, collection of waste, provision of equitable access to land and energy, building of green buildings, expansion of mass transportation systems etc., Also, our cities are having do more with less and less financial resources.

The Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in his speech called for development with the human angle. He said that the Govt. of Telangana is trying to develop Hyderabad without disturbing heritages in the lines of Istanbul. He said Istanbul is before the world as an example for development without disturbing Heritages.

The Chief Minister hoped that the Metropolis congress provides a constructive and interactive platform to exchange ideas. With 50% Urbanization across the globe the need of the hour is to sensitize people regarding the judicious utilization of urban land.

Population in urban areas is increasing because of migration, but land will not grow. Hence, land should be utilized in a scientific and judicious manner, he said.

Executive Mayor of Johannsburg and Co-President of the Metropolis Congress, Park Tau said that the delegates are grateful for the hospitality of the Government of Telangana, GHMC and the organizers.

He said it is encouraging that Metropolis youth have been launched. The Mayor hoped that the inputs of the 11th Congress will assist us to plan further for better Urban Governance, Social inclusion and economic development. The inputs will also help us design the agenda for the next congress which will be held at Buenoers to be held next year.