CITIES ARE fast becoming hotspots for environmental action. As they grow to cater to the needs of the expanding urban population, there is an increase in motorisation, concretisation, proliferation of slums and shrinking green and blue spaces. In a warming world, cities suffer due to the urban heat island effect, flooding, water scarcity, improper solid waste management, pollution of air and water and overall deteriorating liveability.
The Centre has taken measures to combat these impacts. For instance, Union Budget 2024-25 allocated ₹10,400 crore for the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission; ₹21,336 crore for metro rail projects; ₹5,000 crore for the Swachh Bharat Mission; and ₹80,761 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The 15th Finance Commission of India and the National Clean Air Programme have also proposed more funds to urban local bodies to tackle some problems.
However, action so far has been slow and is not quite outcome-oriented. Sustainable growth of cities needs measurable indicators that bring tangible results:
HOUSING SUPPORT
PMAY or the Housing for All mission has led to the development of millions of affordable housing units. However, these units may not provide thermal comfort, given the lack of criteria for thermal performance. This is confirmed in a 2021 study by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
The Affordable Rental Housing Complexes scheme, a sub-program under PMAY introduced in 2020, comes with great opportunity to align the rental housing stock with national thermal comfort goals. Provisions of the scheme, such as the technology innovation grant to facilitate adoption of innovative, sustainable, green and disaster-resilient technologies and building materials, must be linked to better thermal performance.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 01, 2024 من Down To Earth.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 01, 2024 من Down To Earth.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
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As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
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Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
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BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
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