Context:

A recent report by the World Bank "Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India”, highlights the critical role Indian cities will play in driving economic growth and job creation. This report was developed in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Key Highlights of the Report:

1. Urban Growth and Economic Significance

• India's urban population is projected to double to 951 million by 2050.
• By 2030, urban areas will contribute 70% of new job creation.
• Cities will be central to India's economic transformation, but only if they are equipped to handle climate-related challenges.

2. Rising Climate Risks: Flooding and Heat

The report identifies two critical shocks threatening urban India:

• Pluvial Flooding (urban flooding due to heavy rainfall and poor drainage):
• Annual losses may reach $5 billion by 2030, and $30 billion by 2070.
• Contributing factors include unchecked urbanization, loss of natural drainage, and over-concretization of urban spaces.
• Extreme Heat Stress & Urban Heat Islands:
• Exposure to dangerous heat stress has increased by 71% (from 1983–1990 to 2010–2016).
• By 2050, heat-related deaths could double to over 3 lakh annually.
• The urban heat island effect – where cities become significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas due to heat-trapping infrastructure – compounds the risk.

Cost of Inaction vs. Investment Needs

• To build climate-resilient urban infrastructure, Indian cities will need to invest $2.4 trillion by 2050.
• A minimum investment of $150 billion over the next 15 years is required just to support 60% of high-risk cities with flood resilience.

Recommendations from the Report

At the National and State Level:

• Strengthen policy and legal frameworks to empower urban governments.
• Develop a national financing roadmap to support resilience infrastructure.
• Boost private sector engagement and develop Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
• Enhance municipal capacity-building and improve urban governance standards.

At the City Level:

• Conduct risk evaluations and climate vulnerability assessments.
• Mobilize private and public capital to fund adaptation and mitigation projects.
• Implement nature-based solutions like urban greening, wetlands restoration, and stormwater management.
• Adopt heat mitigation strategies like:
• Cool roofing
• Urban green cover
• Early warning systems
• Adjusting working hours to avoid peak heat

Conclusion:

The World Bank report highlights the critical need for Indian cities to invest in climate resilience and adaptation measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By providing greater autonomy to cities and implementing the report's recommendations, India can reduce the economic losses and health risks associated with climate change and ensure sustainable and prosperous urban development