India's G20 Presidency: A Vision for a Sustainable Future " Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam " - One Earth · One Family · One Future The theme chosen for India’s G20 Presidency is “ Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ,” a phrase derived from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. This theme, translated as “One Earth · One Family · One Future,” embodies the idea of universal kinship. It underscores the intrinsic value of all life forms—human, animal, plant, and even microorganisms—and highlights their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the broader cosmos. At its core, this theme champions the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, which promotes environmentally sustainable and responsible choices. These choices span individual lifestyles and national development trajectories, with the ultimate goal of catalyzing global transformation towards a cleaner, greener, and bluer future.
G20 Summit Insights Development The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration outlines the group’s priorities and commitments on a range of economic, social, and environmental issues. Key highlights include: Financing Cities of Tomorrow: The declaration presents a financing strategy and a compendium of innovative urban planning and financing models. It encourages stakeholders, including Development Financial Institutions and the MDBs, to explore the potential of these principles in their planning and financing of urban infrastructure. Inclusive Cities: The declaration outlines enablers of inclusive cities. It also mentions the customisable G20/ADB Framework on Capacity Building of Urban Administration, which is intended to guide local governments in assessing and enhancing their institutional capacity for effective public service delivery. Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) Indicators: The declaration notes the ongoing pilot application of these voluntary and non-binding indicators, which could potentially guide urban development. Disaster Risk Reduction: The G20 Presidency has initiated efforts on disaster risk reduction, which is crucial for building resilient urban environments. Lifestyles for Sustainable Development: The declaration acknowledges the role of sustainable lifestyles in climate action, which can directly impact urban development and planning. Sustainable and Resilient Blue/Ocean-Based Economy: As part of the environmental considerations, the declaration lists a set of high-level principles for building a sustainable and resilient blue/ocean-based economy.
Green Infrastructure and Open areas: Integrating green infrastructure and open areas is important for sustainable urban planning. This involves maintaining and building parks, urban woods, green roofs, and other green areas that provide numerous benefits, including better air quality, temperature control, stormwater management, and leisure opportunities. The piece addresses the value of incorporating nature into urban environments to improve biodiversity, support well-being, and build resilient cities. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Cities make for a large part of world energy usage. Therefore, supporting energy economy and utilizing renewable energy sources is important for sustainable urban planning. This part discusses tactics such as promoting energy-efficient building design, incentivizing renewable energy installations, adopting smart grids, and encouraging energy conservation practices. By reducing energy demand and transitioning to clean energy, towns can greatly help to mitigating climate change and lowering environmental effect. Social Equity and Community involvement: Sustainable urban planning should promote social equity and community involvement. This includes providing affordable homes, accessible public services, and equitable division of resources. The piece discusses the importance of involving local communities in the planning process, supporting democratic decision-making, and solving social gaps to build inclusive cities that cater to the needs of all people.
Conclusion: Sustainable urban planning is a complex effort that requires a balanced approach, considering environmental, social, and economic factors. By adopting strategies such as compact and mixed-use development, sustainable transportation systems, green infrastructure, energy efficiency, and social justice, cities can change into lively, resilient, and sustainable urban centers. The article highlights the importance of teamwork among urban planners, lawmakers, community leaders, and citizens to build cities that value sustainability, safety, and efficient resource usage, eventually creating a better future for all.
Safe and affordable housing Affordable and sustainable transport systems Inclusive and sustainable urbanization Protect the world's cultural and natural heritage Reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters Reduce the environmental impacts of cities : Provide access to safe and inclusive green and public spaces : Strong national and regional development planning Implement policies for inclusion, resource efficiency and disaster risk reduction Support least developed countries in sustainable and resilient building [ edit ]
The world is developing at an unprecedented scale. Over the next 20 years, urban population in developing countries will double to 4 billion, while the urbanized land area will triple. Rapid growth helps create new opportunities, but it has also brought serious social, economic, and environmental challenges . Today, 1 billion people live in urban slums, and 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by repeated cycles of violence. In the past decade, the number of people affected by natural disasters tripled to 2 billion. Low-income countries have accounted for only 9% of the disaster events but 48% of fatalities since 1980. The burden of disasters, conflict, crime, and violence falls disproportionately on the poor . Urban and rural communities around the world increasingly feel the urge to tackle these challenges and increase their resilience to poverty and inequality, social exclusion, violence and fragility, as well as climate change and disaster risks. Building sustainable communities—whether they are villages, cities, or countries and societies at large—will be critical to eliminating poverty and boosting shared prosperity .
Specifically, the concept of “ Sustainable Cities and Communities ” of the World Bank’s Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience and Land Global Practice (GPURL) includes four key dimensions : First, Sustainable Communities are environmentally sustainable in terms of cleanliness and efficiency. Second, Sustainable communities are resilient to social, economic, and natural shocks. They are well prepared for natural disasters, which are increasing in intensity and frequency due to climate change . Third, Sustainable Communities are inclusive communities. They bring all dimensions of society and all groups of people—including the marginalized and vulnerable—into their markets, their services, and their development . And finally, Sustainable Communities are competitive communities that can stay productive and generate jobs for members of the community . Building inclusive, resilient, competitive and sustainable cities and communities is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity at the local, regional, and national levels.
A sustainable city should promote economic growth and meet the basic needs of its inhabitants, while creating sustainable living conditions for all . " improving the quality of life in a city, including ecological, cultural, political, institutional, social and economic components without leaving a burden on future generations” Meeting the needs of current and future generations while maintaining the stability, prosperity and equity of the region’s economic, environmental and social systems. Attaining a balance between economic prosperity, environmental vitality, and social equity that maintains the quality of life for current and future generations.
SUSTAINABLE CITY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY Minimum ecological disruption, practice conservation, maintain a constant population TRADITIONAL CITY Contemporary pattern of world urbanization = un sustainable
Throughout the world, people want the same things: access to clean air and water; economic opportunities; a safe and healthy place to raise their kids; shelter; lifelong learning; a sense of community; and the ability to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. A sustainable community takes into account, and addresses, multiple human needs, not just one at the exclusion of all others. It is a place where people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome and safe, where every group has a seat at the decision-making table, and where prosperity is shared. It takes a long-term perspective – focusing on anticipating and adapting to change in both the present and future.
Traditional model of Sustainable communities Contemporary model of Sustainable communities
Eg - Auroville , I ndia
Location Madhya Pradesh state in India About Indore Indore is a city located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh The city has implemented several initiatives to promote sustainable practices and maintain a clean and green environment. Encouraging usage of electric vehicles, solar energy, and a robust waste management system makes it one of the most eco-friendly cities globally . With its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant food scene, Indore is a city that offers a unique blend of traditional and modern experiences . What makes Indore an eco-friendly city? waste management system plants that convert waste into biofuel, and it has helped the city council earn over ₹8 Cr/annum (~$1 mn /annually ). Indore has made efforts to improve public transportation and reduce traffic congestion green initiatives have been implemented in the city The city has also introduced a unique concept of 'tree ambulance '; these are vehicles equipped with all necessary facilities and will tend to sick and worm-infested plants and trees .
"Sustainable community development is the ability to make development choices which respect the relationship between the three "E's"-economy, ecology, and equity: Economy - Economic activity should serve the common good, be self-renewing, and build local assets and self-reliance. Ecology - Human are part of nature, nature has limits, and communities are responsible for protecting and building natural assets. Equity - The opportunity for full participation in all activities, benefits, and decision-making of a society."
SUSTAINABLE CITY NOW ECOLOGICAL CITY 1970s GARDEN CITY 1900s
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE OPTIMAL SITE COST ACCOUNTING OF NATURE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
Chandigarh Chandigarh is one of the first planned cities of India. The urban infrastructure, in conjunction with the protected greenery, makes it one of the top greenest cities in India. Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana; it has a forest and tree cover of 35.5 percent in its 114-sq km area, according to the Forest Department of India.
Bhopal | Greenest Cities in India In 1984, a massive chemical leak from a pesticide factory left Bhopal’s soil and water toxic and killed nearly 4,000 people. The damage scarred the city’s memory. Bhopal is now one of the greenest cities of India and has been largely successful in its attempt to re-establish its image. It is not just a prominent urban center; Bhopal has preserved its forest heritage and has also developed itself as a commercial center. The results are due to a mix of environmental awareness, implementation of laws, and the dedication of the citizens of Bhopal to improving the city.
UJJAIN HAS MORE ROOM TO BREATHE Ujjain is an ancient city and popular pilgrimage site in Madhya Pradesh, a central state of India . The project proposed by Ujjain Smart City Limited (USCL) aims at decongesting and developing some of the most visited areas of the city and enhancing their potential to accommodate and engage both tourists and residents in Ujjain . Among other aspects, this project focuses on strengthening roads and public pathways as well as redeveloping the open spaces in and around the Mahakal Temple, Maharajwada Complex, and the Chota Rudrasagar lake.
SURAT, FROM WASTELANDS TO BIODIVERSITY HUBS The historical port city of Surat lies in the western state of Gujarat. In order to increase Surat’s green cover and usable open spaces, the Surat Smart City Development Limited (SSCDL) proposed the winning idea of turning the city’s wastelands into an attractive biodiversity park. Not only will this clean up swathes of open spaces and turn them into flora and fauna habitats, but it will also provide a location for a public park. Moreover, the project will create and connect ponds, and help in the regulation and retention of rainwater.
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE OPTIMAL SITE COST ACCOUNTING OF NATURE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
A sustainable community takes into account, and addresses, multiple human needs, not just one at the exclusion of all others. It is a place where people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome and safe, where every group has a seat at the decision-making table, and where prosperity is shared.
some of the local governments’ main functions, challenges and solutions related to the urbanization process will be reviewed. Globally, the mandates of local governments are rather similar. The following four mandates can be seen as a guideline for local governments to develop innovative sustainable practices. The mandate of providing public services The mandate of planning, managing land and public buildings The mandate of procurement and Local Economic Development