The Need for Climate-Aligned Cities in India

BUILDING CLIMATE-ALIGNED CITIES IN INDIA: URBAN ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE

1. Why is India focusing on building climate-aligned cities now?

India’s urban population is projected to nearly double to 951 million by 2050, requiring more than 144 million new homes by 2070. However, over 50% of the infrastructure required for 2050 is yet to be built. Timely adaptation is crucial to avoid huge economic losses caused by floods, heatwaves, and sea-level rise.

2. What are the major risks identified in Indian cities?

The World Bank report highlights several key risks faced by Indian cities:

• Coastal flooding in cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, and Surat.
• Riverine flooding in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Indore.
• Heat stress in Chennai and Lucknow.
• Flash floods in Delhi due to its dense built-up areas.

3. What will the cost of inaction be?

Without adaptation, climate-related damages could rise from $4 billion annually in 2023 to between $14–30 billion by 2070. This includes losses in productivity, higher healthcare costs, and damage to infrastructure from heat, flooding, and water scarcity.

4. What investment is required to make cities resilient?

Developing future-ready urban infrastructure will require an estimated $2.4 trillion by 2050. This investment covers housing, transportation, drainage systems, clean energy networks, and essential public services.

5. What are compact and mixed-use cities?

Compact and mixed-use cities are designed to support high population density and integrated transport systems, combining residential, commercial, and recreational zones. These designs reduce travel distances, cut energy use, and enhance urban resilience to climate impacts.

6. How can cities finance such large investments?

While programs like AMRUT and the Smart Cities Mission provide central funding, most cities currently access only about 20% of approved allocations. To bridge this gap, urban local bodies need to strengthen financial governance, issue municipal bonds, attract private capital, and improve accountability in fund management.

7. What does the report recommend as solutions?

The report outlines several key strategies to make Indian cities more climate-resilient:

• Develop City Climate Action Plans.
• Promote compact, mixed-use urban development.
• Upgrade core infrastructure like sewerage, housing, and transport.
• Enhance governance, data systems, and resource efficiency.
• Mobilize private and institutional investment for resilience projects.

8. Which cities face the highest heat risks?

Cities like Chennai, Surat, and Lucknow may experience 50–90% more extreme hot days and nights by 2050. This will impact productivity, water supply, and public health, especially among vulnerable communities.

9. What sectors emit the most carbon in cities?

The top urban emission sources are energy use, transportation, and building construction. These sectors together contribute the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in Indian cities.

10. What long-term benefits will adaptation bring?

Urban adaptation not only saves lives and reduces economic losses but also enhances livability, competitiveness, and sustainability. Improved urban design and climate planning can lead to healthier environments, cleaner energy use, and better overall quality of life for millions of residents.