Urban Governance
Urban Governance for sustainable development
1
URBAN GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Alka Bharat,
Professor,
Dept. of Architecture & Planning, M.A.N.I.T., Bhopal – 462007, India.
E-mail: alka_bharat@yahoo.com
Ms. Chandan Chawla,
Architect / Urban Planner.E mail: ccassociates@rediffmail.com
INTRODUCTION
The importance of sustainability in the urban setting cannot be over emphasized, as it concerns the very survival of a city. Healthy cities contribute to a healthy nation. Clean environment and economic growth are complimentary to each other and result in a vibrant community who see themselves as "stakeholders" in all aspects of daily life and helps in creating sustainable environment. Other characteristics to sustainable urban development include (as seen by
Development Alternatives, India):
• Controlled population for whom adequate, meaningful employment is available. • Efficient basic civic amenities and their management for a reasonable comfortable existence. For example, due to the shortage of power more than 50% [of power] is illegally consumed without payment to the municipal corporation leading to corruption, unacceptable financial losses and inadequate supply to those who pay for the consumption of power. A similar situation has evolved where an inadequate water supply has led to similar financial losses and an inadequate supply of water for the population. • Planned housing colonies with adequate infrastructure like schools, parks, drainage system, and local Medicare establishments.
Urban Governance for sustainable development
2
• Transportation affects the environment. Efficient transportation planning has to take into consideration a wide range of options and choices like adequate roads, parking lots, alternate system of transportation, and mass transit facilities. The aim should be to reduce total vehicle miles driven in congested areas thus reducing pollution and emission of green house gases.
• Effective
1
URBAN GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Alka Bharat,
Professor,
Dept. of Architecture & Planning, M.A.N.I.T., Bhopal – 462007, India.
E-mail: alka_bharat@yahoo.com
Ms. Chandan Chawla,
Architect / Urban Planner.E mail: ccassociates@rediffmail.com
INTRODUCTION
The importance of sustainability in the urban setting cannot be over emphasized, as it concerns the very survival of a city. Healthy cities contribute to a healthy nation. Clean environment and economic growth are complimentary to each other and result in a vibrant community who see themselves as "stakeholders" in all aspects of daily life and helps in creating sustainable environment. Other characteristics to sustainable urban development include (as seen by
Development Alternatives, India):
• Controlled population for whom adequate, meaningful employment is available. • Efficient basic civic amenities and their management for a reasonable comfortable existence. For example, due to the shortage of power more than 50% [of power] is illegally consumed without payment to the municipal corporation leading to corruption, unacceptable financial losses and inadequate supply to those who pay for the consumption of power. A similar situation has evolved where an inadequate water supply has led to similar financial losses and an inadequate supply of water for the population. • Planned housing colonies with adequate infrastructure like schools, parks, drainage system, and local Medicare establishments.
Urban Governance for sustainable development
2
• Transportation affects the environment. Efficient transportation planning has to take into consideration a wide range of options and choices like adequate roads, parking lots, alternate system of transportation, and mass transit facilities. The aim should be to reduce total vehicle miles driven in congested areas thus reducing pollution and emission of green house gases.
• Effective
References: • Good urban governance, India Launch, Documented by Human Settlement Management Institute, New Delhi. • Oberoi.N.K., Environmental Management, Excel Books, New Delhi. • Inaugural Address: by Mrs. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, Executive Director, UNCHS, Launching of the Global Campaign for Good Urban Governance in India, Sep 2001, Delhi, India.