Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
By Aayushi Sharma
India is undertaking the world’s largest planned urbanisation programme and the total investment in urban development has risen ten times over the last decade, Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on November 16. Speaking at the CITIIS 2.0 (City Investments To Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain challenge) launch, the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs noted that total investments in urban development had increased tenfold since 2014 and have surpassed Rs 18 lakh crore compared to the previous ten-year period.
What is CITIIS 2.0? Who is benefitted from it?
The CITIIS 2.0 programme aims to support the climate efforts of the Government of India and MoHUA.
- Drive investments into urban climate action through competitively selected projects promoting a circular economy focusing on integrated waste management.
- Foster climate-sensitive planning and action in states and cities through evidence-driven approaches.
- Build institutional mechanisms, leverage partnerships, and anchor capacity building for all urban local bodies in India.
Assistance under the CITIIS 2.0 programme is available to all 100 SPVs under the Smart Cities Mission. Assistance will be granted to up to eighteen creative projects that support the circular economy and emphasize integrated waste management. Each project will only be eligible for a CITIIS award up to INR 135 crore, or 80% of the total project cost (or 90% in the case of the hill and northeast states). The chosen city will raise the additional cash, or 20% of the project’s overall cost, through own-source funding from the state and local governments (10% of the project’s total cost, in the case of North-Eastern and Hill States). By February 28, 2024, Smart City SPVs must submit their applications using the CITIIS Management Platform (CMP).
What are the recent urban developments in India focussing circular economy?
As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, India has already established 2,281 material recovery facilities, 972 construction and demolition waste management plants, 335 solid and liquid resource management plants, 2,391 waste-to-compost plants, and 112 bio-methanation plants. “AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 have significantly advanced the goal of ensuring the water security of our cities. SBM-U 2.0 will eliminate all trash from our communities and clean up all legacy waste across the nation,” he continued.
Adopting a circular economy might result in huge annual advantages for India and a major decrease in pollution and traffic, all of which would have a domino effect on the country’s economy. Our shift to self-reliance will be accelerated by our capacity to maximize resource efficiency, reduce the use of limited resources, and provide a catalyst for the creation of new business models and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Why is there a need to focus on urban climate action to mitigate climate change?
Urban climate action is essential to reducing the effects of climate change because of the concentration of infrastructure, economic activity, and population in cities. Urban climate action can make a big overall difference in the following ways:
- Cities generate large amounts of waste, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions through decomposition in landfills. Implementing effective waste management practices, promoting recycling, and encouraging the circular economy can reduce the environmental impact of urban waste.
- Urban areas are often vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels. Climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and other adaptation strategies can help cities cope with the changing climate and minimize the associated risks.
- Urban centers are hubs for innovation and technology. Encouraging research and development in sustainable technologies, smart infrastructure, and clean energy solutions can lead to breakthroughs that have widespread applications and contribute to global climate goals.
Image showing urban classrooms equipped with smart infrastructure
- Well-designed urban planning can reduce the need for extensive transportation, leading to lower emissions. Compact, mixed-use developments, efficient public transportation systems, and the creation of green spaces can contribute to sustainable urbanization and lower carbon footprints.
References:
