Page 45 - Shelter - April 2023
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POLICY REVIEW
development that meets the (IPCC) also established the cities in fact do not have
needs of present generation that humans and terrestrial the property level coverage of
without compromising the systems were going to face sewerage systems and sewage
ability of future generations to the consequences of a rapid transport systems. Waste
meet their own needs’ (WCED rise in surface temperature management (collection,
1987). Initially, sustainable (or, global warming) in many treatment and disposal)
development was seen rather different ways (Ninan 2022). is ill-organised (although
as taking care of natural This could be in the form of recycling/reuse takes place
resources and environment increased frequency of floods, informally) in Indian cities.
through appropriate national intense rainfall, coastal Further, Indian cities are
sectoral strategies with little inundation, cyclone storm planned such that they
action at local level. The events, heat and cold waves promote profligatory use of
UNCED (1992) paved the etc. Therefore, sustainable natural resources (land, water
way for global cooperation to development began to and energy); the modern
protect natural environment encompass those actions that concepts of ‘compact city’
and prevent adverse impacts are linked to attaining energy or ‘smart city’ development
of human activities at various efficiency, emission reduction are still alien to many Indian
levels. However, the global and resource conservation. cities. Transportation in Indian
agenda for sustainable India has been on the carbon cities is also increasingly
development did not much emission rise path although its being driven by personal
translate into action at local levels of per capita emissions vehicle use and travel
level, especially at the level are far below that of global distances are getting longer
of cities. Cities continued average. However, India has because of the expansion of
to reel under the various been facing the consequence cities. Transportation (public
development pressures from of global warming recently transport in particular) in
rising urban population – with the incidence of Indian cities is inefficient that
poor basic civic services like increased frequency of floods, causes great discomfort and
water supply, sewerage, intense rainfall, cyclone storm takes away a lot of productive
waste management, energy, events, heat and cold waves work hours and energy of
roads and transport, poor etc. travellers.
shelter and living conditions
and pollution of air, water Indian cities already face The quality of life in cities is
and biological environment. water shortage during dependent upon the level
summer, which is becoming of services and the delivery
Meanwhile, the acute in the recent times of which holds the key to
understanding of global with a high dependence availability of vital urban
climate change due to Green on tanker water. This can services like water supply,
House Gas (GHG) emissions affect urban household sanitation, sewerage, parks
has changed the course of water supply status, on and open spaces, roads,
sustainable development which India has made transport, education, health
from natural environment some improvements. India and several other local
to human systems, which also has severe wastewater services (Nallathiga 2007).
were causing the GHG management issues with All of them determine the
emissions. The successive most cities not having habitability conditions of
Reports of Inter Government any wastewater treatment the city and the basic quality
Panel on Climate Change systems installations. Most of of life provided to the
April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 43
