Page 6 - HUDCO-SHELTER-April22
P. 6
THEME PAPER
settlements, and the need URBANIZATION IN economic reforms. The pace
for a multi-disciplinary and INDIA AND CHINA: AN of the same is forecasted
multi-sectoral approach, as OVERVIEW to rise to achieve 50% of
highlighted by a recent NITI its population in urban
1
Aayog Report . The Report While urbanization has settlements by 2045 (Figure
also highlight’s a central sector the potential of being the 1). China has experienced
scheme - 500 Healthy Cities powerhouse of development rapid urbanization post its
Programme’ – recommended and large-scale prosperity, yet opening up of the economy
by its Advisory Committee, there are a few fundamental in 1982. This will not be
as “Every city must aspire to human development sustained and will modestly
become a ‘healthy city for all’ by challenges, especially if the increase to reach over 70% of
2030.” process of urbanization is urbanization.
unplanned. For instance,
Owing to the rapid economic exacerbation of economic Urbanization in India
growth and urbanization disparities and unsanitary
in China, human welfare conditions because of poor When compared to China,
India has been conservative
has risen, socio-economic urban infrastructure - such
inequality has widened, as unreliable water supply, in its urbanization, with its
and the environment and its power systems, congested policies being less foresighted
capacity are under severe roads and poor public and more reaction-based. As
pressures. The impact is so transport, inefficient ports per the 2011 Census of India,
the total urban population in
detrimental that it is advised and inadequate schools, etc.
to move from maximizing (Palanivel, 2017). the country is more than 377
economic development million, constituting 31% of
towards improving India has undergone gradual the total population. The total
environmental quality. urbanization post the 1991 number of urban households
Recently, the literature is
rife with articles on China’s Figure 1: Projection of Population Living in Urban Areas, 1950-2045
housing bubble about to burst
owing to the rising growth
rate in house prices over the
last decades and speculative
markets. Moreover, the global
media has also reported about
several ghost towns and
projects associated with the
same.
This article provides an
analysis of the urbanization
and urban housing policies
of India and China towards
how both nations can be the
torchbearers of an urban
housing revolution and 1 Government of India. 2021. Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India: Final
inclusive and sustainable Report, September 2021. NITI Aayog. Available at: https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/
habitat. default/files/2021-09/UrbanPlanningCapacity-in-India-16092021.pdf
4 HUDCO-HSMI Publication
