Green dreams

India should follow New York City's example and create green cities for its growing urban populations, writes the Times of India.

Times of India

New York City plans to transform itself into a green metropolis over the next 10 years. Many cities in Europe also have similar visions for their future. Do we have such ideas for our cities? Remember, by 2050, half of India's population is likely to be living in cities. Much needs to be done, and urgently, if our cities are not to crumble further under the weight of teeming millions.

Urban governance has to improve dramatically if our cities are to be revived and readied to absorb new migrants. The present urban development model is unlikely to help. Our cities need to be governed differently and that calls for a new political culture of urbanity and citizen-friendly administration. We need to think in terms of urban local governments that have political and financial powers to govern cities. A Michael Bloomberg can realise his dream to transform New York into a green polis because he, as the mayor, has the political mandate and financial resources to make it happen. Despite the 74th amendment to the Constitution that sought decentralisation of many administrative powers to urban bodies, city governments in India continue to be mere appendages of central and state governments. …