Urban Innovations and Best Practices: Urban Development Policy of India (Part 2) - Corridor Densification by Floor Space Index-linked Land Use Control and Infrastructure Financing Mechanism

Abstract

Cities in India have been the “engine of economic growth.” But realizing future economic growth hinges on whether or not Indian cities can be made more efficient, livable, inclusive, and competitive. To achieve this, it is essential to strengthen urban governance and management through greater decentralization and enhanced accountability, and establish appropriate delivery mechanisms and regulatory frameworks for various urban infrastructure and services. In the urban transport sector, continuing urbanization and surging economic growth have led to an inevitable rise in ownership and use of private motorized vehicles across cities, placing heavy pressures on the available transport infrastructure and on the institutions responsible for road construction and maintenance, traffic management, traffic safety, and providing public transport services. Congestion and over-stretched urban transport systems are making commuting increasingly more time consuming and often unsafe and, as a result, negatively impacting the urban efficiency. Air pollution is increasing. Fuel wasted due to this inefficiency also results in more greenhouse gas (GHG) emission that contributes to global warming/climate change.