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First in India: Kerala Adopts Landmark Urban Policy
18 Feb
Summary
- Kerala, India's first state, ratified a 25-year urban development policy.
- The policy addresses rapid urbanization and climate change impacts.
- It promotes civic reforms, citizen participation, and a circular economy.
Kerala has made history by becoming the first Indian state to ratify a forward-looking urban development policy. This significant roadmap charts the state's urban growth trajectory for the next quarter-century, addressing critical challenges expected with a projected 80% urban population by 2050. The policy aims to integrate climate resilience and disaster preparedness into all aspects of urban planning.
Recognizing Kerala's vulnerability to floods, landslides, and coastal erosion, the policy mandates hazard analysis and long-term climate projections for resilient infrastructure. It also calls for a climate finance mechanism to support green projects and withstand extreme weather events. Civic reforms are a key focus, including reclassifying local bodies and forming metropolitan planning committees for improved efficiency.
The policy champions a citizen-centric governance framework, institutionalizing public participation through digital platforms and grievance redressal systems. Performance monitoring and the integration of GIS and AI are planned to enhance decision-making and service delivery. Furthermore, Kerala is set to embrace a circular economy model to foster carbon-neutral cities and create new green economic opportunities by transforming waste management systems.
