Abstract
The article discusses the progress of India in the pursuit of achieving Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. This is done through an assessment of challenges and opportunities raised by tension between modernization and the preservation of India’s rich heritage. Further assesses the consequences that the movement toward modernization has brought to the cultural landscape of India and its environmental consequences and sustainable urban development potential. Thereafter, recommendations are given for a balanced approach that will enable both aspects of heritage conservation and sustainable city-building.
Keywords: Sustainable Development, Communities, Environment, Heritage, Modernization.
Introduction
The vast and diverse urban terrain of India does pose a serious challenge in reaching the goal of sustainable development, especially in connection with SDG 11. This goal refers to creating an inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable city and community.[1] India’s rapid urbanization is projected to see over 600 million people living in cities by 2031, thus making it critical to address all the multifaceted issues created by this growth.[2] Urbanization in India is not just a shift in population demographics; it is a very complex change in infrastructure, socio-economic dynamics, and environmental conditions. The modern and heritage play in Indian cities is particularly marked because the forces that push towards modernization clash with the imperative of preserving rich cultural legacies.[3]
This article considers this crucial interaction, examining the potential to align the pursuit of modernization goals with India’s cultural heritage. It submits that the attainment of SDG 11 for India requires an integrationist approach which brings contemporary urban planning in sync with tradition and culture. Existing policies and initiatives towards sustainable urban development are thus assessed within this study to reflect the success as well as shortcomings of their implementation. Understanding the challenges brought about by the lack of proper infrastructure, environmental degradation, and social inequalities will help foster resilient urban environments. Ultimately, this study seeks to provide insights into effective strategies for promoting sustainable urbanization in India while honoring its historical context, thereby contributing to a more holistic understanding of urban development in the country.
[1] Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This goal is part of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and environmental degradation.
[2]Principal Author,2Corresponding Author1Sandhya Pathania, 2Ankit1Professor, 2 Research ScholarDepartment of Geography,Department of Geography,SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA: ASSESSING POLICIES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION (2001-2023),2023 IJCRT | Volume 11, Issue 6 June 2023 | ISSN: 2320-2882.
[3] Kanchana, R.A.C, Challenges of Urbanization towards Sustainable Development,2022/10/27.