What is the theme for this year’s World Cities Day?
Theme: "Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalysing Local Action for Urban Sustainability."
Emphasizes the role of young people in driving sustainable practices in urban areas.
What led to India’s rapid urbanisation?
Urbanisation is largely driven by economic hardship, leading to migration from rural to urban areas, often referred to as "poverty-driven urbanisation."
COVID-19 revealed significant gaps in urban infrastructure and led to reverse migration trends.
Without a recent Census, estimates suggest around 40% of the population lives in urban areas, complicating planning efforts.
Unlike Western nations, India's urbanisation is not primarily due to industrialisation but rather economic challenges, compounded by the effects of deindustrialisation since the 1980s.
How big of a threat does climate change and rising inequality pose to urban growth?
Urban areas face pollution, flooding, and heat waves, significantly impacting livability.
Rapid urban growth has widened the gap between wealthy developments and the millions lacking basic services, with 40% of urban residents living in slums.
Most cities struggle with outdated plans and insufficient local governance, hindering effective responses to these threats.
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