Panellists discussed how technology can be leveraged to help in urban planning and expansion at the fifth edition of the IE Thinc: CITIES series, presented by The Indian Express with Omidyar Network India. The session was moderated by Udit Misra, Associate Editor
On potential of tech in urban planning
keshav verma: India has immense potential by fully leveraging urbanisation, which remains untapped. The challenges from the 1990s have intensified. To achieve a $10 trillion economy, we must transform urban youth profiles and create employment. Urbanisation in India is nearly 50 per cent, much lower than developed nations where rates exceed 75 per cent.
Delhi-NCR’s 30 million people face toxic air, reflecting governance failures. Vehicular pollution, especially two-wheelers, thermal plants, dust, factories and degradation of the Aravalis contribute significantly. Municipal commissioners must spend 70 per cent of their time on roads. Professionalising municipal systems is crucial, requiring MBAs, chartered accountants, environmental and civil engineers. Municipal corporations are often insulated and disconnected from the public. In Ahmedabad, we professionalised property tax systems, increasing revenue to 67 per cent. Municipal budgets are less than one per cent of a city’s GDP, leaving no room for generating significant income.
Traffic remains a major issue. AI could revolutionise parking systems and traffic management. For example, New York earns $546 million from traffic, whereas India earns nothing. Technology enables transparency and better governance, turning administration toward public needs. Lidar technology aids in understanding water systems and brownfield development potential, while social infrastructure impacts area marketing.
Key recommendations include filling 27 per cent of sanctioned positions, creating an all-India urban planning service, and updating outdated urban planning acts to address environmental sustainability, climate change and water sensitivity. Transformative change requires world-class planners, a national authority, and nurturing city-specific skills. Enhancing economic geographies and coastal city potential is vital. We must also reform governance by integrating businesses, industries, professionals and associations into local government.
On the role of tech in India’s urbanisation
Jagan Shah: One thing we must recognise about technology, especially digital technology, is that it forms the backbone of many transformations in Indian cities. Much of this technology is dematerialised, almost invisible due to its digital nature. Currently, we are using various technologies, including data sciences for ICT applications, material sciences for waste recovery and advanced methods for water recycling.
Technologies such as remote sensing and GIS-based planning are integral to urban development. Cities, particularly under the Smart Cities Mission, are leveraging these technologies for data collection, efficient transportation and citizen engagement. A successful example is Srinagar, a smart city utilising these innovations.
However, challenges remain. First, cities must efficiently measure their “metabolism,” monitoring operations like air quality and traffic flow through sensing technologies and data analysis. Second, platforms like Gatishakti, effective at national logistics management, should be adapted for a macro view of urban systems. With over 8,000 cities, understanding their economic interactions is crucial for growth.
Third, scaling these technologies requires market forces and private sector involvement. Currently, projects like Srinagar act as lighthouses but widespread implementation is necessary. The government must enable cities to partner with the private sector, fostering competition and innovation.
While progress is promising, much remains siloed. A tipping point is approaching where the impact of technology will significantly improve urban life. Continued efforts are needed to make these advancements more visible and scalable across the urban landscape.
On key concerns in the path to urbanisation
Anupam Kumar Singh: When we look at the challenges in the urban context, it’s not only the challenges which are related to urban planning or urban governance alone. There are challenges even in construction management and construction technology. When we see the overall urbanisation perspective, construction technology plays a significant role. Therefore, the challenges in this particular sphere of construction technology relate to a large number of construction projects that are happening at the city level.
Technologies are available to arrest this particular challenge. There are challenges related to sustainable building practices. We have more than a few lakhs square metre of space, which has been identified as site for green buildings. But when we look into the overall scenario of buildings, not just green field but brownfield projects as well, we find a less than optimal use of technology. This could align with sustainable building practices. There is air pollution and dust generated through construction. We are still relying on traditional practices — on sand and cement aggregate mix. The challenge lies in how to bring sustainable building practices into the urbanisation pattern.
On reasons why we get sub-optimal results
Shalini Agarwal : India has set an ambitious target to become a $30 trillion economy in the world by 2047. Cities will play the biggest role to fulfill this target. Today, 65 per cent of India’s GDP comes from the cities and you will be surprised that they occupy 3 per cent of our total land area. So, 65 per cent of GDP is coming from 3 per cent area of the country, which is expected to grow to 85 per cent by 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mentioned in one of his speeches that urban planning will decide the fate of cities in India and the fate of cities will in turn decide the fate of India. So, urban planning will be one of the most important pivots of urbanisation.
Now, when we are talking about urban governance, technology will play role in three ways.One, planning, implementation and monitoring. Second, we have to think about people. So, technology must be put it in such a way that it is accessible to people and works for their convenience. The third aspect is the way the urban local bodies work. Is their staff equipped with technology? Without technology, you can’t pace your development the way the cities are growing. So, technology and urban governance will have to be in tandem with each other.
On the reluctance to use technology
Keshav Verma : There is enthusiasm with regard to the potential of using technologies. But that enthusiasm is diluted because of lack of professionals in city governance. We don’t have professionals and we hire them on contract. There is this whole sprinkling of contracted professionals who come from one city and go to another. Therefore, there is a lack of intent to create in-house capacities, which is extremely important. For technology to become real, you need a professional platform which is in-house, to make it relevant to people.
If the PM says urban planning is going to catalyse economic development, then where are the urban planners? We’ve got to have them in place.
On tech-related solutions
Jagan Shah : A plethora of solutions is being applied to urban challenges. Waste water reuse is a national priority, with Surat leading in supplying recycled wastewater to industries in Hazira and Panipat following suit. Towns along the Ganga are scaling up these efforts, combining biotechnology and water transport technologies. Remote sensing supports transportation systems, while renewable energy, like solar and compressed biogas, is gaining traction. The Building Information Modelling code is being embedded in public contracts, paving the way for digital twins — data-rich simulations used for complex systems, initially developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Cities are beginning to adopt digital twins for urban management.
Command and control centres in smart cities became vital during COVID-19, acting as war rooms where data, AI and machine learning were used to understand the viral spread. Municipal portals now deliver services, address grievances and collect taxes, all driven by this technology. Miniaturisation is increasing reliance on handheld devices, from point-of-sale machines on buses to mobile navigation and payments.
Technology is no longer optional; it is essential for urbanisation and improving quality of life. However, its inefficient use remains a challenge. Cities must converge and integrate technologies, developing decision-support systems to analyse data and prioritise actions. Surveillance cameras enhance safety and traffic management, while early warning systems aid in flood control.
Technology must become ubiquitous, accessible and affordable, as there is no alternative path to progress. Integrating and scaling these solutions is critical to ensuring sustainable urban development and prosperity for all.
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