70% jobs will come from growth centres: World Bank

Mumbai: Indian cities hold tremendous potential as centres of economic growth with 70 percent of new jobs coming from cities by 2030, according to a World Bank report.

“The imperative for India to build resilient cities at scale is clear. By investing in more green and resilient urban development—including housing, transport, and municipal services – cities can better mitigate extreme heat conditions and urban floods, and continue to grow and create jobs,” said Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank Country Director.

At the same time, intense heat waves and urban heat island effects are already causing temperatures in city centres to rise by over 3-4 degrees over surrounding areas. The rapid growth of built-up areas is also reducing cities’ capacity to absorb storm water, making them more vulnerable to floods.

The report titled - Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India - prepared in close collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, states that with India’s urban population expected to almost double by 2050 to 8213 crore, more than 144 million new homes will be needed by 2070.

The report was supported by a multi-donor trust fund, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), according to a press statement.

The new report, which studied 24 Indian cities, with a special focus on Chennai, Indore, New Delhi, Lucknow, Surat and Thiruvananthapuram, finds that timely adaptation can avert billions of dollars of annual losses from future weather-related shocks. For example, annual pluvial flood-related losses can be averted and can amount to $5 billion by 2030, and $30 billion by 2070. Investments in adaptation will also save over 130,000 lives from extreme heat impacts by 2050.

With over 50 percent of the urban infrastructure required for 2050 still to be built, India has a critical opportunity to drive resilient urban infrastructure development.

“Many Indian cities are showing the way to improve adaptation measures, benefit from good practices and fast track actions towards resilient urban growth,” said Asmita Tiwari and Natsuko Kikutake, co-authors of the report. “Timely interventions will help India’s cities continue to safeguard lives and properties, attract new businesses and jobs, and drive innovation.”

The report cites how several cities in India are already taking urgent steps to build resilience.

Ahmedabad has developed a Heat Action Plan model which aims to strengthen early warning systems, improve healthcare readiness, increase green cover and shift work schedules for outdoor labourers.

Kolkata has adopted a city-level flood forecasting and warning system.

Indore has invested in a modern solid waste management system, improving cleanliness and supporting green jobs.

Chennai has adopted a climate action plan based on thorough risk assessment and targeting both adaptation and low-carbon growth.