Govt fostering culture of innovation in urban development: Hardeep Puri Devdiscourse.com
Calling urbanisation as one of the defining trends of the 21st century, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, said that the two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. “Cities are going to be central in achieving various global goals, particularly those related to sustainability and climate resilience”, he said. Speaking at launch of Urban Studies and Research Centre at Miranda House today, he said that more than 50% of India’s population, or 877 million people, will live in our cities and towns by 2050, according to the UN. By that time, he said, Indian cities will contribute to more than 75% of our GDP and also about 60% of our GHG emissions.
During the event, the Minister elaborated on the India’s journey of urban development. He talked about how the country has turned from reluctant urbaniser to a rapid urbaniser. Government’s comprehensive array of initiatives for urban rejuvenation have been instrumental in shaping a new urban narrative for the nation, he said.
