Scripting a new vision for Urban Development

Socrates gave us the building blocks of philosophy but few know that he also expounded urban development: “By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.”

The Greek philosopher underlined the role of imagination and innovation in creating and controlling settlements so that they become engines of growth, shaping not only the future of the city and the nation but ultimately that of mankind.

From the once scattered hubs of humanity, Indian cities today are a fantastic fusion of diverse cultures, connectivity and commerce. And the epitome of urbanisation in India is Maharashtra, while the premier Indian city --`Urbs prima in Indis’ -- is none other than its capital, Mumbai.

Just like Rome was not built in a day, so wasn’t Mumbai and so weren’t the rest of Maharashtra’s robust cities -- Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur, Solapur, Aurangabad, Thane, Navi Mumbai… to name a few.

Thanks to the fact that almost half its population lives in urban areas, Maharashtra’s cities hold a huge global appeal, offering as they do, unparalleled business opportunities, best-in-class connectivity, reputed educational institutions, advanced medicare, a rich heritage and a superior quality of life.

This is not happenchance but the result of foresight, planning and hard work decade after decade by Maharashtra’s enlightened leadership and its capable bureaucrats, especially those in the Urban Development Department. 

Town planners, local self-government bodies and institutions such as CIDCO, MMRDA, Mumbai Metro etc -- all working under the guidance of the Urban Development Department -- can take pride in the fact that Maharashtra’s cities have not crumbled under the pressure of population influx and neither have they disappointed the dream-chaser.

Now, Maharashtra, like the rest of the world, is faced with the challenge of coping with Corona. As the state embarks on an uncharted course in New Urbanism with livability, health and happiness as its guiding stars, the man at the helm is Shri Eknath Shinde, minister for Urban Development.

Shri Shinde is bringing the same people-centric approach to urbanisation that he demonstrated during the two Covid waves; in the aftermath of the flash floods in Konkan; in expediting infrastructure projects in the backward district of Gadchiroli, of which he is the guardian minister; in offering surrendered Naxalites a fresh start; in the renewal of Thane, his home-town. Shri Shinde’s able second-in-command is Prakajt Tanpure, minister of state for Urban Development.

Transformative plans are already in place to re-invent the urban space: Cluster redevelopment of neglected city boroughs, enabling fossil-free transport, basic services to the urban poor, business parks etc.

Slowly and steadily the Urban Development Department, -- under the stewardship of its vastly experienced principal secretaries, Bhushan Gagrani (UD-1) and Mahesh Pathak (UD-2) -- is scripting a new vision of sustainable development: Improved housing, upgraded connectivity, efficient civic services etc. 

Socrates would surely approve of the urbanisation of Maharashtra and the human potential it has unleashed.