“Flagship urban missions such as Smart Cities and PMAY have transformed cityscapes but not necessarily urban lives”. Comment
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Q4. “Flagship urban missions such as Smart Cities and PMAY have transformed cityscapes but not necessarily urban lives”. Comment (10M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question: The effectiveness of India’s major urban development missions in achieving not just infrastructure upgrades but also inclusive, liveable, and sustainable urban transformation. Key Demand of the question: The question requires an evaluation of how Smart Cities Mission and PMAY have improved physical infrastructure and housing, while critically analysing their limitations in addressing inequality, urban poverty, and quality of life. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Briefly introduce the objectives of Smart Cities Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana as instruments of urban renewal and inclusive housing. Body: Transformation Achieved: Highlight improvements in infrastructure, technology-driven governance, and housing supply under both missions. Persistent Gaps: Discuss issues of affordability, displacement, unequal access to benefits, and lack of focus on informal settlements and livelihoods. Need for Holistic Approach: Suggest measures integrating social infrastructure, sustainability, and participatory urban governance. Conclusion: Conclude that sustainable urban transformation requires people-centric planning and inclusive development, not just physical modernization.
Why the question: The effectiveness of India’s major urban development missions in achieving not just infrastructure upgrades but also inclusive, liveable, and sustainable urban transformation.
Key Demand of the question: The question requires an evaluation of how Smart Cities Mission and PMAY have improved physical infrastructure and housing, while critically analysing their limitations in addressing inequality, urban poverty, and quality of life.
Structure of the Answer: Introduction:
Briefly introduce the objectives of Smart Cities Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana as instruments of urban renewal and inclusive housing.
• Transformation Achieved: Highlight improvements in infrastructure, technology-driven governance, and housing supply under both missions.
• Persistent Gaps: Discuss issues of affordability, displacement, unequal access to benefits, and lack of focus on informal settlements and livelihoods.
• Need for Holistic Approach: Suggest measures integrating social infrastructure, sustainability, and participatory urban governance.
Conclusion:
Conclude that sustainable urban transformation requires people-centric planning and inclusive development, not just physical modernization.