India has the second largest urban population globally. The transformation from rural to urban was observed for the first time in the 2011 Census, wherein the absolute growth in urban population at 91 million exceeded the rural population at 90.4 million. With a total of 7935 Statutory Towns (STs) and Census Towns (CTs) - these urban areas will increase in the forthcoming Census (yet to be scheduled) and transform India’s growth trajectory in the years to come. While India’s urban destiny needs to be redefined, retrofitted, recalibrated and decentralised in the true sense, this requires a surfeit of innovative interventions and an interdisciplinary approach - in a timely manner, to enhance not only livability - with better delivery of services, but at the same time accruing the economies of scale concerning agglomeration economies contributing to the growth saga.
The world's future is urban, with India lagging in this regard. There is a need to catch up with other emerging middle-income economies, alongside addressing the issues of “messy, hidden and reluctant” urbanization. Foremost, India will build capacity to solve urban challenges related to solid waste management, lack of metropolitan finance, ineffective and poor urban mobility, infrastructure, environment and climate change - attempting to solve these issues intertwined with urban governance.
To address these issues from an academic and practitioner perspective, the Symbiosis Centre for Urban Studies (SCUS) was established under Symbiosis International (Deemed University) in January 2022. Various faculties and departments within Symbiosis International (Deemed University), such as Engineering, Economics, Law, Management, and Medicine, would collaborate to conduct research with the help of a multi-disciplinary approach towards Urban Studies.
SCUS is committed to solving the above-mentioned issues with the help of multi-stakeholders discussions, dialogues to steer urban development, and adhering to Sustainable Development Goals- creating a framework for sustainable cities and communities and making our cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
…an impactful drive towards India@2047
