Healthy Cities

Nearly one-third of India’s urban population live in slums, informal settings or sidewalk tents, which are characterised by overcrowding, poor hygiene, sanitation, absence of proper civic services and fuelled by basic health infrastructure and healthcare service delivery. 

Main issues that require attention if health services for the urban poor are to be improved and made more accessible are while inadequate health facilities maybe partly responsible for the poor health status of slum dwellers the answer does not lie in simply providing more services. Although it is extremely important to invest in more services like reorienting and sensitising doctors, additional beds in government hospitals, well equipped dispensaries and maternity clinics near slums and settlements inhabited by the poorer sections; focus needs to be on accepting and understanding that although medical facilities for the urban poor are both inadequate and the poor have limited access, the poor can avail of the same in cities that are not available to them in the villages; and a demand for such services must be identified and this demand must be fulfilled keeping in mind the felt needs of the poor.

Optimal urban governance helps the health sector, in promoting and planning for hygienic living conditions; building inclusive cities that are accessible and making cities resilient to emergencies like epidemics. A synergy between the urban local bodies, state and central government is needed to engage on quality research to generate and systematise knowledge to address many existing information gaps. 

The inequities of health disaggregated by intra-urban area; the effectiveness of proactive approaches to deal with health inequity in cities; and the importance of involving all citizens in the decisions that affect their habitat and their health is crucial. Also, it is imperative to maintain this momentum of creating clean, green and healthy cities to live in. 

Urban health advocates should identify successful models to be shared as menus of policy options and models of good practice. Improvement in public health infrastructure, schemes for reaching out to the urban poor, facilitation of development of community’s negotiation capacity for increasing demand for maternal and child health services and improved access to health care are necessary. It is therefore imperative that urban health receives due attention and is accompanied by coordinated actions from all stakeholders and more importantly, a strong political commitment for addressing the growing problems of the urban poor.

Ahmedabad : Heritage Meets Greener, Sportier Future

 

Cities Crumbling Under a Flood of Irregularities

 

“Water finds its own level… only God knows the truth,” say the elders. When continuous rains lash the land, floodwaters naturally flow into nearby lakes, ponds, and other water bodies. These serve to meet the drinking and irrigation needs of local communities. They also play a crucial role in replenishing groundwater, reducing heat, and preserving biodiversity. But what happens when these lifelines of nature fall prey to land grabbers? If they disappear, won’t human life be thrown into chaos? Unfortunately, that is exactly what’s happening today in many of our so-called “concrete jungles.”

With rising temperatures and climate change, torrential downpours have become more frequent in recent years. As a result, densely populated Indian cities are finding themselves caught in the grip of floods. Roads overflow with rainwater, traffic comes to a standstill for kilometers, and residents are forced to suffer miserably. What can be done to prevent this? There must be proper drainage for rainwater, and above all, local water bodies must be protected like the apple of one’s eye. But who is really paying attention to that?

In recent years, the real estate sector has taken off dramatically. With urban migration increasing, every inch of land within city limits has turned into a golden asset. Consequently, the eyes of land sharks have fallen on lakes and ponds. Politicians — more interested in profit than in public welfare — are backing these encroachments, while corrupt officials, ever hungry for bribes, look the other way.

As a result, in places like Puppalaguda, Miyapur, and Moosapet in Hyderabad, massive buildings worth hundreds of crores have been built right on top of lakebeds. With the support of politicians and officials, illegal builders continue their activities without fear. The innocent buyers who purchase these houses later find their neighborhoods submerged during heavy rains.

According to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, as many as 38,000 water bodies across the country have been encroached upon — most of them in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The destruction of these lakes and ponds has not only damaged the local water systems but also wasted crores of rupees spent on infrastructure and worsened the urban environment, pushing cities further into a dark future.

Even middle-class and affluent residential areas — colonies and gated communities — are now facing flooding problems. The lack of proper drainage routes for rainwater is the main cause. Traditional flood channels and lake outlets that existed for hundreds of years have been encroached upon or filled in, leading to recurring floods.

Encroachments on water bodies and the rise of illegal constructions around them are the root causes of floods and waterlogging. Recognizing this, the Supreme Court and various High Courts have issued several judgments against such encroachments. Governments too have vowed to act strictly in this regard.

However, despite strong laws, implementation remains weak. The encroachments of lakes, ponds, and rivers are severely affecting the environment. Governments must enforce existing laws effectively and take stringent measures to eliminate illegal constructions and land grabs to protect the nation’s vital water resources.