Urban planning needs a paradigm shift, says Kerala minister M.B. Rajesh

Urban planning and development need to make a paradigm shift to integrated mode by factoring in the entire gamut of issues, including climate change, amid fast-paced urbanisation across the world, Kerala Local Self Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh said on Friday. The minister was inaugurating the three-day National Town and Country Planners Conference, organised by the Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), New Delhi, with the support of the Local Self Government Department (LSGD), government of Kerala.

Addressing planners and policy-makers from across the country, Rajesh said planners need to redefine the way they are going about their job since sustainable and inclusive development is faced with big challenges.

“Urban planners should now look beyond the traditional approach. This includes evolving strategies to cope with climate change, by preparing plans both to cope with the larger issue and mitigate the immediate consequences, and other key issues like housing, waste management and resilient practices.”

Noting that the conference’s focal theme ‘Intelligent, Digital Spatial Planning and Governance’ is of increased relevance for the whole world, the minister said Kerala has made upfront initiatives in this regard.

Kerala constituted an urban policy commission, mandated to look into the entire spectrum of urban development. The commission has submitted its interim report and the suggestions it made will be reflected in the forthcoming budget, he said.

“The issues relating to urban development are of particular importance for Kerala since the whole state is an extended city where the urban-rural divide hardly exists. Kerala’s annual growth of urban population is almost double that of the county and global average.”

The state has also made remarkable strides in leveraging digital technology in planning and delivery of civic services, Rajesh said.

In a message read out to the conference, Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said it is vital to leverage innovative solutions in addressing the issues of local development, especially in the face of serious challenges like extreme weather events. He further said the state was committed to decentralised planning, which is important in local development.

In his message to the conference, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel said it is important to integrate new technology in urban planning and development.

Addressing the conference online, Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary LSGD, Govt of Kerala, said the state urban policy commission is looking into key issues like municipal fiscal health, housing and waste management in a scientific and sustainable manner.

Presiding over the inaugural session, ITPI president N.P. Patel emphasised the importance of strengthening collaborations among various regions and agencies to promote sustainable and inclusive developmental practices. He said ITPI has been onboarded by leading urban planning institutions in the country.

Minister Rajesh also released the ITPI souvenir and a set of books authored by planners from various states on the occasion.