How Enjoyable is Your City to Live In

The Alarming Decline of Urban Trees Raises Concerns

Newsreel Asia Insight #100
Jan. 11, 2024

The rapid urbanisation of India’s cities is leading to a significant environmental challenge: the loss of urban trees. In addition to environmental concerns, the reduction of green spaces also significantly affects public health, heritage and biodiversity, demanding immediate attention.

In an article, titled “Citizen Movements Try To Stem The Decimation of Urban India’s Trees, In Era Of Record Heat & Toxic Dust,” Article 14 reports that tens of thousands of trees have been lost to urban development projects in Indian cities, leading to soaring temperatures, deteriorating air quality and the destruction of both heritage and biodiversity.

Urban trees are more than just aesthetic elements; they are vital to maintaining ecological balance in our cities. They provide shade, improve air quality and are essential for urban wildlife. They also play a crucial role in mitigating urban heat islands, a phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities. The removal of trees, therefore, leads to higher energy consumption for cooling and increased health risks due to heat stress.

According to Article 14, citizen movements across India are taking a proactive stance against this environmental degradation. These movements are not mere protests; they are informed by science and data, advocating for a model of urban development that harmonises growth with ecological sustainability. These efforts highlight a crucial point: urban development and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive goals.

Despite some successes, many efforts to save urban trees do not succeed, the media outlet says, adding, however, that each attempt, whether successful or not, contributes to a broader understanding of the critical role trees play in urban ecosystems.

Addressing this issue requires a re-evaluation of our urban development strategies. The complexity of urban planning in India may stem from its jurisdiction falling under multiple authorities at various government levels, due to the country’s federal structure. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs formulates policies, plans, and standards for urban development and housing. Each state has its own department or ministry responsible for urban development and housing. Many states have established Urban Development Authorities for major cities or regions. At the local level, Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils are directly responsible for urban planning within their jurisdictions. There are also specialised agencies for certain aspects of urban planning, such as the Central Public Works Department, the Town and Country Planning Organisation and various state-level Public Works Departments.

If India adhered to the principles of urban planning, which are shaped by a blend of international guidelines, national policies and local regulations, we would not be discussing this issue.

India is a signatory to the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda, adopted at the Habitat III conference in 2016, and which outlines standards for sustainable urban development. India has also committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Although the importance of public input and the role of civil society organisations in shaping urban planning principles are increasingly acknowledged internationally to ensure that urban planning is responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community, the diminishing scope for protests in India restricts the capacity of ordinary citizens to make substantial contributions.

Some other internationally recognised urban planning principles include meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; considering the compatibility of different land uses to ensure a harmonious urban environment – which involves planning residential areas, commercial spaces, industries and recreational areas in a way that they complement rather than conflict with each other; and integrating green spaces, such as parks, gardens and tree-lined streets; considering the ability of cities to withstand and adapt to challenges such as climate change, natural disasters and economic shifts.

It can be stated that both central and state governments are tasked with the creation of cities that are not only functional and efficient but also sustainable, resilient and enjoyable places to live.