The India-UK PACT initiative has concluded its call for proposals focused on urban planning and mobility, aiming to foster climate-resilient development in India’s rapidly urbanizing cities. The program sought to integrate climate considerations into long-term urban strategies, particularly in Tier-2 cities facing significant growth and environmental challenges.
Key Takeaways
- The call for proposals for the India-UK PACT urban planning and mobility initiative has now closed, with a deadline of November 30, 2024.
- The program targets Tier-2 cities in India, specifically Erode and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, to enhance their capacity for climate-integrated urban planning and mobility.
- Funding aims to support projects that align with government strategies, promote public benefits, and contribute to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and improving urban livability.
Addressing India’s Urbanization Challenges
India is experiencing rapid urbanization, with its urban population projected to double by 2050. A significant portion of the necessary urban infrastructure for 2030 is yet to be built, and urban areas are major contributors to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the transport sector playing a significant role. Tier-2 cities, in particular, face acute challenges in urban planning and mobility due to rapid expansion and a limited focus on integrated, climate-resilient planning.
UK PACT’s Strategic Approach
Recognizing the potential for cities to drive economic growth while reducing emissions, UK PACT has identified urban planning and mobility as a key thematic priority. The initiative aims to embed climate mitigation strategies into city planning by leveraging data-driven decision-making, especially in the mobility sector, and creating an environment conducive to accessing climate finance. This approach is designed to support India’s Net-Zero by 2070 goals.
Focus on Tamil Nadu Cities
Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Tamil Nadu state government, Erode and Thoothukudi have been selected for direct support. These cities were chosen for their potential to strengthen institutional capacity in integrating climate considerations into urban planning, governance, and delivery. The program seeks to help these cities become hubs of sustainable economic growth and enhance human well-being through climate-proof development trajectories.
Project Themes and Objectives
The call for proposals sought initiatives under three key themes:
- Integrating Climate into City-Level Urban Plans: Developing climate-integrated urban planning and governance strategies that maximize mitigation and adaptation benefits, supported by capacity-building for city departments.
- Climate Data-Driven Approaches to Urban Planning and Mobility: Creating a data-driven framework for urban planning and mobility across key public services, utilizing existing data infrastructure.
- Access to Accelerated Climate Finance: Providing technical assistance to strengthen cities’ financial planning and budgeting processes to access climate finance for priority projects.
Projects were expected to be aligned with government policies, offer public benefits, and contribute to mitigating GHG emissions, thereby improving the productivity, livability, and accessibility for all citizens in these Indian cities.
