India is undergoing a rapid urban transformation, with nearly half of its population projected to reside in urban areas by 2050.
The number of urban households is expected to increase from about 10 Crore in 2021 to nearly 21 Crore by 2047. This accelerated growth will exert significant pressure on existing urban infrastructure, particularly in congested and aging urban cores such as central business districts, historic precincts and inner-city neighbourhoods.
These areas require innovative and well-planned redevelopment to unlock economic potential, enhance liveability and accommodate future demand.
Urban Local Bodies are the primary institutions responsible for planning, implementing and maintaining urban infrastructure and delivering civic services under various Central and State Sponsored Schemes.
However, despite substantial public investments, implementation outcomes remain uneven due to persistent institutional, technical and financial capacity constraints across nearly 5,000 ULBs, particularly in small and medium towns.