Page 39 - Shelter - April 2025

POLICY REVIEW

of their urban development vulnerable workers and for such interventions.
approaches. identify appropriate avenues Finally, enabling varied
The citywide implementation for developing public spaces stakeholders to work together
of social infrastructure and social infrastructure is crucial. Social infrastructure
appears daunting, but can for socialising, rest and offers the rare opportunity for
be simplified by borrowing interaction, while supporting urban local bodies, private
a page out of the popular informal workers at the landowners, community-
“15-minute city approach”, neighbourhood scale. owned enterprises, CSR
technical
foundations,
which places the community Cities must adopt a creative experts and investors
at the centre and imbibes playbook, drawing on tactical to collaboratively create
equity and inclusivity as core urbanism to leverage localised public goods that enhance
principles. The approach and, at times, even temporary the possibility of creating
can be used to prioritise opportunities, to demonstrate sustainable livelihoods and
underserved areas, design the positive effects of social delivering a higher quality of
streets and transport systems infrastructure and thereby life for those at the bottom of
that cater to the needs of generate longer-term demand the pyramid.

References

Chopra, D. (2023). Investments in childcare for gender equality in Asia and the Pacific’. Report, International Labour
Organization and Asian Development Bank.
Latham, A., & Layton, J. (2019). Social infrastructure and the public life of cities: Studying urban sociality and public
spaces. Geography Compass, 13(7), e12444.

Ortiz, C., & Duque Franco, I. Care as Urban Policy Domain: Enacting Bogota’s District Care System. Available at SSRN
4835210.

Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor
The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is an ambitious infrastructure project aimed at creating a world
class industrial zone along a 1,504-km stretch between Delhi, the national capital and Mumbai, India’s financial
hub. Spanning six states – Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra- the project
is designed to enhance industrial growth, foster urbanisation, and position India as global manufacturing hub.
With an estimated investment of USD 100 billion, the DMIC, is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the
world, promising to reshape India’s economic landscape.
The project spans a corridor of 150-200 km on both sides of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a high-
speed rail network that facilitates efficient movement of goods DFC, covering a total area of approximately 436,000
square kilometers. This region accounts for nearly 14% of India’s land area and contributes a significant portion of
the country’s industrial output. The DMIC aims to double employment, triple industrial output, and quadruple
exports in the region.
The corridor encompasses several key components, including nine mega industrial zones, high- speed freight
lines, three new ports, six greenfield airports, and a six lane expressway connecting Delhi and Mumbai. These
infrastructure projects are complimented by smart cities with integrated townships and state-of-the-art utilities,
including a 4,000 MW power plant and water supply systems to meet the demands of industrial and residential
developments.
One of the defining features of DMIC is its emphasis on sustainability through incorporation of green initiatives such
as energy efficient buildings, solar power plants rainwater harvesting systems and environmental conservation. The
economic impact of DMIC is expected to be immense. The project aims to generate over three million jobs during
its construction and operational phases significantly boosting employment in the region. The corridor’s enhanced
connectivity and logistics infrastructure will reduce transportation costs, making Indian goods more competitive in
the global markets.

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