Need for a More Integrated Approach
Rapid urbanization means many areas now straddle urban and rural characteristics, necessitating a unified approach.
Integrated strategies are crucial for managing areas with overlapping urban and rural features, such as peri-urban zones and urban villages.
Coordinated planning is required for infrastructure that serves both urban and rural needs, improving overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Challenges with Current Policy Framework
Financial centralization reduces local autonomy, hampering tailored local responses to urban and rural issues.
Separate programs for urban and rural areas lead to inefficiencies, especially in regions with mixed characteristics.
Tied grants restrict flexibility, making it difficult for areas that combine urban and rural traits to access adequate resources.
Current policies fail to address the fluid nature of urban and rural areas, leading to gaps in services and infrastructure
Way Forward
Develop joint infrastructure projects, such as combined waste management systems, to address both urban and rural needs.
Strengthen District Planning Committees to enhance integrated urban-rural management and local decision-making.
Update financial and policy frameworks to support flexible and integrated planning, allowing for a more holistic approach.
Encourage adaptable funding models and policies that can respond to the evolving urban-rural landscape
Foster coordination between urban and rural local bodies to streamline development efforts and address overlapping issues more effectively.
COMMENTS