Addressing Urban Challenges and Enhancing Sustainability: The Aspirational Cities Program (Akankshi Nagar Yojana) in Uttar Pradesh, India

Imtiyaz Ali, Akanshi Nagar Yojana, Urban Development Department, Uttar Pradesh

Urban policy and planning are crucial for developing livable cities and safeguarding residents' rights. In Uttar Pradesh, the focus on sustainable urban planning is concentrated on the 100 most underdeveloped cities, aiming to improve resilience, living standards, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability. With the state’s urban population currently at 27% and projected to reach 40% in five years, significant development is necessary. A selection of 100 cities from 762 was made based on criteria including slum population, infrastructure, climate, municipal services, civic amenities, health services and mobility, using through range equalization methods. This selection spans 38 districts, affecting about 2.4 million households and 13 million individuals. Despite these efforts, challenges persist: only 10.3% of households have piped water, stormwater drainage covers just 19% of roads, and health infrastructure is insufficient, with fewer than one public hospital bed per 1,000 people. These deficiencies contribute to migration driven by limited economic opportunities. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched the Aspirational Cities program, a pioneering initiative in India. The program aims to enhance infrastructure, education, healthcare, municipal services, and environmental conditions while integrating multiple government schemes to achieve holistic development through a convergence approach.

Keywords: Population and Development, Population Policies, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

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