Engaging informal workers in city-level planning processes requires inclusive, participatory, and context-sensitive strategies. Here’s how:
1. Recognize and Legitimize Their Role:
• Acknowledge informal workers (e.g. street vendors, waste pickers, domestic workers) as key contributors to the urban economy.
• Ensure they are formally represented in urban policy dialogues and planning committees.
2. Use Participatory Methods:
• Conduct focus groups, community meetings, and participatory mapping exercises in locations where informal workers operate.
• Use accessible formats (local languages, visual aids) to encourage meaningful input.
3. Partner with Worker Organizations:
• Collaborate with unions, cooperatives, and NGOs that represent informal workers.
• These groups can act as bridges between planners and workers, helping voice concerns and propose workable solutions.
4. Create Feedback Channels:
• Set up continuous feedback loops (e.g. town halls, digital platforms, surveys) to include informal workers in ongoing planning processes.
• Ensure follow-up so workers see the impact of their input.
5. Pilot Inclusive Solutions:
• Co-design and test policies with worker input—like designated vending zones, storage facilities, or sanitation access.
• Use pilots to build trust and demonstrate mutual benefits.
6. Build Capacity and Awareness:
• Offer training to informal workers on their rights, city policies, and how to engage in planning.
• Train planners and officials to understand and respect the needs of informal workers.

This inclusive approach leads to more equitable, effective urban policies that support both economic resilience and social justice.

We need a rational way to rank and defer. Have you built any project scoring frameworks?

Issuing municipal bonds can improve ULB finances and improve city infrastructure by involving various stakeholders.

Before issuing municipal bonds, ULBs should have a decent credit rating, strengthen their finances, follow necessary disclosure norms, select infrastructure projects to be financed with bonds backing and getting approvals from required authority like SEBI.

The process of issuing municipal bonds should include preparation of offer documents for the investors, comply with SEBI’s Issue and Listing of Municipal Debt Securities Regulations, 2015 and list on stock exchanges, issue the bond for a standard timeline like 5-10 years and then market the bond to increase visibility.

After issuing the bond establish a Debt Service Reserve Account (DSRA) for repayment assurance.

The rigid Census Town criteria should be updated to include indicators like access to urban services, land use patterns, and satellite-based proxies such as night-time lights. Use of online dashboards to keep a track of such services. Integrating remote sensing and GIS data would allow real-time tracking of urban sprawl beyond the 10-year census cycle. Digipin can be helpful in this direction. Introducing a new category like “transitional towns” or “urbanising areas” would help formally acknowledge regions in flux. Harmonising urban definitions across ministries—Census, Urban Affairs, Panchayati Raj—would reduce policy inconsistencies. The Census should also incorporate mid-decade urban updates or rolling surveys, supported by digital tools and citizen engagement. Consultation with state government and local planning bodies for verifying urban transitions on the ground. A provision should be added to remove the status of urban area in case they fail to provide basic amenities like access to potable water, toilets etc.

In 2020, the Government of India launched the India Cycles4Change Challenge to inspire over 100 cities to become cycling havens. This is in line with the vision of National Urban Transport Policy (2006) that encourages cities to promote greener modes of transport like cycling. A shift to cycling, even for short trips, can result in an annual benefit of 1.8 trillion1 to the national economy, and reduce traffic congestion and
pollution. Cycling can also improve physical health and mental well-being, especially during these trying times.

107 cities signed up for the India Cycles4Change Challenge. In the past year, they adopted a new mantra of engaging with citizens and testing innovative, inexpensive, and quick ideas to remove barriers to cycling. They have transformed the national programme into a city-led but community-driven movement.

THE IMPACT OF CYCLES4CHANGE:
• 50+cities conducted events to build community support
• 400+ km of main roads identified for transformation
• 3500+ km of neighbourhood streets identified for transformation
(Reference: https://mohua.gov.in/indiacyclechallenge/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/A-Dawn-of-a-Cycling-Revolution-Publication.pdf#:~:text=In 2020%2C the Government of India launched,promote greener modes of transport like cycling.)

The Streets for People-pathways of change from India's Smart Cities, developed under the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, provides a comprehensive list of interventions adopted by cities to re-design the indian street scapes to mainstream active mode of transportation. The book can be viewed here: https://itdp.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Streets-For-People-Publication.pdf

As Indian cities grow rapidly, reimagining sidewalks and plazas with simple, sustainable green elements has become essential. From moss-filled pavement cracks to community-managed planter walls, such interventions not only beautify urban spaces but also support climate resilience, public health, and civic engagement—especially when aligned with national urban renewal schemes.

1. MIYAWAKI-style Microforests in Urban Corners (e.g., Pune, Chennai)
What was done: Miyawaki forests of dense native species (neem, jamun, amla, peepal) were planted in tiny plots near schools, sidewalks, and housing society corners.

The Mahakumbh Miyawaki:
Around 56,000 sq. meters of Dense Forests created in Prayagraj in last two years using Miyawaki Technique

Garbage dumps transformed into lush green forests, aiding environmental conservation, as part of Mahakumbh 2025
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Impact:

Created green lungs in congested areas. Urban Heat Island Effect Mitigation Within 2–3 years, they attracted birds and pollinators, enhancing biodiversity. Inspired citizen-led planting drives in adjacent sidewalks and traffic islands.

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2.LIVING WALLS OR VERTICAL GREENERY SYSTEMS

.India: Mumbai – Sion Railway Station Vertical Gardens

What was done: Vertical green walls using recycled bottles and crates were installed on station pillars and walls using creepers like money plant, philodendron, and ferns.

Technique: Modular vertical garden panels irrigated through drip systems.

Impact:

Cooled down harsh concrete spaces. Encouraged similar initiatives in other parts of the city. Reduced dust and noise levels by acting as a soft barrier.

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https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_Landscaping_vertical gardening.html

3. CRACK GARDENING
In India, an initiative for crack gardening was taken in Church Street in Bengaluru, where porous paving and rain-friendly surfaces allowed native species like Tridax procumbens, Portulaca oleracea, and small ferns to thrive without much intervention. These hardy plants were not planted traditionally but allowed to self-seed or were lightly scattered along the pavement margins. Over time, they softened the urban landscape, created cooler microclimates, and encouraged passersby to pause, observe, and engage with the environment in unexpected ways.

4. EDIBLE SIDEWALK BORDERS IN AUROVILLE( Tamilnadu)
In Auroville, Tamil Nadu, edible borders have been developed along footpaths near the Visitor’s Centre and Solar Kitchen. Residents grow Tulsi, Amaranthus, mint, and curry leaves in narrow soil strips, promoting food sustainability and encouraging interaction with nature. Passersby could pluck herbs; encouraged conversations on food sustainability and urban agriculture

5. HANGING POTS OF GOA
Panaji’s Latin Quarter, Fontainhas, integrates heritage and greenery through decorative hanging pots filled with Pothos and Bougainvillea, adding charm and cooling shade to narrow alleys.

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6. THE BAMBOO
Guwahati uses locally crafted bamboo screens with potted Areca palms and Syngonium in public waiting areas, not only greening bus bays but also promoting regional craftsmanship.

7.UPCYCLED POTS/ FLOWER BEDS
Pune has seen an artistic approach where old tires are painted and repurposed into ground-level flower beds in residential areas like Kothrud and Erandwane. These contain Petunias, Marigold, and Coleus, enhancing curb appeal while also subtly calming traffic.

8. GREENS AND URBAN ART
In Delhi, around Lodhi Colony, the NGO St+art India Foundation combined wall art with vertical climbers like Money Plant and Clerodendrum, integrating culture and green infrastructure in a high-density area.

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9. SHADES OF GREEN TO HERITAGE
Lucknow has revived historical stepwells and pathways near Imambaras by lining them with medicinal plants like Ashwagandha, Lemongrass, and Brahmi, linking wellness with green public space.

10. SMART AND LUSH
Kohima, under the Smart Cities Mission, has initiated community plant-sharing walls, where residents contribute cuttings and saplings like Succulents, Snake Plants, and Coleus into shared planters along steps and plazas, creating a collective sense of care.

Common Design Tips for Sidewalk or Plaza Greening:

Use native, hardy species for low maintenance and high survival.(Neem, peepal) Integrate drip irrigation or greywater reuse systems.( Delhi's bridges) Modular planters allow flexibility in narrow or busy sidewalks. Vertical gardens work well in space-starved zones(Under bridges) Street tree pits (with grates) can host large shade trees without obstructing walking paths

With over 43% of India’s population projected to live in urban areas by 2035, greening public spaces is critical. The aforementioned initiatives demonstrate how low-cost, local solutions can enhance urban liveability. Under the Smart Cities Mission (covering 100 cities) and AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), cities are incorporating nature-based solutions for climate resilience and citizen well-being. Combined with community participation and Swachh Bharat’s focus on clean, healthy spaces, these green elements align with SDG 11, making Indian cities more inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to local ecology.

Faecal sludge (FS) can be estimated using two primary methods:
a. Generation-Based Estimation: This method estimates the volume of sludge generated based on user numbers and accumulation rates. It is particularly useful for planning in areas without regular desludging data.

Formula for estimation is based on the following factors:
Faecal Sludge Generation (L/year) = No. of users × Accumulation rate (L/person/year)
Containment Type
Typical Range (L/person/year)

Type of containment: Septic tank (with soak pit)
Typical Range (L/person/year): 30–40
Source: https://forum.susana.org/214-vault-content-research-and-faecal-sludge-characteristics/22270-sludge-accumulation-rate-in-septic-tank?utm

Type of containment: Fully sealed septic tank
Typical Range (L/person/year): 50–70 Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/water/articles/10.3389/frwa.2023.1130081/full?utm

Type of containment: Pit latrine (lined)
Typical Range (L/person/year): 40–60
Source: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-33-4114-2_27?utm

The value accumulation value can be adopted based on the context adapted in the region, in Indian context, a report published by Centre for Science and Environment, suggest the accumulation rate varies between 70 to 150 litres/person/year. Therefore, any value falling between these upper and lower limits can be considered.

Example:
A 5-member household using a sealed septic tank:
5 (persons)× 60 (L/person/year)= 300 L/year
Over 5 years: 1,500 Litres

b. Collection-Based Estimation:
This method uses actual desludging records from vacuum trucks or manual operators. It measures how much FS is collected and transported, rather than what is theoretically produced.
Formula:
FS Collected (L/HH/year) = (Total Desludged volume (L))/[(Household Served x Years since last emptying)]
A vacuum truck removes 3,000 L from a household every 5 years:
FS Generation = 3000 / 5 = 600 L / year / household

Use terrain-friendly vehicles like mini tippers or e-rickshaws to navigate steep, narrow paths, as done in Mussoorie, where compact electric vehicles are used for waste collection. Implement cluster-based collection zones for better coverage of scattered households, such as in Dharamshala, which manages hilly wards with team-wise route zoning. Engage local communities and SHGs in supervision and outreach, following the example of Sikkim, where village panchayats actively oversee collection and awareness. Promote source segregation with incentives like discounts and spot fines, as in Mcleodganj, where households use color-coded bins for wet and dry waste. Set up fixed collection points in inaccessible areas, a practice used in Manipur’s hill districts, where bins are installed near roadheads for manual or trolley-based pickup. Use GPS and mobile apps to track vehicles and ensure timely collection, as seen in Shimla, where the Smart City app monitors routes and responds to complaints. Train sanitation workers on terrain handling and provide safety gear, as done in Nainital, where workers are equipped for collection on steep slopes and during monsoons. Encourage backyard composting of kitchen waste to reduce load on collection systems, like in Gangtok, where households receive compost kits and training from local bodies. Promote the use of biodegradable and recyclable materials by restricting single-use plastic and encouraging cloth bags, a successful approach adopted in Spiti Valley and Sikkim. Use of incentives for hospitality sector to collect and segregate waste related to tourists. Tourists should be encouraged to carry a bag to prevent littering if waste in public areas and instead carry the waste back to hotels for safe disposal. Raise public awareness on sustainable waste habits, using campaigns and school programs, similar to Himachal Pradesh, where NGOs conduct door-to-door outreach and waste education drives.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly being adopted around the world to address urban flooding and the urban heat island (UHI) effect, two major climate-related challenges in cities. These solutions work with and enhance natural systems to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.

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🌧️ Urban Flooding: Nature-Based Solutions

Urban flooding often results from the lack of permeable surfaces and overwhelmed drainage systems. NbS aim to restore the natural water cycle and increase infiltration, retention, and delayed runoff.

Green Roofs
• What they are: Vegetated layers installed on rooftops.
• Flood control benefit: Absorb and retain rainwater, reducing runoff and peak flow.
• Best Practice:
• City of Portland (USA) provides incentives for green roof installation as part of their stormwater management strategy.
• Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority mandates green roofs in many new developments.

Rain Gardens & Bioretention Cells
• What they are: Shallow, vegetated basins designed to collect and infiltrate stormwater.
• Flood control benefit: Filter and temporarily hold water during storms, promoting infiltration.
• Best Practice:
• Seattle’s SEA Streets project (Street Edge Alternatives) replaced curbs with swales and rain gardens, reducing runoff by 99% in some areas.

Permeable Pavements
• What they are: Paving systems that allow water to seep through and percolate into the ground.
• Flood control benefit: Reduce surface runoff and increase groundwater recharge.
• Best Practice:
• Chicago’s Green Alley Program replaced traditional alleys with permeable materials, cutting down localized flooding.

Urban Wetlands and Retention Ponds
• What they are: Natural or engineered areas to capture excess stormwater.
• Flood control benefit: Provide buffer areas to store excess water during peak rainfall.
• Best Practice:
• Stuttgart (Germany) restored urban floodplains to manage flash floods while adding biodiversity.

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☀️ Urban Heat Islands: Nature-Based Solutions

Urban heat islands form due to heat-absorbing surfaces (like asphalt) and lack of vegetation. NbS can cool urban areas through evapotranspiration, shading, and surface reflectivity.

Urban Forests and Tree Canopy Expansion
• What they are: Large-scale tree planting and maintenance programs.
• UHI benefit: Shade reduces surface and air temperatures; trees release moisture through transpiration.
• Best Practice:
• Melbourne (Australia) implemented an Urban Forest Strategy aiming to double its canopy cover by 2040, reducing local temperatures by 4°C.

Cool Roofs and Green Roofs
• What they are: Roofs designed with high-reflectance materials or vegetation.
• UHI benefit: Reflect more sunlight or insulate buildings, reducing heat absorption.
• Best Practice:
• New York City’s Cool Roofs Program has coated over 10 million square feet of rooftops with reflective paint.

Urban Parks and Green Corridors
• What they are: Large green spaces and connected vegetation networks.
• UHI benefit: Act as cooling zones through evapotranspiration and by reducing heat-absorbing surfaces.
• Best Practice:
• Singapore’s Park Connector Network creates continuous green spaces that act as “lungs” for the city.

Blue-Green Infrastructure
• What they are: Integration of water management (blue) with vegetation (green) in city design.
• UHI benefit: Combined cooling effect of water and greenery; stormwater retention doubles as cooling feature.
• Best Practice:
• Rotterdam (Netherlands) developed “Water Squares” that store rainwater during storms and function as public spaces otherwise, helping both cooling and flood management.

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✅ Best Practices for Implementation
1. Policy Integration
• Incorporate NbS into city master plans, zoning codes, and building regulations.
• Example: Copenhagen’s Cloudburst Management Plan integrates NbS into city infrastructure.
2. Community Engagement
• Involving local communities ensures long-term maintenance and social acceptance.
• Example: Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters program partnered with neighborhoods for green infrastructure.
3. Cross-sector Collaboration
• Coordination between urban planners, ecologists, engineers, and public health officials improves outcomes.
• Example: Berlin’s “Biotope Area Factor” regulation requires developers to integrate green space into new projects.
4. Monitoring and Adaptive Management
• NbS should be tracked for performance (e.g., water retention, temperature reduction) and adjusted as needed.
• Example: Singapore uses real-time sensors to monitor urban heat and green infrastructure performance.

⸻

🌍 Conclusion

Nature-based solutions are proving to be effective, sustainable, and multi-beneficial approaches to addressing both urban flooding and heat islands. They go beyond just infrastructure fixes, offering ecosystem services, aesthetic improvements, and public health benefits. Cities that prioritize NbS are more resilient, livable, and adaptive to climate change.

Mention international and national definitions/concepts Mention techniques to delineate these areas Mention significance of peri-urban areas in formulating urban policies