India’s economic transformation is a story shaped mainly by its cities. India’s vision of a truly ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) and its ambitious $30 trillion economy target demand a strategic shift away from reactive, unplanned urbanisation and toward a blueprint for intentional, inclusive, and resilient city development. However, India’s cities stand at a crossroads. To achieve this aspiration, we must equip our cities for the future. This requires a decisive shift from unplanned, fragmented urban development to a strategy powered by knowledge, innovation, and bold solutions. India’s transformation from an agrarian-based economy to the world’s third-largest economy hinges crucially on the robust growth of its cities. India’s cities are engines of economic promise, yet the path is fraught with challenges.
India’s urbanisation drive has resulted in undeniable gains. Its cities bustle with energy that reflects progress in different sectors. This dynamism stands in stark contrast with the India of decades ago. However, India’s urban realities demand more profound attention: a reinforced focus on building capacities at all levels to learn new approaches and technologies for working and sensitisation towards new roles, responsibilities and attitudes, integrated planning, seamless coordination, incentivised innovation, and technology-driven solutions. In the coming decades, the urban sector will play a critical role in the structural transformation of the Indian economy and in sustaining the high economic growth rates. India’s response to urbanisation recognises the international benchmarks laid out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the New Urban Agenda (NUA).
Hon’ble Finance Minister, in her budget speech last year, revealed the emerging ‘Economic Geography of Urban India’ relating to the overall level of development led by the concentration of economic activities, industries, infrastructure, and investments. She called for placing cities and towns at the centre of India’s development trajectory. It was highlighted that high-quality public services, all in the cities and towns of India, are not an end but will also facilitate the full realisation of India’s economic potential.
India’s ambitious urban goals demand a multifaceted approach to capacity building. These demands move beyond short-term fixes to a long-term, integrated strategy aligned with global benchmarks. It requires a dedicated catalyst, the linchpin for creating sustainable, resilient cities. This isn’t optional – it’s the key to unlocking India’s urban potential. This catalyst will drive progress, translate national goals into city-specific plans, harness data for better decision-making, and champion climate-smart urban solutions. Beyond that, it will elevate India as a global knowledge leader in urban development –where solutions are born and the world comes to learn.
With half India’s population soon to call cities home, the nation urgently needs a dedicated think tank focused on real-world results. This force for change will drive innovation and tailor solutions to scale and guide in translating ideas into action on the ground. This requires building capacity at every level, equipping those managing our cities with the ability to implement cutting-edge solutions. We must foster adaptability, embracing new technologies and fresh approaches to build the sustainable, resilient cities India deserves.
The power of a think tank is evident worldwide in driving transformative change. Through in-depth research and knowledge sharing, Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities shapes its nation’s sustainable urban model. In Spain, the Barcelona Institute for Global Health uses data to connect urban design and public health, prompting cities to prioritise walkability and green spaces. Such real-world impact underscores the power of a think tank to translate national goals into tangible progress. Various committees constituted for strengthening urban issues have stressed the need to improve urban local bodies’ institutional and individual capacities. Following recommendations have emerged from these reports on enhancing the capacities of urban local bodies:
=Capacity Building in the Country should be unified under a single-window capacity-building scheme
=Focus on institutional as well as individual capacity building
=Address demand side constraints at the same time, strengthen the supply side of capacity building by strengthening delivery institutions
=Identify and develop regional hubs for capacity-building delivery
=Promote think tanks and Centre of Excellence (COEs) for providing inputs into urban policy development and analysis
=Promote the formation of a municipal cadre at the state level to bring professionalisation to municipal services
=Develop and disseminate knowledge on international and national good practices, including model documents, templates, urban management guidelines, and web-based learning portals.
The McKinsey Global Institute’s April 2010 report, titled “India’s Urban Awakening: Building Inclusive Cities, Sustaining Economic Growth,” underscores the imperative of capacity building. Specifically, the report notes that although the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has successfully enhanced physical capacity, there is a pressing need for increased investment in financial and human capacity. Due to insufficient local capacity and technical expertise, many states and cities encounter challenges in utilising available funds and implementing reforms. Thus, India needs a catalyst to reach scale, which is crucial to understanding these dynamics and advocating solutions. Learning from successful global thinking provides lessons on operational effectiveness, avoiding past mistakes, and adapting best practices to India’s unique context. Here are some learnings from international think tanks:
=Independent but Collaborative: Diverse funding (not solely government) ensures operational autonomy, as in Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities. Besides its core government funding, CLC actively sources funds from international development agencies, foundations, and consultancy projects. This financial independence allows it to prioritise longer-term urban research agendas.
=Strong Governance: A multi-expert board provides varied perspectives for balanced insights and sustainable long-term decision-making. Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has strong government links but also actively partners with universities and multinational foundations to diversify its knowledge base and maintain policy influence.
=Focus on Practical Outcomes: Prioritize research for policymaking and public awareness that leads to real-world impact. Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Spain, combines high-level research with robust communication strategies for policymakers and residents. Their urban health studies drive evidence-based actions addressing the health impacts of city planning.
=Network Hub: Forge meaningful partnerships with government, research, and industry players to drive innovation and on-ground transformation. For Example, Seoul Institute, South Korea, maintains deep institutional links with the Seoul Metropolitan Government while acting as a hub for collaborative research with top universities and the private sector. This model enables continuous knowledge exchange and accelerates the translation of ideas into impactful urban solutions.
A ‘Viksit Bharat’ depends on far more than quick fixes. This think tank would be a beacon, driving deep transformations in planning, governing, and envisioning our urban future.
It’s a bold but necessary investment. This will empower Indian cities to become hallmarks of economic success and inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience – a true reflection of a developed It requires deep transformations in planning, governing, and investing in our cities. Building institutional solid governance and empowering out-of-the-box thinking are essential parts of this equation.
This bold approach will transform our cities into symbols of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ – an India recognised globally for its economic might and the inclusive, livable, and forward-thinking communities its citizens have built.