Adapt fast to city’s needs, say US experts

Most of the Indian cities will have to adapt faster to increasing urbanisation, huge infrastructure needs and a global economy, said Rob Eastwood, international director of the American Planning Association (APA), San Francisco.

Around 18 planners from the association were at Sir JJ College of Architecture on Wednesday as part of their three-day Mumbai visit. “Are the cities ready to deal with the increased urbanisation and population? That’s the biggest challenge for India today. They need to anticipate what’s going to happen in future, plan accordingly and act fast. The infrastructure is crippled, streets need improvement and sanitary conditions need help,” said Eastwood. He said while Mumbai is quite progressive as compared to other cities in India, it also faces many challenges.

Mumbai is the last stop for the planners who have been on a three-week educational tour in India. “We are here to see how the urban planning process works and interact with key players and stakeholders,” said Rachna, a San Francisco city planner.

Several architects and planners from Mumbai explained to them the city’s development plans, policies and authorities, issues of poverty and migration, besides current projects.

They will also visit Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to get government’s perspective on planning. Rachna said unlike US, where projects go through public hearing and review, public participation process is lacking in India.