New Urban Climate Strategy: Creating Cities That Are Tall, Green, and Walkable

In the face of escalating heatwaves across South Asia, with over a billion Indians experiencing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in April 2022 alone, and New Delhi reaching a scorching 46 degrees Celsius in May 2024, the urgency for comprehensive climate policy reform has never been clearer. Despite efforts to curb the use of fossil fuels, which power our homes, vehicles, and industries, climate scientists argue for a broader approach to tackling the environmental crisis, particularly in urban settings where the bulk of carbon emissions originate.
Urban areas, home to 90% of the global gross value-added and responsible for 78% of carbon emissions, are projected to house 60% of the world’s population within seven years, with the figure in the United States nearing 80%. However, many countries, including the US, lack effective urban policies to address these challenges. Cities in Africa and Asia, where urbanization rates are set to skyrocket, face the daunting task of developing strategies to make their cities livable under increasingly extreme conditions.
Delhi, the capital of the world’s most populous country, exemplifies the urban crisis. Over 60% of its residents live in cramped conditions, with less than 8.75 square meters of floor space per person, leading to unsanitary and unsafe living environments. Additionally, less than 10% of Delhi’s area is covered by trees, exacerbating the city’s vulnerability to heatwaves, particularly for the 33% of its population that relies on walking as their primary mode of transport.
In response to these challenges, experts recommend a shift towards “Tall, Green and Walkable” urban environments. This approach advocates for taller buildings to reduce land, material, and energy use, while fostering stronger community ties. Incorporating greenery, such as trees, parks, and vertical gardens, can lower temperatures, reduce pollution, and enhance human health through increased biodiversity. Improving walkability by developing more compact cities with efficient public transportation, sidewalks, and reduced road widths can further reduce emissions and promote healthier lifestyles.
As Indian cities stand on the cusp of significant urbanization, the next two decades present a critical window of opportunity to adopt these strategies. Implementing planning and land-use regulations, improving city-level financial management, and fostering collaborative problem-solving are essential steps towards creating sustainable urban environments that are tall, green, and walkable. While these measures are crucial, they represent just a portion of the comprehensive policy toolkit needed to confront the climate crisis effectively. Indian cities are beginning to recognize the importance of such interventions, as evidenced by the development of urban heat action plans, signaling a move in the right direction towards mitigating the impacts of climate change.