Breaking New Grounds for the Urban Kerala
C.D. Rency
Statistics reveal that Kerala was urbanised close to 48 percent in 2011 and 70% of the state is estimated to be urbanised by 2031 and is expected to reach 81 percent by 2051. India’s f irst-ever Urban Conclave followed by the formation of the country’s first Urban Policy Commission is to plan and prepare for this challenge.
Poised to become a linear city state in near future, Kerala is proactively attempting to shape its urban future. In a groundbreaking move, the State Government has initiated a multi-faceted process to create an urban policy beginning with the country’s first-ever Urban Conclave.
T he recently concluded conclave envisages to formulate a transformative, inclusive, gender sensitive, sustainable and climate-resilient urban policy for the state. Moving away from a one size-fits-all narrative, the state aims at creating a more socially equitable policy customised to the needs of mega cities and satellite cities alike. The two-day conclave with the theme ‘Aspiring Cities, T hriving Communities’ marked a significant step in the state’s journey toward scientific and holistic urban development, said Geromic George, Principal Director, Local Self Government Department.
T he two-day event held at Grand Hyatt, Kochi brought together 3,115 delegates, including 275 academic experts, eight ministers, and 17 mayors, from 12 countries. “Kerala has always pioneered in inclusive governance models. Continuing this legacy, the state had set up India’s first Urban Policy Commission, which submitted its final report earlier this year. T he conclave was envisioned as a platform to translate this vision into action. We need to tailor our approach to fit the distinctive needs of our cities and towns. The sessions and deliberations focused on creating a development model that incorporates all sections of society, including children, people with disabilities, the poor, and the elderly. The policy plans to ensure clean air, water, and public spaces and in developing a charter for child and adolescent-friendly urban environments,” he added.
The Curious Case of Kerala
The Curious Case of Kerala Kerala has the potential to become the world’s longest linear city, with a 700-kilometer urban corridor from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram. Statistics reveal that Kerala was urbanised close to 48 percent in 2011. Seventy percent of the state is estimated to be urbanised by 2031. By 2051 it is expected to reach 81 percent. “All the 14 districts of Kerala except Wayanad, Pathanamthitta and Palakkad will witness rapid rate of urbanisation. This poses unique challenges to the urban planners as well as the administrators. The Urban Conclave will address this issue. Kerala needs to be ready to meet the challenges of Urban development in a planned fashion,” opined Adeela Abdullah, Special Secretary, Local Self Government Department.
Global Collaborations T he conclave served as a platform for significant international partnerships. The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) signed a Letter of Intent with the United Nations University’s Research Institute (UNU-CRIS), to collaborate on research, policy support, and capacity building. This partnership is a landmark event, as it marks the UN University’s first presence in Kerala and will bring world-class academic and research opportunities to the state’s students and professionals. KILA also signed a Letter of Intent with UN-Habitat, the UN agency for human settlements, to strengthen the urban policy’s global presence.
Key Recommendations
Deliberations at the Kerala Urban Conclave have culminated in a series of major recommendations aimed at charting a sustainable and inclusive future for the state’s cities. The suggestions, crafted with a focus on holistic development, cover critical areas like urban planning, gender-responsive mobility, economic growth and environmental resilience.
Sustainability and Climate Resilience
Experts underscored the pressing need for urban planning that respects Kerala’s unique geography and ecological balance. Recommendations call for a shift away from conventional, sprawling megacities towards a network of compact, resilient, and people centred cities. A key focus is on creating climate-smart cities by prioritising green and blue infrastructure, such as revitalising waterways like the Canoli Canal for eco-tourism and mobility. Panelists stressed the importance of nature-based solutions and integrated geospatial data to ensure development is built on resilient infrastructure and can withstand climate-related hazards. Urban local bodies must lead this effort, supported by multi-level collaboration.
Inclusive and Gender – Responsive Mobility
Gender – Responsive Mobility Several sessions highlighted the need to build a mobility system that works for everyone, with a special emphasis on women. Panelists noted that women’s travel patterns are often different from men’s, involving shorter trips for household needs and occurring during off peak hours, which increases safety concerns. To address this, experts proposed gender-sensitive transport planning that includes creating safer, more affordable public transport, and involving communities in the planning process. The lack of gender-specific data was identified as a major barrier, with calls for technology-driven data generation to inform policy and budgetary provisions for gender responsive infrastructure.
Economic Growth and Growth Hubs T he conclave identified several regional growth hubs, including the Trivandrum-Kollam corridor and the Ernakulam-Thrissur hub, and proposed strategies to unlock their potential. The Vizhinjam Port in Thiruvananthapuram was highlighted as a major economic driver, with recommendations to establish a land bank for industrial activities and to develop a comprehensive, long-term master plan. For the Kochi-Thrissur hub, experts suggested an integrated plan that leverages Kochi’s industrial base and Thrissur’s cultural heritage. T he focus is on attracting young talent, fostering knowledge-based industries, and using public-private partnerships to overcome implementation challenges and create high-quality employment.
A Wise Waste Management
Discussions on waste management called for a paradigm shift towards a circular economy. Recommendations centred on viewing waste as a resource for wealth and employment. Panelists highlighted successful models, such as Vizag’s waste to-revenue system, and emphasised the need for decentralised, localised solutions. Suggestions included creating a dedicated waste management wing, engaging the private sector, and using technology like GIS to map assets and improve collection efficiency. The social and economic empowerment of women waste workers, as seen in Thiruvananthapuram, was also cited as a key benefit of effective waste management systems. T he draft urban policy, based on the more than 300 suggestions from the conclave, will soon be presented to the cabinet. This proactive initiative demonstrates Kerala’s commitment to steering its rapid urbanisation in a way that is sustainable, inclusive and economically dynamic.
T he author is Asst. Information Officer at I&PRD, Ernakulam