Over 80% of state’s population will be urban by 2050: Report | Kochi News

Kochi: Over 80% of people in Kerala will be part of an urban landscape by 2050, said the final report of state govt-appointed Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC). The report was formally submitted at the two-day Kerala Urban Conclave on Friday.While inaugurating the conclave, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the findings and references from KUPC report would be discussed in detail during the conclave. “Both megacities and satellite cities are expanding and we must present unique perspectives and plans for each. Discussions should also focus on transportation systems that are both urban-friendly and environmentally sustainable,” he said.LSGD minister M B Rajesh said Kerala was the only state in India with an urban policy and the report would provide insights for formulating state’s development strategies for the next 25 years.KUPC, chaired by M Sathishkumar, was appointed in Dec 2023 as part of framing a comprehensive urban policy for the state and submitted its interim report in Dec 2024. The final report provides over 40 major recommendations for effectively implementing the urban policy. Recommendations on forming metropolitan planning committees (MPCs) in cities suggest that planning areas of MPCs should be delineated based on population size and density, connectivity, ubiquity, land use and other relevant criteria. It provides city-specific recommendations.“Thrissur-Cochin should be developed as fintech hub of Kerala; Palakkad and Kasaragod as industrial smart cities; Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam knowledge corridor should be developed to foster research and innovation; Kannur should be promoted as a fashion city; Kannur-Kasaragod and Thrissur-Ernakulam should be leveraged as educational-health hubs; and Kozhikode should be branded as ‘City of Literature’, drawing on its rich literary heritage,” the recommendations stated.Centre promises support for RRTSChief guest at the conclave, Union minister for housing and urban affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, assured that Centre would extend full cooperation to Kerala for implementing regional rapid transit system (RRTS) after the state submits its detailed project report (DPR).Himachal wants to replicate Kochi Water MetroHimachal Pradesh PWD and urban development minister Vikramaditya Singh told TOI that he was highly impressed by Kochi Water Metro project and Himachal govt would consider implementing a similar project.Mayors from Nepal skip conclaveThree mayors from Nepal, who had confirmed their attendance at the conclave, skipped the event due to unrest in the country. Mayors Krishna Hari Maharjan of Tarakeshwar municipality, Bhim Prasad of Nilkantha municipality and Prahlad Sapkota of Ratnanagar municipality were scheduled to participate in the mayors’ conference on Friday.Major Recommendations of KUPC1. Six directly elected metropolitan planning committees (MPCs) in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kollam, Thrissur and Kannur2. Kerala should develop a risk-informed master plan at local level to integrate climate resilience into urban planning3. On Kudumbashree lines, launch Jnanashree Programme to provide sustained technical support to institutions, covering technology, planning, management, finance, legal and other aspects at all levels of administration4. Introduce a green fee on urban development projects to fund disaster risk reduction initiatives5. Establish a comprehensive climate risk insurance framework6. The steering committee may be elevated to the position of city cabinet, headed by the mayor7. Cells shall be established for solid waste management, climate and disaster management, besides setting up city-level urban observatories8. Establish a functional state-level digital data observatory9. Install sufficient automated weather stations (AWS) and tide gauges at strategic locations10. Develop eco-industrial parks11. Transform state universities into globally competitive research and innovation centres12. Establish city business development councils in all municipal corporations and municipalities13. Workers’ council and citizens’ council shall be established at the ULG level14. Establish a robust techno-legal and techno-financing regime by updating KMBR and KPBR to integrate climate risk and disaster resilience provisions. This approach will reduce long-term disaster recovery costs and attract climate-resilient investments15. Deploy decentralized treatment and regulate septic systems16. Develop drainage and stormwater master plans17. Conduct traffic and transport surveys and mobility plans18. Establish project development support centres19. Form city, town and ward-level health committees to develop age-friendly neighbourhood plans and assess elderly needs20. Recognise KILA Centre for Urban Governance as a centre of excellence in urban policy and planning