The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing sustainable and inclusive urbanization across India. Signed on November 15, this MoU strengthens the longstanding collaboration between the two organizations and underscores their shared commitment to creating resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban environments.
This agreement places a strong emphasis on promoting social, economic, and environmental integration across cities, city regions, and rural areas. It aligns with India’s aspirations to expand its economy from USD 3 trillion to USD 5 trillion in the coming years. Recognizing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, the MoU advocates for a development strategy that balances growth with inclusivity and environmental stewardship. One of the key objectives is to address the disparities in urban resilience—highlighting the uneven ability of cities to withstand and recover from social, economic, and environmental shocks.
In particular, the agreement calls for smarter urban planning to better address critical issues such as affordable housing and the reduction of inequalities manifested in slums and informal settlements. The partnership aims to mitigate these challenges by fostering more equitable urban growth and improving the preparedness of cities to deal with the diverse impacts of climate change, pollution, and socio-economic stressors.
The MoU outlines a broad framework for cooperation, focusing on several key areas. These include the promotion of a circular economy for water, wastewater, and municipal solid waste management, with an emphasis on embedding these principles into urban planning and investment processes. Additionally, the agreement calls for enhanced actions to combat pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss, which have become pressing concerns in urban settings. The partnership will also work to strengthen the capacity of local and sub-national governments, as well as public institutions, to better plan, manage, and finance urban development.
The signing ceremony took place at the Twelfth World Urban Forum in Cairo, Egypt, where Katikithala Srinivas, Secretary of MoHUA, and Kazuko Ishigaki, Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific at UN-Habitat, along with their respective delegations, marked the occasion. This MoU is seen as a significant milestone in India’s urban development journey, providing a clear framework for collaborative action aimed at achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.
As part of this strengthened collaboration, the two organizations launched the Urban RAASTA (Resilient and Accelerated Advancement with Sustainable and Transformative Actions) framework. Urban RAASTA is designed specifically for India’s intermediary cities, to promote green, sustainable, and healthy urban development. The framework draws inspiration from India’s traditional conservation practices and integrates these with modern urban planning strategies.
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The Urban RAASTA framework employs a T-shaped approach, combining both multi-sectoral horizontal integration and comprehensive vertical deep dives into specific sectors. This methodology is aimed at developing “fit for purpose” recommendations for urban development instruments and financing mechanisms. The framework is built on four foundational principles: spatial equity, SDG localization, climate resilience, and an inclusive economy. These pillars are designed to guide urban planning, decision-making, and local financing, ensuring that the development process is holistic and inclusive.
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