Why in the News
An opinion article published on 2 November 2026 drew attention to the role of small cities in climate-resilient development. Its central argument is that heat, flooding and the water crisis should be seen not as separate projects but in shared decisions tied to land, buildings, transport and public services. This is a reference to policy analysis, not an official announcement of a new scheme.
Small cities have the opportunity to include risk in planning before expansion. Neighbourhoods built later on waterlogged land, shadeless roads or buildings demanding more energy can be expensive to change. But a city does not become safe by itself just because it is small. The nature of the risk depends on its geography, drainage, the vulnerability of its population and the capacity of its local institutions.
What Is Climate-Resilient Development?
According to the IPCC, climate-resilient development joins measures of adaptation and of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions with sustainable development for everyone. Merely restoring the old system after a disaster is not its full meaning. Reducing future risk in the everyday decisions of development is also necessary.
- Adaptation: reducing risk and vulnerability to effects such as heat, water scarcity and extreme rainfall.
- Mitigation: reducing emissions from energy, buildings, transport and other activities.
- Sustainable and inclusive development: ensuring better access to safe housing, water, health, livelihood and services.
For example, a shaded and safe walking route can bring relief in heat and reduce the need for motor-vehicle use over short distances. But a target of planting trees alone is not enough: the suitable species, water, maintenance, the width of the route and everyone's access must also be considered. Raising another sector's risk for one benefit is not a solution.
The Distinct Question of Small Cities
Copying the projects of metropolises is not the natural answer for small cities. The local market, the distance of work, the habit of commuting, water sources and the resources of the urban body can be different. The basis of a plan should be the local risk and people's needs, not merely looking like a big city.
Before new housing and roads are built, a map of natural drains, ponds, flood-affected areas and heat-sensitive neighbourhoods will be useful. Land use should be decided by joining the future population and the demand for services. In places where expansion is still under way, the opportunity remains to correct wrong decisions before they turn into permanent structures.
Heat: Cooling Is Not Only Air-Conditioners
A building's orientation, the arrangement of air movement, shade, roof treatment and energy-efficient equipment together affect thermal comfort. Passive cooling means design measures that can reduce dependence on mechanical cooling. This does not mean active cooling will become unnecessary in every place or situation.
According to the official summary of the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP), the targets by 2037-38 are reductions of 20-25% in the cooling demand of various sectors, 25-40% in the energy requirement of cooling and 25-30% in refrigerant demand. These are separate targets of the plan, not achievements already made. Cooling demand and the electricity used for it are not the same measure.
Urban bodies can include thermal comfort in building permits, the procurement of public buildings and road design. Shade and water are important for schools, health centres, bus stops, markets and people who work outdoors. Priority should not go only to those buildings that already have resources.
Understanding Water and Flood Together
The purpose of drainage should not be only to send rainwater out as fast as possible. Where the underground situation and water quality permit, rainwater harvesting, the conservation of water bodies and permeable surfaces can help water security. The suitable non-potable use of treated wastewater is an option for reducing pressure on fresh water.
The National Mission on Sustainable Habitat includes measures such as rainwater harvesting, the rejuvenation of water bodies, the recycling/reuse of treated water and urban water-balance planning. To understand flood risk, it is also necessary to identify the places of waterlogging and their causes. The cleaning of drains, waste management and regular maintenance can be as important as any new project.
Nature-based measures and engineering are not opponents of each other. Water bodies, green areas, spaces that hold water and proper drainage can be seen together. But if the beautification of a pond harms its water-holding capacity or natural flow, the result can be the opposite. The success of a measure should be assessed on the basis of the actual water flow and local risk.
The National Framework and Local Implementation
The National Mission on Sustainable Habitat 2021-2030 has five subject areas: energy and green buildings; urban planning, green cover and biodiversity; mobility and air quality; water management; and waste management. This classification shows that urban climate action is not the separate work of an environment department alone.
The mission also regards urban governance, capacity building, data, technology and innovation as enabling foundations. The land planning of a development authority, the building permits of an urban body, the supply of a water agency and the roads of a public works department affect the same city. Shared risk maps and project review among them are necessary. Merely printing one climate action plan is not enough.
Finance, Participation and Measurable Outcomes
Waiting for a separate big project for every measure is not necessary. A check of climate risk can be started within the existing road, water-supply, building and waste budgets. Along with capital cost, also look at operation, repairs, technical staff and future energy cost. Infrastructure built without maintenance can lose its benefit within a few years.
Citizens' experience improves the risk map: where water collects, which route is unsafe in heat, which settlement services do not reach. Listening to the needs of women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income groups is necessary. A digital app can be useful, but the information of those without smartphones should also be included.
To measure outcomes, urban bodies can choose indicators such as the duration of waterlogging, routes with safe shade, water loss, the energy consumption of public buildings and the reach of services to the vulnerable population. These are analytical examples; they are not given here as any new mandatory national list. The strength of small cities can be not showy projects but steadily better decisions suited to local need.
Mains Practice Question
"In small cities, climate-resilient development is a question of everyday urban planning more than of separate projects." Discuss. (Answer in 150 words. 10 marks)
Answer Outline
Introduction: begin with the combined meaning of adaptation, emission reduction and inclusive development.
Main Body: land use, buildings and cooling, water and flood, nature-based measures; explain the challenges of departmental coordination, finance and maintenance; local data and citizen participation.
Conclusion: connect the national framework with local risk, capacity and measurable outcomes.
Prelims Practice Questions
Question 1. With reference to climate-resilient development, consider the following statements:
Statement 1: It joins adaptation and emission mitigation with sustainable development.
Statement 2: Its meaning is only the restoration of the old infrastructure after a disaster.
Statement 3: Equity and local participation are important in effective climate action.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer and Explanation
Correct answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
The IPCC joins adaptation, emission reduction and sustainable development for everyone in climate-resilient development. Merely restoring the old infrastructure is not its full meaning; equity and participation are also important.
Question 2. With reference to the India Cooling Action Plan, consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The targets for cooling demand and the energy requirement of cooling are separate.
Statement 2: The target of a 20-25% reduction in the cooling demand of various sectors is for 2037-38.
Statement 3: The said target should be regarded as an achievement already made.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer and Explanation
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
ICAP's official summary has separate targets of a 20-25% reduction in cooling demand and 25-40% in the energy requirement of cooling by 2037-38. The announcement of a target is not proof of achievement.
Sources
- IPCC AR6: climate-resilient development, definition and participation
- Ministry of Environment, Ozone Cell: ICAP's official summary and targets
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: National Mission on Sustainable Habitat 2021-2030
- NIUA: measures for mainstreaming urban climate action
- NDMA: urban floods, drainage and maintenance
- News context of the opinion article, 2 November 2026: small cities and climate-resilient development
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PCSMANTRA Editorial Team
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