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Geneva – The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in India’s cities, but lessons learned could help improve urban imbalances, says the World Economic Forum (WEF) in a new report. Its recommendations are made by global urban experts.

About 70% of India’s GDP comes from its cities, where 25-30 people migrate to from rural areas every minute. However, most big cities in India have wide economic disparity, with expansive slums and a large urban poor population, writes the World Economic Forum (WEF) in a statement

Now, the WEF has released a report highlighting the country’s most pressing urban challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic – such as low-income migrant workers’ loss of income and gender-based imbalances in public and private life.  

‘Indian Cities in the Post-Pandemic World’ includes recommendations from global urban experts in seven thematic areas: planning, housing, transport, environment, public health, gender and vulnerable populations. As well as underscoring the critical role data can play in a crisis, it highlights that realising the potential of cities requires “empowered and capable governance, investment in transport and infrastructure to fuel productive urban economies, and a rethink of outdated planning norms and regulations”.

The report’s recommendations include making cities more commuter-friendly; empowering local governments; and prioritizing action on environmental sustainability, air pollution and disaster management.  

“Well-designed and governed cities can be dynamic centres that spur innovation, drive economic productivity and provide citizens with a good quality of life. The pandemic is an opportunity to address historical urban challenges and bring about positive long‑term change,” said Viraj Mehta, Head of India and South Asia and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, in the statement.