Urbanization has occurred rapidly in India principally due to social, economic and political drivers and has offered improved quality of life, access to amenities and economic opportunities for many. However, this has been accompanied by challenges that include insufficient energy, lack of urban infrastructure, and poor delivery of basic ser-vices, resulting in undesirable environmental impacts, congestion, and urban sprawl. India’s urbanization has placed tremendous demand on the country’s resources. Providing energy to all while maintaining a low carbon footprint is a global priority. Although economic development is anchored by both urbanization and industrialization, urbanization itself is a major determinant of energy use, including energy use related to transportation. Deficiencies in urban planning and management have to be overcome if India’s urban environment is to meet the rising expectations of an expanding urban population and provide an environment consistent with rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth. India's energy demand in 2030 is likely to be double that of current demand. Achieving a greener future in a sustainable way with low energy costs can be addressed by measures such as preferential policies towards renewables, investment in technology and empowerment of local government to meet the low carbon energy needs in India.

The Government of Karnataka and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited are exploring ways to offset the heavy economic burden of expanding the metro rail transit network in Bengaluru. Land value capture (LVC) is a public financing strategy that can recover a portion of the real estate value that development along the metro corridor generates for private property owners. Deployed effectively, LVC can help fund the growth of mass transit and allied infrastructure. Several LVC mechanisms are under consideration in Bengaluru, but are yet to be implemented. Inherent shortcomings in planning, policy, and institutional frameworks prevent the market from optimizing the benefits of transit-oriented development (TOD), which in turn negatively impacts LVC. In this practice note, we first evaluate and assess the potential for TOD and LVC to evolve in tandem with specific reference to the Bengaluru metro and, second, posit strategies and recommendations to reorient policies to leverage TOD as an opportunity for LVC, and vice versa. Our learnings are illustrated through case studies of two typical metro stations – an inner-city neighborhood and an upcoming area in the periphery of the city.

This paper discusses WRI India Ross Center’s experience working in Bengaluru in order to understand the results of its deep engagement through the Sustainable Cities program. It captures a decade of growth, work, outcomes and learnings for the organization, along with evaluating its role in advancing broader ecosystem change in the city.

Amidst a rapidly expanding population, Indian cities are unable to keep pace with the growing demand for efficient and adequate urban services especially in the sectors of water, waste and energy. This practice note looks at the WRI India approach of developing a powerful value accelerator platform to scale innovative solutions for gaps in service delivery in collaboration with the quadruple helix stakeholders of government, private sector, academia and citizens. This note summarizes the impact, experiences, and lessons learned from the TheCityFix Labs India held between September 2018 and September 2019, which was supported by the Citi Foundation. This note also assesses the existing innovation ecosystem and the potential for on-the-ground demonstrations and pilot projects to mobilise investment and spark policy reform for the successful delivery of sustainable urban services. This note also sheds light on some of the enabling conditions needed to deliver sustainable infrastructure, and issues that must be addressed to enable innovative small players and new entrants to participate.

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