Gasping for air? Indian cities struggle to breathe amid green space crisis

By A Representative

India's urban centers are gasping for air—both literally and figuratively. Green spaces in metropolitan areas like Mumbai and Delhi have plummeted to a shocking 3%, a far cry from the 30% in global counterparts like London. This stark disparity highlights the urgent need for sustainable urban planning as Indian cities face deteriorating living conditions, environmental risks, and reduced life expectancy by as much as five years.

On the latest episode of the What India Needs! podcast, media entrepreneur and author Shutapa Paul hosted Ashish Kukreja, CEO and Founder of Homesfy, India's first listed real estate brokerage firm. Together, they discussed the critical balance between rapid infrastructure development and sustainability, calling for smarter urban planning and greater citizen advocacy.

India is embarking on an ambitious $1.4 trillion infrastructure journey, with ₹10 lakh crore allocated in the 2023-24 Union Budget. Kukreja, however, sounded a cautionary note: “Infrastructure accounts for nearly a quarter of carbon emissions. Without smarter planning, we risk repeating the mistakes of other nations.”

He highlighted that integrating green technologies and renewable energy into urban infrastructure could reduce India’s carbon footprint by up to 35% by 2030. Kukreja emphasized decentralizing development to promote growth in Tier-2 cities like Indore and Surat, which are already emerging as sustainable economic hubs.

Kukreja underscored the dire state of green spaces in Indian metros: “A city with such minimal green cover isn’t just inconvenient; it’s unliveable.” He called for stricter accountability for developers and the inclusion of public spaces in urban planning.

Shutapa Paul echoed this sentiment: “Citizens, consumers, and individuals must demand green and open spaces for our collective well-being and the future of our cities.”

While initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission are a step forward, achieving even modest targets, such as 8-9% green coverage, will require strong public-private partnerships and community advocacy.

Kukreja stressed the importance of infrastructure with intent, highlighting the need to build for future generations. “We’re not just building for today but for decades ahead. This requires intent, continuity in policies, and swift execution—elements often missing in governance,” he said.

India’s urban challenges demand immediate attention. As Kukreja concluded, “With the world watching, India has the chance to set a global benchmark by integrating advanced technologies, green infrastructure, and sustainable practices.”

The episode underscores the critical need for collaboration among governments, businesses, and citizens to create cities that are not just livable but thrive for decades to come.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/z4oE4wG6O68

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