World Town Planning Day on November 8 stresses building better, well-ordered cities

Today we all live in a concrete jungle. But cities are not made merely of heaps of brick and cement. They must be built with sound thinking and a long-term vision. To spread awareness of this across the world, World Town Planning Day is observed every year on November 8 with great enthusiasm.

On this day, there is global discussion on how cities should be shaped under the pressure of a growing population and how human life can be made easier.

The day began in 1949. It was started first to take the importance of urban planning across the seven seas and to build public interest in it. Today it is no longer just a formal celebration. It is regarded as highly important in more than 30 countries across four continents. On this day, experts from around the world, urban planners, architects and those who run governments sit together and draw up a blueprint for the development of future cities.

Many people believe urban planning only means building attractive buildings, wide roads and malls. This is a misconception, because its scope is far larger. It covers several areas. The first is traffic and transport, that is, building an easy and fast public transport system to avoid congestion. The second is environmental protection, that is, keeping as much greenery and as many gardens as possible in cities and taking steps to reduce pollution. The third is water resources and public health, that is, assured availability of drinking water, disposal of waste water and improvement in people's health. The fourth is social development, that is, building affordable homes and safe neighbourhoods for all.

Cities play a major part in any country's economic progress. When cities grow haphazardly, people suffer health problems, mental stress and traffic woes. In contrast, sound and sustainable planning leads to the wise use of resources. It saves electricity and fuel, ensures proper disposal of waste and helps keep air and water clean. Balanced development raises people's standard of living and makes it easier to face future calamities such as floods or changes in weather.

As we step into the era of smart cities, environment-friendly urban planning that puts people at the centre has become a need of the times. November 8 repeatedly reminds us that in making cities safe, beautiful and liveable, the participation of every citizen alongside the government is important.