India’s urban population grew from the 290 million reported in the 2001 to an estimated 340 million in 2008. By 2030, a third of Indian population will live in 3 and 4 tier Towns of less than 1 million population.
This is possibly a largest demographic shift in history. In this process rural citizens leave their traditional livelihoods and lifestyle in search of better incomes and higher quality of life. However Indian towns are often unprepared to provide essential infrastructure, services and opportunities needed for these communities to thrive. As a result for many thousands of families become traps of poverty and despair.
The purpose of the session is to design a framework for successful development of these emerging urban spaces.