At the beginning of the 20 century only 10.8% of the total 218 million population of the country resided in cities and towns. It is amazing to note that today, in the beginning of the 21 century; the urban population in India is 67 million more than the total population of the country in 1901. As per conservative projections 459 million people will be residing in urban areas in India in 2021. The phenomenal urban growth with its concentration in bigger towns, and more than 60% contribution to the Indian economy, have created tremendous challenges and peculiar issues which prima-facie appear beyond the capacity of present-day urban governance. The book outlines not only the ways and means needed for good urban governance, keeping in view the expectations and aspirations of the people for a good civic life, and existing gaps between the requirement and availability of resources; but also emphasises the importance of proper infrastructure, civic services and a sustainable environment. In addition to providing basic urban civic services and responsive urban governance, the author feels that a city should provide adequate opportunities and conducive environment, wherein everybody is able to pursue and realize one’s own dreams and maximize collective happiness. The book deals with various issues and dimensions of urban governance as well as the strategy for future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR J.S. Mishra
Born in 1952, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Shri J.S. Mishra is an I.A.S. officer of 1980 batch. As Secretary. Urban Development. Government of U.P., he was responsible for policy initiatives, as well as planning, coordinating and ensuring successful conduct of Mahakumbh at Allahabad in January-February 2001. Thie Mahakumbh attracted world-wide acclaim as about 100 million devotees thronged the holy Sangam to have a dip. A competent bureaucrat, an avid booklover, a gifted speaker, an observant author, a passionate poet, a loving husband and father of three. Shre Mishra has a multifaceted persons. He is a civil engineer from Roorkee University by education and a civil servant by profession. Shri Mishra has earned himself an enviable reputation of a most competent administrator, an immaculate planner, a visionary, an exceptional implementer, and a leader with an unshakeable belief in the power of teamwork who leads his team from the front. He is passionate about poetry and literature, besides his deep commitment to official work which is extremely demanding. He believes in the philosophy that ‘only busy people have time’ and proves it by stealing out time from his busy schedule for the love of his heart – poetry and literature. He already has to his credit two widely acclaimed works of poetry – Yeh Dhoop Chhanv; Yeh Aakarshan and Ho Himalaya Naya. Ab Ho Ganga Nayi; and a celebrated professional work on Urban Development entitled A Quest for Dream Cities. As Secretary Urban Development, Up Government, Shri Mishra was the nodal officer for the successful conduct of Mahakumbha 2001. He has been awarded the prestigious â€Public Service Excellence Award†instituted by all India Management Association, New Delhi. for the year 2001, for the awe-inspiring conduct of Mahakumbh-2001 that can be rightly regarded as a miracle in management. He is also the recipient of many state honours, citations and certificates for his meritorious achievements during the course of this career.
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