The Morning Brief Reviving Amravati: Can India build new cities?
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May 16, 2025 Kunal Kumar, the former Smart City mission director, discusses the ambitious plan to develop Amaravati as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. He outlines the challenges of attracting investors and restoring public trust. The conversation dives into the complexities of India's Smart Cities initiative and the necessity of local governance for sustainable urban planning. Kumar draws parallels with successful models like Singapore and Magarpatta, pondering whether Amaravati can truly materialize into a thriving hub or if it will remain a tale of unrealized dreams.
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Challenges of Greenfield Cities
- Few cities chose greenfield development under the Smart Cities mission due to economic drivers' scarcity and complexities in land acquisition.
- Greenfield projects are long-term, costly, and need political continuity, which many cities avoid due to high risks.
Plan Beyond Administration
- Build economic opportunities like jobs and industries in new administrative capitals to attract residents.
- Prioritize social infrastructure alongside physical infrastructure to create livable, appealing cities.
Magarpatta: Successful Land Pooling
- Magarpatta city is a successful private greenfield township where farmers pooled land and shared profits.
- It created 80,000 jobs and provided housing, exemplifying effective land pooling and private sector success.