Thu Sep 26 14:47:52 UTC 2024: ## Is a “Singapore” the Answer for India’s Urban Future?
**New Delhi, India:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his desire to see “several Singapores” emerge within India, sparking debate about the merits of replicating Singapore’s model of urban development.
While Singapore is widely lauded for its high-tech infrastructure, economic prosperity, and multicultural harmony, experts argue that achieving a similar outcome in India presents significant challenges.
Singapore’s unique status as an independent city-state, free to implement meritocratic and free-market policies, contrasts sharply with India’s complex political landscape. Moreover, Singapore’s strategic location along the Strait of Malacca provides it with significant advantages in global trade.
India’s cities, on the other hand, grapple with limited autonomy, inefficient governance, and inadequate public services. While elected urban executives could potentially bring about positive change, the current system often leaves decision-making in the hands of unelected bureaucrats.
Instead of building entirely new cities, some argue that India should prioritize improving existing infrastructure and making its major hubs, like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, more livable and attractive to finance and technology sectors.
The article points out that India has already experimented with planned cities like Chandigarh, but success is not guaranteed. Even successful examples like Washington D.C. and Brasilia highlight the difficulties in creating new cities from scratch.
The author ultimately suggests that India should focus on improving its existing urban centers rather than replicating Singapore’s model. He argues that fostering organic development and implementing sound policies can lead to the creation of thriving urban spaces that contribute to the country’s economy and culture without necessarily mimicking Singapore’s approach.
The article concludes by emphasizing that India’s vastness and diverse urban landscape necessitate a nuanced approach that prioritizes improving existing cities over creating entirely new ones.
First Piper 