Context:

• The India Infrastructure Report (IIR) 2023 on urban planning and development was released by the former Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu.

Key Points:

• The India Infrastructure Report 2023 (IIR2023) has been a collaborative effort of IDFC Foundation, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited (iDeCK) and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
• This report was launched by IDFC Foundation in 2001.
• India Infrastructure Report (IIR2023), urban planning is an essential component of nation building and an integral element in development.
• Also provides solutions to make Indian cities sustainable.
• The underlying objective of the report is to provide better urban development in the region as well as provide an important link with the neighboring states.
• The report also outlines a road map on how to improve existing cities through urban redevelopment and ways to plan greenfield cities and implement them efficiently on the ground.
• The India Infrastructure Report 2023 (IIR2023) mentioned key aspects such as planning and governance, smart initiatives, PPPs and financing, housing and migration, public service delivery, integrated infrastructure and urban redevelopment.
• The India Infrastructure Report 2023 (IIR2023) will also promote inclusive socio-economic development in the state and help in the all-round development of the nation and help India become one of the top three largest economies in the world.

Highlights of India Infrastructure Report 2023:

• Highlighted the transformative potential of digital technology in shaping India's urban landscape.
• Its main focus areas include the concept of 'smart cities' and the importance of performance ranking criteria.
• The objective is to examine the financial dimensions of urban development with special emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), financial sustainability of urban local bodies and the efficacy of municipal bonds as powerful financing instruments.
• Urban transport planning and urban redevelopment are important components of effective urban governance in India through transit-oriented development and land price regulation.

IDFC Foundation

• IDFC Foundation is a non-profit organization.
• It works on philanthropic initiatives in social infrastructure.

Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited (iDeCK)

• iDeCK was established in the year 2000 as a joint venture between the Government of Karnataka, IDFC Foundation and HDFC.
• iDeCK focuses specifically on catalyzing well-planned, sustainable infrastructure projects through public-private partnerships.

National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

• Established in 1976
• Research on issues related to urbanization
• Suggesting ways to solve urban challenges in the country
• It is a central autonomous body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• It is a national think-tank carrying out cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, knowledge exchange and capacity development, policy planning and advocacy in the field of urban development.