How does climate change influence migration patterns and urban planning in India?

Climate change is increasingly impacting the way people live in India, driving significant shifts in migration patterns and posing new challenges for urban planning. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, droughts, and sea-level rise are forcing many to leave their homes in search of safer and more sustainable livelihoods. This environmental migration is reshaping cities and demanding new approaches to urban development.

• Influence on Migration Patterns:
  • Rural to Urban Migration: Climate-induced crop failures, water scarcity, and loss of livelihoods in rural areas are pushing people towards cities in search of work and stability.
  • Internal Displacement: Floods, cyclones (like those in Odisha and West Bengal), and coastal erosion are displacing entire communities, creating ‘climate refugees’ who move within and across states.
  • Seasonal Migration: Increased frequency of droughts in states like Maharashtra and Rajasthan leads to seasonal migration, where families temporarily relocate to urban centers for employment during lean periods.
  • Emergence of New Migration Corridors: Areas less affected by climate change (such as certain urban regions) are witnessing an influx of migrants, altering traditional migration routes.
• Impact on Urban Planning:
  • Pressure on Infrastructure: Sudden population increases in cities strain housing, water supply, sanitation, and transport systems, often leading to the growth of informal settlements (slums).
  • Need for Climate-Resilient Cities: Urban planning must now include flood management, heat-resistant infrastructure, and green spaces to cope with extreme weather events and rising temperatures.
  • Inclusive Planning: Planners need to consider the needs of climate migrants, such as affordable housing, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, to ensure equitable urban development.
  • Urban Sprawl and Land Use Change: Rapid, unplanned expansion of cities onto peri-urban and agricultural land can worsen environmental degradation and increase vulnerability to climate impacts.
  • Policy Initiatives: Programs like the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission are increasingly integrating climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction into urban strategies.