World Bank: India Needs 144 million Homes, $10.95 Trillion Investment by 2070 to Build Climate-Resilient Cities
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDG 13: Climate Action
Institution: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
According to an opinion published on the World Bank website What India should do to build climate-resilient cities, India will need over 144 million new homes by 2070, more than double its current housing stock, alongside large-scale investments in transport, water, waste, and municipal services. Without climate adaptation, annual urban flood damages could escalate from $5 billion in 2030 to $30 billion in 2070.
The piece stresses the urgency of integrated resilience measures such as designating high-risk no-build zones, strengthening drainage and flood warning systems, and using nature-based solutions. Over the next three decades, Indiaβs investment requirements for climate-resilient and low-carbon urban infrastructure are estimated at $10.95 trillion. While substantial, this level of investment is expected to unlock jobs, innovation, and growth opportunities, positioning resilience as a central driver of Indiaβs urban development.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders:
How can India finance and implement climate resilience in rapidly growing cities while balancing affordability, inclusion, and sustainability?
Follow the full opinion here:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/opinion/2025/09/08/what-india-should-do-to-build-climate-resilient-cities.