Sustainability in South Asian Cities

This book explores some of the common socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by the cities of South Asia, which remain highly under-researched. South Asia comprises eight nations—India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, consisting of a total population of 1.92 billion in 2022. The majority of the cities in these countries are characterized by haphazard urbanization and multi-dimensional poverty alongside its associated ingredients— floods, water scarcity, food crises, poor sanitation, slums and squatter settlements, and pollution, among others. This comprehensive book is contributed by interdisciplinary scholars and includes 25 case studies. The volume brings these socio-economic and environmental challenges to the fore for a better and more nuanced understanding. The book help policymakers to mitigate the challenges and build sustainable cities.South Asia is perhaps one of the most populous areas on the planet with nearly one-third of its population, with over ten cities larger than 10 million and maybe home to four of the largest cities of the world's largest ten. The rights to the city and the right to breathe, bread and work are as significant to South Asians. The current volume is a timely addition to perhaps aiming for sustainable cities with many case studies on initiatives towards that end. The canvas is vast, and the coverage is daunting. However, the editors have a challenging task to balance out keeping the integrity of the theme in focus.Professor Avaya Mohapatra, Former Head and Professor (now retired), North Eastern Hill University, MeghalayaIt would be fair to say that while the fascinating scientific works inquired into by the authors through several chapters, the very book is useful as a reference for readers and researchers regarding urban sustainability in South Asian developing countries including Nepal. Keep up the good work! Professor Vidhya Bir Singh Kansakar, a veteran geographer of Nepal.This book should become a companion reader for scholars and students studying sustainability. It looks comprehensive, admirably clear in its objectives and intellectually lively.Professor Suman Singh, Department of Geography, Banaras Hindu University.