Revised Strategies to Improve Assam’s SDG Ranking in the Urban Development Sector

The Directorate of Town & Country Planning, Assam, under the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), has outlined revised strategies to enhance the state’s performance under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. The initiative focuses on inclusive urban growth, resilient planning mechanisms, and improved governance systems to strengthen Assam’s SDG index ranking.

A structured action framework has been developed, presenting key indicators, current performance levels, measurable targets for 2025–26, 2027–28, and 2030, along with supporting strategies and financial commitments.

Key Performance Indicators & Targets

Indicator 11.3.1 – Proportion of cities with integrated development plans

• Current Status: 72.12 percent
• Targets: 84 percent (2025–26), 93 percent (2027–28), and 100 percent (2030)
• Strategic initiatives include development of urban housing and infrastructure, SDG outcome-based budgeting, institutional alignment, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder participation.

Indicator 11.3.2 – Share of mixed-land-use areas in total urban land use

• Current Status: 2.30 percent (Guwahati: 5 percent; other towns: 2.41 percent)
• Targets: 6 percent (2025–26), 7 percent (2027–28), and 3 percent for other towns by 2030
• Key strategies include GIS-based planning, citizen engagement through digital platforms, improved data management, and governance strengthening.

Strategic Priorities

• Enhancing sustainable and inclusive urbanisation
• Strengthening spatial planning, urban infrastructure, and resilience
• Building citizen participation frameworks
• Advancing GIS-enabled decision-making and data systems
• Promoting compact, mixed-use development

Expected Outcomes

• 100 percent coverage of integrated development plans across cities by 2030
• Improved SDG index ranking for Assam
• More resilient, inclusive, and efficiently managed urban environments