Liveability Metrics for Sustainable Urban Development in a Leading Metro City

The Metropolitan Development Authority of a leading metro city in India sought to enhance the city’s liveability through data-driven approaches that could foster sustainable and equitable urban growth. The goal was to create a comprehensive set of Liveability Metrics, which would serve as a planning and monitoring framework for improving the city's quality of life. To achieve this, the authority partnered with Primus Partners, who provided strategic guidance and stakeholder engagement for the project.

The initiative was designed to ensure that the city could adapt to the dynamic needs of its growing population, providing a viable and attractive environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. This project aimed to guide systematic and sustainable urban transformation by aligning infrastructure development, social services, and environmental management with liveability objectives.

Our Approach

To achieve this, the authority partnered with Primus Partners to provide strategic guidance and stakeholder engagement for the project. Primus Partners will adopt a multi-step methodology to develop the Liveability Metrics, emphasising stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making:

1. Multi-Stakeholder Consultation: A crucial part of the approach is engaging a wide range of stakeholders—government agencies, local authorities, citizens, and industry experts—to gather input on the city's urban challenges and opportunities. Public consultations, focus group discussions, and input from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) were pivotal in ensuring that the metrics addressed the city's diverse needs.

2. Data Collection and Validation: A robust data collection process will be implemented, combining primary and secondary data. The PMU will enable clean, consistent, and reliable data collection across multiple urban sectors, including healthcare, transportation, housing, and public safety. The collected data will be subjected to rigorous quality checks and validation processes, ensuring accuracy and applicability for decision-making.

3. Development of Liveability Metrics: Using the collected data, the team will identify critical indicators of urban well-being. These indicators will then be grouped into categories such as water supply, road safety, healthcare access, and public transport efficiency. The metrics will be designed to be outcome-oriented, linking developmental efforts to measurable improvements in citizens' quality of life.

4. Policy Advisory and Strategic Planning: Based on the findings, the PMU will support the Authority in providing strategic recommendations The liveability metrics guided urban planning will help the city prioritize investments, improve service delivery, and address gaps in infrastructure and services.

The Benefits

The Liveability Metrics project will deliver numerous benefits to the city:

Outcome-Oriented Urban Planning: The project will establish a clear, data-driven framework to guide urban planning efforts, ensuring that development is systematic, sustainable, and equitable. The metrics will become a tool for measuring the outcomes of policies and interventions, aligning them with long-term sustainability goals.
Sustainable Growth: The metrics' focus on sustainability will help the city balance its rapid growth with environmental stewardship and resource efficiency. Integrating data on renewable energy usage, water conservation, and green spaces into planning will ensure a holistic approach to urban development.
Stakeholder Collaboration: The multi-stakeholder consultation will ensure that diverse perspectives are considered in shaping the city’s future. This collaborative approach will increase buy-in from public agencies, elected officials, and the citizenry, fostering a shared vision for the city's growth.
Public Accountability and Participation: Public outreach efforts will empower citizens to participate in planning, enhancing transparency and accountability. Crowdsourced data and feedback from RWAs will strengthen the legitimacy of the liveability metrics and help the city effectively address residents’ concerns.
Benchmarking and Competitiveness: The Liveability Metrics will ave the potential to position the city to compete in national and international rankings, including the National Liveability Index and EIU Global Liveability Rankings. By aligning local urban indicators with global best practices, the city improved its competitiveness as an attractive destination for investment and talent.