Circular Economy and Urban Self-Reliance: Case Study of Urban Settlements in Western Maharashtra

Jadhav Rajshree; Kumthekar Madhav; Narkhede Parag; Anil Achut Kunte

doi:10.69968/ijisem.2026v5i197-106

Authors

Jadhav Rajshree PhD Scholar, Shri JJT University, Vidyanagari, Chudela, Jhunjhunu Rajsthan
Kumthekar Madhav HOD, Government college of engineering, Karad, India
Narkhede Parag Professor, BKPS College of architecture, Pune
Anil Achut Kunte Senior Techno-legal consultant, Mumbai

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2026v5i197-106

Keywords:

Self-Reliant Cities, Urban Planning, Affordable Housing, Inclusive Development, GIS Analysis, Land Use and Land Cover (LULC), Baramati, Sustainable Urbanization, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Smart Governance

Abstract

Urbanization in India is accelerating rapidly, often leading to unplanned development, strained infrastructure, and diminished livability in urban areas. This research investigates the concept of self-reliant cities as a sustainable solution to these challenges, focusing on the city of Baramati in Western Maharashtra. Through an in-depth analysis of affordable housing, inclusive community development, and local governance, the study examines how cities can transition toward self-reliance using integrated urban planning. The findings reveal significant growth in built-up areas, accompanied by a decline in tree and agricultural cover, underscoring the urgency of sustainable planning. Case studies such as Magarpatta City in Pune illustrate successful models of community-driven development, renewable energy integration, and decentralized services. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for local governments, planners, and communities to adopt resilient, inclusive, and resource-efficient strategies aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

References

[1] Allen, A., Dávila, J. D., & Hofmann, P. (2006). Governance of water and sanitation services for the peri-urban poor: A framework for understanding and action in metropolitan regions. Development Planning Unit, University College London.

[2] Caputo, P., Gorrini, A., & Pelagalli, L. (2017). Energy self-sufficiency of sustainable communities through smart energy planning. Energy Procedia, 111, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.001

[3] Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2015). Towards a circular economy: Business rationale for an accelerated transition. Retrieved from https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org

[4] Evans, J. P., Karvonen, A., & Raven, R. (2016). The experimental city. Routledge.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315719825

[5] Healey, P. (1997). Collaborative planning: Shaping places in fragmented societies. Macmillan International Higher Education.

[6] Hopkins, R. (2008). The transition handbook: From oil dependency to local resilience. Chelsea Green Publishing.

[7] Illich, I. (1973). Tools for conviviality. Harper & Row.

https://doi.org/10.1558/isbn.9780714521602

[8] ITDP India. (2016). Footpath design and walkability audits. Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.

[9] Morgan, K. (2009). Feeding the city: The challenge of urban food planning. International Planning Studies, 14(4), 341-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/13563471003642852

[10] Pahl-Wostl, C. (2009). A conceptual framework for analysing adaptive capacity and multi-level learning processes in resource governance regimes. Global Environmental Change, 19(3), 354-365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.06.001

[11] Roseland, M. (1997). Dimensions of the eco-city. Cities, 14(4), 197-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-2751(97)00003-6

[12] Suzuki, H., Cervero, R., & Iuchi, K. (2013). Transforming cities with transit: Transit and land-use integration for sustainable urban development. World Bank Publications.

https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-9745-9

[13] Bhattacharya, S., Singh, R. (2016). Urban Self-Reliance: An Ecological and Socio-economic Perspective. Journal of Urban Planning, 22(4), 345-360.

[14] Chaudhari, A., Agarwal, P. (2022). Smart Technologies for Circular Urban Systems in Maharashtra. International Journal of Sustainable Cities, 14(2), 110-125.

[15] Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2013). Towards the Circular Economy: Economic and Business Rationale for an Accelerated Transition.

[16] Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N.M.P., Hultink, E.J. (2017). The Circular Economy - A New Sustainability Paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757-768.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048

[17] Joshi, V., Kulkarni, A., Patil, S. (2019). Community Participation in Urban Waste Management: Lessons from Maharashtra. Waste Management & Research, 37(9), 931-940.

[18] Kamble, S., Patankar, P. (2019). Embedding Circular Economy Practices in Indian Urban Areas: Capacity Building Perspectives. Sustainability, 11(16), 4321.

[19] Kumar, R., Singh, M., Shukla, A. (2019). Circular Economy in Maharashtra's Urban Settlements: Water and Waste Management Perspectives. Environmental Policy and Governance, 29(3), 195-205.

[20] Mehta, A., Rao, D. (2021). Policy Integration for Circular Economy Adoption in Urban Maharashtra. Urban Studies Journal, 58(11), 2402-2417.

[21] Patil, N., Deshmukh, R. (2021). Sustainable Practices in Pune and Nashik: Pathways to Urban Self-Reliance. Indian Journal of Environmental Management, 35(1), 67-78.

[22] Rao, S., Kulkarni, V. (2017). Governance Challenges in Circular Economy Implementation: Insights from Indian Cities. Journal of Environmental Management, 203, 934-945.

[23] Saxena, M. (2020). Community-Led Housing and Urban Development in Western Maharashtra. Housing Studies, 35(6), 1057-1073.

[24] Shukla, A., Mehta, P., Singh, R. (2018). Urban Resilience and Self-Reliance: Integrated Planning Approaches. Journal of Sustainable Urban Development, 6(2), 123-138.

[25] Sharma, P., Deshpande, A., Kulkarni, N. (2018). Renewable Energy Microgrids and Urban Energy Self-Reliance in Maharashtra. Energy Policy, 118, 302-312.

[26] Sinha, S., Bhattacharya, J. (2020). Applicability of Circular Economy in Indian Cities. Sustainable Cities and Society, 53, 101944

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101944