The Urban Blue: Pathways for Port-Led Inclusive Growth in India

This edition of the ORF Fellows Seminar Series will discuss Dr. Anusha Kesarkar-Gavankar’s paper on ‘The Urban Blue: Pathways for Port-Led Inclusive Growth in India.’ Port cities are playing an increasingly vital role in driving economic growth within the blue economy. This paper examines how these cities, particularly in the Global South, can strike a balance between economic development, social equity, and environmental sustainability. It emphasises the imperative of integrating local contexts—especially the needs of Indigenous peoples and local communities—as well as cultural heritage into urban planning, and discusses three critical dimensions: governance, climate resilience, and inclusion. Through relevant case studies and policy analysis, it identifies governance models and strategies that align prosperity with environmental and social goals. It offers recommendations to strengthen institutional coordination, advance people-centric planning, and guide future research on sustainable coastal development. Grounded in these three dimensions, it outlines pathways for India to align its ambitious port-led growth strategies with community-driven approaches, cultural preservation, and climate-adaptive, locally informed governance.