The Indian Smart Cities Mission (SCM) launched in 2015 has been a significant attempt to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling “local area development and harnessing technology that leads to smart outcomes, so that these cities are liveable, inclusive and sustainable” such that their thriving economies offer multiple opportunities to people to pursue their diverse interests. The application of ‘smart’ solutions to overcome various urban problems is the key feature that distinguishes the SCM from equally laudable urban-reform initiatives of the past. .
How much have we benefited from SCM? As per the Ease of Living (EOL) survey of conducted by the government during 2019-20 among 3.5 million citizenunder the programme, the average satisfaction response is only 53.51 %. Bangalore ( 66. 70% )topped the ranking, though only 45 % citizens approved the working of its municipal body. Even Lutyen’s Delhi, managed by the centrally controlled New Delhi Municipal Council, could managed satisfy only 57.5 % respondents. Clearly, there are shortcomings and a lot of work remains to be done.
The current concept of smart cities in India is an attempt to bring in technology to showcase the application of data analytics for better governance to predefined geographic portions of a city. However, our cities are classic examples of urban sprawl and historical governance neglect. They are not amenable to smartness stimuli because of legacy problems: inadequate basic physical infrastructure, unstoppable migration from rural to urban areas and the abysmal application of modern technologies.
Elsewhere, there are examples of smart cities coming up from scratch. Masdar in the UAE has two layers of developmentthe bottom layer has the multiple water and sanitation pipes and cabling while the higher layer has all the energy-efficient buildings run on renewable energy sources and with a zero-carbon and zero-waste design. Songdo city in ROK, and PlanIT Valley in Portugal are other such examples. The GIFT city in Gandhinagar is starting on the right note with sound infrastructure planning. Butsmart cities with comprehensive habitations and viable economic activity are still a long way from success.
We should first ensure that all our cities have the basics of quality physical infrastructure in place. We then need to provide a high level of supporting infrastructure: parking lots, foot-overbridges, pedestrian walkways, vehicular and pedestrian underpasses, decongestion
planning and flyovers.
We will have to get our urban management systems right – traffic, parking and mobility management. Barely 5% oflndian population has access to metros and other high-capacity public transport systems; not surprisingly, urban mobility scores low in the EO L satisfaction index. Even city bus systems are overloaded and the well-heeled are loath to using them.
We also need to also focus on making our cities green and more climate-resilient. Most of our cities exceed WHO guidelines for PM2.5. Along with direct pollution mitigation measures we require climateresilient, supportive infrastructure like mandatory water harvesting, protection of green areas, lakes, tanks and promotion of energy-efficient architecture.
The current concept of smart cities in India is an attempt to bring in technology to showcase the application of data analytics for better governance to predefined geographic portions of a city
We also need to induce behavioural changes in citizens so that they see the benefits and value of sustainable living. Rooftop solar energy systems and gardens need to be mandated.
Cities world over are becoming aware that data, and the infrastructure to analyse them, will eventually become as important to their citizens’ welfare as the power grid and the transport system.
Several initiatives are being undertaken in India as well. There is need for integration of a city’s data warehouse with its operations centre so that data is collated, analysed and put to effective use and for the data to be used as a public digital asset so as to give citizens the tools that will allow them to get involved with running of the city effectively as true stakeholders. and pedestrian underpasses, decongestion
planning and flyovers.
We will have to get our urban management systems right – traffic, parking and mobility management. Barely 5% oflndian population has access to metros and other high-capacity public transport systems; not surprisingly, urban mobility scores low in the EOL satisfaction index. Even city bus systems are overloaded and the well-heeled are loath to using them.
We also need to also focus on making our cities green and more climate-resilient. Most of our cities exceed WHO guidelines for PM2.5. Along with direct pollution mitigation measures we require climateresilient, supportive infrastructure like mandatory water harvesting, protection of green areas, lakes, tanks and promotion of energy-efficient architecture.
