How has the concept of smart
cities come about?
By 2050 about 70% of the world
population will be living in cities and India will need about 500 new cities to
accommodate the rapid influx of population into its urban regions. Interestingly,
urbanization in India has for the longest time been viewed as a by-product of
failed regional planning. Though this is inevitable and will only change when
the benefits of urbanization overtake the costs involved, it is an opportunity
for achieving faster growth. With increasing urbanization and the load on the
land in rural areas, the Indian government has now realized the need for cities
that can with the inherent challenges of urban living and also be magnets for
investment to catalyse the local economies. The announcement of ‘100 smart
cities’ falls in line with this vision.
What is the definition of a
smart city?
A ‘smart city’ is an urban
region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable
real estate, communications and market viability. It is a city with information
technology as its principal infrastructure and the very basis for providing
essential services to its residents. There are many technological platforms
involved, including but not limited to sound futuristic, it is now likely to
become a reality as the ‘smart cities’ movement unfolds in India.
What are the advantages it
offers?
A smart city offers a superior
way of life to its denizens and one wherein economics development and activity
is sustainable and rationally incremental by virtue of being based on success
oriented market drivers such as supply and demand. They literally benefit
everybody, including denizens, business, the government and moreover the
environment.
