In 2015, the Narendra Modi Government has come up with Smart Cities Mission to digitally and economically transform nearly 100 cities in the country. Since a big pie of the GDP comes from these cities, the Government is quite keen on this transformation.
According to the Government, a smart city is seen to be:
Housing and inclusiveness- Expanding housing opportunities for all. The real estate, for its part is going to get a fillip once a city is selected to be part of the smart cities mission.
Creating walkable localities–A city breathes through its coterie of walkers and cyclists. The smart city is seen to reduce congestion and air pollution, boost local economy, promote interactions and ensure security. The road network is created not only for vehicles and public transport, but also for pedestrians and cyclists.
Preserving and developing open spaces- Parks, playgrounds, and recreational spaces in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens, reduce the urban heat effects in areas and generally promote eco-balance. Green and open spaces show that thought has gone into creating the cityscape.
Promoting a variety of transport options- Transit Oriented Development (TOD), public transport and last mile para-transport connectivity.
Making governance citizen-friendly and cost effective- Increasingly rely on online services to bring about accountability and transparency, especially using mobiles. Forming e-groups to listen to people and obtain feedback and use online monitoring of programs and activities with the aid of cyber tour of worksites.
Giving an identity to the city- Based on its main economic activity, such as local cuisine, health, education, arts and craft, culture, sports goods, furniture, hosiery, textile, dairy, etc. Every city has a soul of its own, something the smart city mission will bring out the best.
What are the challenges being faced by the Indian Government in building Smart Cities?
Challenge mode: The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) programme is using the ‘Challenge’ or competition method to select cities for funding and using a strategy of area-based development. So, it is important that cities compete before they are selected to be on the list.
State level leadership: Smart leadership and vision at the level of states and urban local bodies (ULB) and ability to act decisively will be important factors determining the success of the Mission. This could be a challenge in states where leadership is weak.
Capacity assistance: Understanding the concepts of retrofitting, redevelopment and greenfield development by the policy makers, implementers and other stakeholders at different levels will require training. Cultural inertia could slow down the mission as there is a learning curve involved.
Investments: Major investments in time and resources will have to be made during the planning phase prior to participation in the Challenge. It is like a chicken or egg situation where unless you invest, you cannot get on the chosen list.
Smart people: Citizen involvement is much more than a ceremonial participation in governance. Smart people involve themselves in the definition of the Smart City, decisions on deploying Smart Solutions, implementing reforms, doing more with less and oversight during implementing and designing post-project structures.