Saturday, January 30, 2016

[Editorial # 53] Giving cities the smart edge : The Hindu

[Following editorial has been published in The Hindu on 30th January 2016. Read through it and try to answer the questions that follow. Please do not copy and paste answers. The objective of this exercise is to get you in the groove of answer-writing. Try to write in your own words. Don't hesitate to write in a bulleted-format, if you are uncomfortable in writing in paragraph form.]

The Central government’s framework for 20 cities to become ‘smart’ over a five-year period can cover new ground if it makes intelligent use of information technology to deliver better civic services. Rapid and poorly regulated urbanisation has overwhelmed urban governments, rendering them incapable of providing even basic services such as clean water, sewerage, pedestrian-friendly roads, public transport, uninterrupted power, street lighting, parks and recreational spaces. So weak and uncoordinated is governance that commercial entities have wilfully violated building regulations and put up unauthorised structures — with severe impact on congestion, air quality and flood management — and governments have gladly regularised the violations later. The smart city plan now proposes to intervene and bring some order by upgrading the physical infrastructure in select enclaves, and incentivising the use of information and communication technologies. Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has come up with a generalised definition of a smart Indian city as one that “enables a decent life to the citizens, and green and sustainable environment, besides enabling adoption of smart solutions”, but the exercise should lead to measurable outcomes.


The first batch of smart cities would create virtually new business districts in several cities, marking a departure from the disaggregated urban development witnessed over the past few decades. This area-based development approach makes it imperative that the resulting demand for mobility to and from the ‘smart’ area be made an integral part of the plan, with an emphasis on walkability, use of non-motorised transport and access to public transport. Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar have shown high ambition by opting for a common travel card. Others such as Indore, Davangere and Belagavi plan Intelligent Transport Solutions, something that has been unattainable for even a big metro such as Chennai. Although it enjoys high visibility, the smart city programme is merely a framework for urban development aided by the Centre with a small initial seed fund of Rs.500 crore, while additional finances have to come from public-private partnerships and local revenue. State governments, including those left out of the first list, could unlock the potential of all cities with development policies that aim at structural change. Improved public transport, for instance, has an immediate positive impact on the local economy. Technologies such as GPS to inform passengers in real time on their mobile phones, and common ticketing, increase the efficiency of transport use. Universal design in public buildings and streets would help all people, including those with disabilities. The challenge for Smart Cities 1.0 is to provide proof of concept quickly and make outcomes sustainable. Care also needs to be taken that the effect is not to create gated communities of best practices and civic upgrade in a wider landscape of urban distress. It is crucial that these urban enclaves cater to the housing, health, education and recreation needs of a wide cross section of society, and that the convergence of the Smart Cities programme with existing urban renewal projects countrywide be smooth.

Questions:

1. What are Smart Cities? What are the features of Smart City program?

2. What are the problems currently being faced by urban areas? What in your opinion are the causes of such problems?

3. Which ministry is responsible for implementing Smart Cities Program? What is the role of State Governments in implementing the program?

4. What is understood by local governance? What are the areas which fall under the purview of local governance? Name the local urban body in your city?

5. Study the Intelligent Transport Solutions of Indore, Davengere and Belagavi? Can such solution be adopted in your city? Why or why not?

6. What are the possible challenges in implementing Smart Cities Program?

7. What are the various technologies which would be used for implementing the Smart Cities Program?

8. Do you think that Smart Cities Program could lead to more migration towards cities and hence the existing problems are going to be aggravated instead of getting solved? Comment. (200 words)

26 comments:

  1. 1.
    Smart citiy programme is launched by the Modi Government to enhance the development of 100 cities or places, which are widely distributed all over the country. The programme is not just about raising buildings and industries but it is more about providing the access to fresh water, sanitation, better transports, better internet access and health fecilities, in an technological manner and rapidly.
    Rapid and poorly regulated urbanisation has overwhelmed urban governments, rendering them incapable of providing even basic services such as clean water, sewerage, pedestrian-friendly roads, public transport, uninterrupted power, street lighting, parks and recreational spaces. The smart city plan now proposes to intervene and bring some order by upgrading the physical infrastructure in select enclaves, and incentivising the use of information and communication technologies.

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  2. 2. The current situation of the urban areas are deteriorating in many ways. the most important problem is of the cleanliness. People are educated but not tilted towards the mentality of cleaning the cities. Throwing garbage and public spitting are the most prevalent. Pollution is the other issue which is increasing at the dramatic pace. People are not utilizing the public transport in an efficient manner. Pollution due to humongous traffic is bound to concentrate, and that because of the inadequate traffic management, inappropriate road construction, that causes traffic blockage. Cities like Chennai, which is not smartly designed and led to catastrophic flood situations. Sanitation is not maintained by the government agencies, causes health issues and diseases.
    All the problems mentioned above are increasing due to massive immigration to urban areas from other corners of the country. Since other pockets of the country are not filled, people are bound to come and settle in urban areas. This impulsing population density axiomatically resulting in the lack of resources. The program of Smart Cities is to develop the underdeveloped or "Bimaroo" regions, so that further push factors could be halted or at least lessen its pace.
    Regions like Bihar, UP, northern West Bengal, Orissa etc are suffering from the nature of discrimination from the central government. Seven sisters in the north-eastern regions are packed with resources but still not utilized upto its brim. Private players are not ready to go in these regions because they are not getting any backing form the government. Public Private Partnership is a failure in underdeveloped regions.
    Today there is an urgent need to create and equilibrium in such disparities through programs like "Smart Cities", but the first list (first phase) is not very encouraging on the part of underdeveloped regions. Allotments are given to already well doing cities. Smart City cannot win the race of development without wearing the shoes of "smart villages".

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  3. Smart Cities focus on their most pressing needs and on the greatest opportunities to improve lives. They tap a range of approaches - digital and information technologies, urban planning best practices, public-private partnerships, and policy change - to make a difference. They always put people first.
    In the approach to the Smart Cities Mission, the objective is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of 'Smart' Solutions. The focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at compact areas, create a replicable model which will act like a light house to other aspiring cities. The Smart Cities Mission is meant to set examples that can be replicated both within and outside the Smart City, catalysing the creation of similar Smart Cities in various regions and parts of the country.
    Smart citiy programme is launched by the Modi Government to enhance the development of 100 cities or places, which are widely distributed all over the country. The programme is not just about raising buildings and industries but it is more about providing the access to fresh water, sanitation, better transports, better internet access and health fecilities, in an technological manner and rapidly.
    Rapid and poorly regulated urbanisation has overwhelmed urban governments, rendering them incapable of providing even basic services such as clean water, sewerage, pedestrian-friendly roads, public transport, uninterrupted power, street lighting, parks and recreational spaces. The smart city plan now proposes to intervene and bring some order by upgrading the physical infrastructure in select enclaves, and incentivizing the use of information and communication technologies.

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  4. 3. Ministry of Urban Development is responsible for the implementation of the Smart City Programme. Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has come up with a generalised definition of a smart Indian city.

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  5. 4. LOCAL GOVERNANCE: - Local governance is the smallest unit of the government on an aggregate. Local governance refers to the implementation of state policies or strengthening of local governmental agencies at the ground level. Such a local governance is utterly required for the efficient and smooth functioning of the decentralized form of government. local governance enhance the degree of accountability and mass participation in the running of the nation. Local Government encourages the accountability, decentralization, transparency, participation of locals and ground level implementation of state policies.
    AREAS FALL UNDER LOCAL GOVERNANCE: -
    Council plans, financial plans, municipal strategic statements and other strategic plans.
    Responsible for managing and delivering a range of quality services to their communities, such as public health and recreational facilities, local road maintenance, and public libraries.
    The laws made by local governments are called local laws and cover issues such as the activities permitted on public land, animal management, and use of infrastructure.
    Councils often represent their local community on matters of concern to those constituents.

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  6. 1.
    "Smart cities" is a mission initiated in India by NDA gvt in the tenure of PM Narendra Modi.In this mission,the gvt has shortlisted 100 cities amongst the number of potential cities to be converted into satellite towns of larger cities.
    A 'smart city' as delivered by gvt is an urban region with :-
    -advanced overall infrastructure
    -proper communication
    -market availability
    -sustainable real estate.
    Information technology and basic for providinf essential services to residents is the key infrastructure in smart city.

    A smart city will be facilitated with :-
    -basic infrastrucutre
    -good quality of life
    -sanitation and solid waste management system
    -efficient urban mobility
    -public transport
    -robust IT connectivity
    -e-goverance

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  7. 5. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS: - Intelligent transport systems vary in technologies applied, from basic management systems such as car navigation, traffic signal control systems, container management systems, variable message signs, automatic number plate recognition or speed cameras to monitor applications, such as security CCTV systems; and to more advanced applications that integrate live data and feedback from a number of other sources, such as parking guidance and information systems, weather information etc. Additionally, predictive techniques are being developed to allow advanced modelling and comparison with historical baseline data.
    Such an advanced technology can be implemented currently in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Calcutta. Since the NSDP is comparatively efficient in these cities, heavy investment in these technologies is possible. Other regions are not well enough to afford such a advanced intelligent technology. Japan, US, UK, and some developed cities of China have already introduced such technologies. Primarily for India, these technologies is a pipe dream, as of now, because Metro trains are partially successful, other than Delhi and Mumbai. Bullet train is yet to come. Such a heavy investment is possible only after achieving the basic infrastructure , which is not satisfied in India. Roads and railways in India are not privatized and well maintained, traffic rules are taken seriously other than metro cities of India. We could claim the implementation of IT in Indore, Davengere and Belagavi satisfying, but the reality is far away than our satisfaction level.

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  8. 6. POSSIBLE CHALLENGES WHILE IMPLEMENTATION OF SMART CITY PROGRAMME : -
    States and ULBs will play a key supportive role in the development of Smart Cities. Smart leadership and vision at this level and ability to act decisively will be important factors determining the success of the Mission.
    Understanding the concepts of retrofitting, redevelopment and greenfield development by the policy makers, implemented and other stakeholders at different levels will require capacity assistance. Major investments in time and resources will have to be made during the planning phase prior to participation in the Challenge. This is different from the conventional DPR-driven approach.
    The Smart Cities Mission requires smart people who actively participate in governance and reforms. Citizen involvement is much more than a ceremonial participation in governance. The participation of smart people will be enabled by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through increasing use of ICT, especially mobile-based tools.
    Politically, main hurdles could be created by different political parties at the center and the state level. Political issues might arrest the pace of its implementation. Powers of both State government and central government are defined in the constitution, these subjects might clash with each other while enforcing the smart cities programme.
    After looking at the current deficit (3.6), inflation rate(4.2), slow rate of industrial growth (1.6), declining exports, sluggish acceleration of foreign investments are showing the blurred picture of Indian economy. In such situation it would be difficult to maintain the speed of the programme financially.
    Equal distribution of water resources and land acquisitions are other problematic issues for the smart development. These cannot be distributed in equity, due to their relative preferences.
    Successful implementation of smart city solutions needs effective horizontal and vertical coordination between various institutions providing various municipal amenities as well as effective coordination between central government, state government and local government agencies on various issues related to financing and sharing of best practices and service delivery processes.
    Building capacity for 100 smart cities is not an easy task and most ambitious projects are delayed owing to lack of quality manpower, both at the center and state levels. In terms of funds, only around 5 per cent of the central allocation may be allocated for capacity building programs that focus on training, contextual research, knowledge exchange and a rich database. Investments in capacity building programs have a multiplier effect as they help in time-bound completion of projects and in designing programs, developing faculty, building databases as well as designing tool kits and decision support systems. As all these have a lag time, capacity building needs to be strengthened right at the beginning.

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  9. 2.
    Although India is one of the less urbanized countries with only 27.78% of her population living in urban towns,yet the country is facing series of urban growth in the present time.

    Amongst the urban crisis,the major problems which the urban areas are facing are:-
    -urban sprawl
    -overcrowding and depersonalisation
    -unemployment
    -shortage of water and electricity
    -sewerage problem
    -pollution
    -electromic disposal(newest hazardous waste)

    According to me,major causes of problems faced by urban areaa are:-
    -unplanned growth of urban areas
    -population(both natural and migrating)
    Lack of education and awareness
    -corruption

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  10. 8. Smart Cities focus on their most pressing needs and on the greatest opportunities to improve lives. They tap a range of approaches - digital and information technologies, urban planning best practices, public-private partnerships, and policy change to make a difference.
    In the approach to the Smart Cities Mission, the objective is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of 'Smart' Solutions. The focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at compact areas, create a replicable model which WILL ACT LIKE A LIGHT HOUSE FOR OTHER ASPIRING CITIES. The Smart Cities Mission is meant to set examples that can be replicated both within and outside the Smart City, catalysing the creation of similar Smart Cities in various regions and parts of the country.
    Adequate water supply, Assured electricity supply, Sanitation, including solid waste management, Efficient urban mobility and public transport, Affordable housing, especially for the poor, Robust IT connectivity and digitalization, Good governance, especially e-Governance and citizen participation, Sustainable environment, Safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly, and Health and education. These core infrastructural elements will contribute significantly in reducing the problems of existing urban cities.
    Implementation of Smart City Programme (SCP) is on the verge of the commencement and all eyes are on the rate of employment, migration, pollution, population of the country. the migration from rural to urban areas is the most highlighted issue because the push and pull factors will change the direction after the implementation of the programme.
    the focus of SCP is on raising the employment. Its obvious that employment will take place (not sure about the rate). Push factor will reduce and people (mainly men) will be employed as the labor and emigration will reduce, at least more that current rate. People go to urban places in search of employment, and the saturation level is reached in urban area, thus lots of outside people are living in urban areas without employment.
    Other reason for the migration is better living standard and felicitative life. If government get successful in providing the basic amenities in these shortlisted cities, people will automatically prefer to stay there only, instead of consuming polluting air. One of the main objective of the Smart Cities is to disintegrate the population into 100 different cities. Pull factors will occur in Smart cities, which will reduce the population density of the existing developed cities, thus the resources and felicities will be more accessible.
    BUT, the first list of the SCP will not result in the reduction of migration, population and pollution density, since the selected lists are already the attraction for the people. This announcement could further complicate the situation of resource scarcity and sustainability. If we analyze carefully, second list will determine the real situation when regions, other than already developed, will be taken into consideration.

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  11. 1. What are Smart Cities? What are the features of Smart City program?
    A. artcile 21A of the consitituion of india provides decent living as a fundamental right. Hence smart cities are the ones which have a holistic phenomenon of developmental institutions, social , economic and physical infrastructure which provides citizens to lead a decent and quality living with focus on sustainability with efficient use of resources through smart technologies.
    FEATURES:
    PRIMARY NEEDS:-
    1. clean water supply
    2.safe and secure cities especially for women, children, disbled and elderly
    3.health and education
    4. sustainable environment
    5. efficient use of energy
    3.decent sanitation facilities including solid waste mgt

    SECONDARY NEEDS:
    4.proper traffic management
    5.urban housing which is affordable and accessible to all
    6.good governance especially e-governance
    9.robust IT connectivity and Digitalisation.

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  12. 2. What are the problems currently being faced by urban areas? What in your opinion are the causes of such problems?
    A.with urban centers becoming the engines of growth, parliament has enacted 74th CAA wihc provides for the urban local bodies. The following are the problems being faced by urban areas.

    IMMIGRATION:
    Immigration is due to the migration of people from rural areas to urban centers who come in search of employment . This is the fallout of the irregularity of the monsoons leading to crop failure .To earn a decent living mostly the men are moving to the cities. However, the lack of skills leads to their exploitation by the middlemen. This results in the increase in slums.
    The skilled and semi-skilled people migrate to the cities in their search for white collar jobs. Thus the mass migration of people from the villages to the cities leads to urbanisation.
    ENERGY SHORTAGE:
    Due to excess demand of the power there will be powercuts even in the cities also.
    TRAFFIC CONGESTION:
    The rise in the white collar workers increases the vehicular per capita in the cities. This in addition to the faulty developmental planning with narrow roads and lack of policy measures to encourage public transport and discourage private vehicles adds fuel to the fire.
    GARBAGE:
    the rise in population exponentially and due to lack of visionary measures to cater the garbage disposal sites eventually leads to the dumping of garbage in the villages in the periphery. The ill state of Mandur village in karnataka is due to the dumping of garbage from bangalore.
    POLLUTION:an exponential rise in population in cities reduces the quality of air .Moreover with the industrial areas effluent flow into the rivers rings the bell for their condition.The pity state of the ganga and the musi river in hyderabad are the victims of such cause.
    CRIME RATE:
    the unemployment crippled with living standards and inflation increases the cases of theft,robbery etc.

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  13. 3. Which ministry is responsible for implementing Smart Cities Program? What is the role of State Governments in implementing the program?
    A. ministry of urban development is entrusted with the resoponsibility of implementing the smart cities programme.
    ststes have to conduct intra-state competition of cities based on the criteria given by the central government. The list of selected states of stage 1 are given to the central government. Again the inter-state competition is held and the final result is declared as the winners of stage 1. The runners have to fix the loopholes in their Smart city proposals. They can participate in the second round. the selected cities will form SPVs with the local bodies, state and central governments.Then the CG will fund the 500crore for 1 city over a period of 5 years for developemnt.As there are 100 smart cities the overall budget is 50000crores.
    The role of government is to conduct the intra-state competition. once the cities are selected they have to meet the criteria to get central assistance.

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  14. 6. What are the possible challenges in implementing Smart Cities Program?
    A.
    ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGES:-
    SURVEYS:
    implementation of the scheme requires proper access to the facts and figures with regards to the immigration , holding capacity of the cities, number of slums and their population. Lack of acccurate figures with regards to the BPL by various committies muddles the water.Thus the socio-economic caste census ,2011 may provide near appropriate figures for policy initiatives.
    LACK OF COORDINATION:-
    THE LACK of coordination among the various agencies increases the wasteful use of resources. For instance within one week the underground cable lines of optic fiber will be started soon after the road is laid by the kar state road corporation. Thus the use of resources are not used in efficient ways
    INVESTMENT CHALLENGES:
    the raise of violence on minorities such as attack on churches will be a hindarace for the money through FDI route , as the investors prefered more stable scenario for investment.
    lack of timely implementation of bills such as LAB, GST, etc by the parliament due to political deadlock may result in increase of trust deficit. This will impact the investor sentiment which is mojor source for capital expenditure.
    the slowdown of global scenario and the china's currency devaluation may attract foreign investors as it benefits them to make profit.
    SOCIAL CHALLENGES:
    the rise of farmers unrest along with the minority uprisings like dalits with the death of rohit vehumala which gathered world's attraction and the proposal of railways and othe trade unions to go for a strike in march may not yield expected results due to the clash of ideology of left or right of pro-centric approach.
    SECURITY ISSUES:
    the recent attack on pathankot shows the negligence of police personnel. This shows the failure of intelligence gatheing and prcessing the data. More over, the rise of crime against women and the rollback of the CSS by 20% to the states presents govt is acting for upper sections rather than lower sections.
    DEMOGRAPHY issues:
    it is estimated by UNICEF that by 2050 ,50- 75% of indians live in cities. Catering to the needs of all people will be a tough challenge before govt.
    INFRASTRUCTURE
    acquisition of private propety for the extension of roads or building of projects by proper rehabilitation and resettlement will be a challenge.

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  15. 1. What are Smart Cities? What are the features of Smart City program?
    It is a new initiative by the Government of India to drive the economic growth and improve the quality of life of people living in the cities by enabling local development and harnessing technology for the same.
    Some features of Smart Cities:
    i) Promotion of mixed land use in area based developments and proximity to increase efficiency of land use
    ii) Expand housing opportunities for all.
    iii) Focus on public transport, non motorized vehicles and increasing walkability of paths.
    iv) Preserving and developing open spaces like lakes, gardens, parks, etc.
    v) Promoting public transportation and last mile para-transport connectivity.
    vi) Increased usage of technology to make governance more transparent.
    vii) Promoting the identity of city by preserving culture, cuisine, art and crafts, etc.
    viii) Apply Smart Solution to improve infrastructure.
    2. What are the problems currently being faced by urban areas? What in your opinion are the causes of such problems?
    Currently, there are a plethora of problems facing urban areas, however some are more prevalent in certain cities than others. Certain common problems faced are:
    i) Absence of proper public transportation leading to more traffic and pollution.
    ii) Lack of industries cause lack of jobs and revenue gained by the State.
    iii) Need for proper waste disposal.
    iv) Lack of proper housing, electricity and basic amenities to workers and the underprivileged.
    v) Deplorable condition of roads causing many deaths and reducing speed of traffic.
    vi) Failing to preserve natural resources like lakes, parks, etc.
    One would like to squarely place the blame on the State Government and the administration. However, the people themselves decide the Government. So, it is due to elite ‘intellectuals’ like ourselves who choose not to vote and only whine and curse, that the Government is content to pandiculate.

    3. Which ministry is responsible for implementing Smart Cities Program? What is the role of State Governments in implementing the program?
    The Ministry of Urban Development is responsible for implementing the Smart Cities Program.
    Role of the State Government to be as follows:
    i) Shortlisting of cities by the States to be included in the Smart Cities Mission. Cities have to compete based on the qualifying criteria to be chosen by the State Government.
    ii) Implementation of the Mission will be done in the cities by a Special Purpose Vehicle which will oversee the funds released. It shall consist of a full time CEO, nominees of Central Government, State Government and Urban Local Bodies.
    iii) The State Government and the ULB will decide the paid up capital and can give an equal amount as the Centre funds.
    iv) Funding of Smart Cities Mission will also be done by attracting investment from internal and external sources.
    v) A State level High Powered Steering Committee shall steer the programme at the State level which will have representatives from the State Government.
    vi) The State Government and the Urban Local Body shall assist the Consulting Firm in preparation of a Smart City Proposal prescribing the city-wide plan, strategy and a Smart City Proposal.

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  16. 4. What is understood by local governance? What are the areas which fall under the purview of local governance? Name the local urban body in your city?
    An administrative body for a small geographical area which may be a district, block or a village is called local governance. Part IX and IX-A of the Constitution of India deal with governance at the local level.
    Under Schedule 11 of the Constitution areas falling under purview of local governance of Panchayats are agriculture, fisheries, anumal husbandry, drinking water and fuel and fodder among others.
    12th Schedule highlights areas under purview of Municipal bodies like urban planning, roads and bridges, water supply and fire services among several others.
    Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Pallike (BBMP) is the local urban body in my city Bengaluru.

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  18. Bengaluru is in dire need of Intelligent Transport Solutions and the following measures would greatly help the commuters, pedestrians and the environment as well:
    i) Improving public transport with real time updation of routes and ETA will help discourage personal transport.
    ii) Proper bicycle paths and dedicated foothpaths
    iii) Use of technology to update parking availability.

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  19. A smart city will be a city wherein the primary infrastructure would be Information technology to render services to people of that city. It will be an urban region which will be highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure and sustainable development.
    The features of smart city are as follows:
    1.Expanding housing opportunity for all.
    2.creation and preservation of open spaces, so that the heat of the city would come down and will provide relief for the citizens.
    3.Having plan for unplanned areas and to make land use more efficient.
    4.Creating walkable localities, so reducing congestion, pollution and boosting local economy.
    5.Providing for variety of transport options (public transport, Transit oriented development).
    6.making governance citizen friendly by use of technology.
    7.Creating an identity for the city.

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  20. Problems being faced by urban areas are as follows:
    1.Increasing population in the Urban areas. resources are anyways limited in city with the growing population in the city it adds pressure on the available resources.
    2.Pollution- more vehicles, more pollution, more use of petrol and diesel vehicle, public transportation not effective, deforestation as the city has to grow to accommodate more people.
    3.Illegal and unsafe construction- since there is a pressure to accommodate increasing number of people, the cities are expanding and that also at an alarming speed, so it results in faulty construction which can easily be shattered by natural disaster.
    4.Sanitation
    5.power shortage

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  21. Smart cities are urban areas which are highly advanced in terms of infrastructure, sustainable real estate, and communications and market viability. It main physical infrastructure is in the form of Information and Communications technology mainly in the form of automated sensor networks and data centers. they are cities in which economic development and activity are sustainable and are based on market viability i.e. are governed by the forces of supply and demand. A Smart City makes use of Information and Communications Technology to enhance the quality , performance and interactivity of urban services and to reduce the input costs and resource consumption, and also to improve interaction between the citizens and their government. The concept of Smart Cities was first flouted soon after the 2008 financial meltdown, by IBM which began its work on the smart cities project in concert with its Smarter Planet initiative. Today, there are many countries that India can effectively choose to emulate with regard to the Smart Cities Mission including, Vienna, Amsterdam, Cairo etc…

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  22. There are a number of issues faced by the average citizen in urban localities some of the most pertinent being :
    1. Lack of adequate drainage and sanitation, a shortfall that was clearly highlighted in the Chennai debacle of 2015.
    2. Related to the first point are illegal and unplanned constructions sprouting up in different parts of the city. Constructions without municipal clearances, and manipulation of mandated norms ( for example building three floors instead of the legal two ) are all regular phenomena that result from the avarice of profit mongers seeking to benefit from the extreme population pressure in urban areas. Such unplanned construction alters the preset layout of sewerage and drainage and neglects to construct new requisite facilities. In the case of Chennai, buildings were constructed on low lying land areas vulnerable to flooding, which should have served as catchment areas.
    3. Apart from the urban elite with permanent housing and basic facilities, there are also the urban slums that are sprawled across the landscape of every major city in India. Urban agglomeration, with city extensions being occupied with less developed outskirts and slums are the bane of urban existence. Apart from the core area which is developed and has all the requisite facilities, the peripheral areas suffer from lack of sanitation and facilities, which is the perfect breeding ground for poverty-induced social ills.
    4. In addition to these problems, the existing facilities themselves are grossly underdeveloped. Transport infrastructure such as roads and highways are inundated with potholes, communications infrastructure is plagued by issues of lack of last-mile connectivity, frequent call drops, lack of access of poorer sections and others.. Existing physical infrastructure, being illegally assembled , most of the time, does not comply with safety rules and regulations and therefore could be inimical in the long run.
    Lack of facilities is not the only or most serious problem. It is in fact the ineffective functioning , efficiency of these services that constitutes a larger part of the problem in urban areas.

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  23. The Ministry for Urban Development is the authority responsible for the implementation of the Smart Cities Project. While the basic framework and layout with regard to common features in all Smart Cities will be prepared by this Ministry and along with this and initial seed fund of 500 crore rupees will be provided , the State governments are responsible for implementation, as also for identifying the specificities of their urban locales. The state governments are also to provide an additional 500 crores towards the implementation of the project.

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  24. Local Governance refers to a grassroots level method of governance, characterized by direct elections and popular participation and representation. Provisions for grassroots level representation in rural areas , through Panchayats were in existence in India even during the British era, but obtained an institutionalized structure with the 73rd and 74th amendments to the constitution in 1993 and 1994 respectively. These amendments resulted in the formation of the three tier Panchayati Raj system as the mechanism of local governance in rural areas and Municipal corporation and councils as urban local bodies. These are mechanism of popular democracy, allowing people at the very lowest level to participate in the governance of their own locales. The present municipal corporation in Bengaluru is the BBMP-Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike .

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  25. Intelligent Transportation Solutions refer to the use of ICT for enhancing transport safety , productivity, energy efficiency, etc.. For example road pricing strategies such as toll booths and smartcards have been successfully implemented in the United States to reduce traffic congestion and to promote the shift to public transport such as Bus Rapid Transit Systems. Use of automated speed alerts and enforcement, traveler information, asset management, intelligent cruise control, route planning, etc.. are all tactics that could be adopted to streamline the working and efficiency of transport systems.
    Such extensive programs however require large financial layouts which could possibly contribute to increased Central and State fiscal deficits.
    More pertinent however is whether such solutions will work effectively in India cities. The extensive use of ICT services presupposes that physical infrastructure is efficient and smoothly functioning. However given the dismal state of physical infrastructure in Indian cities, such an extensive program of ICT solutions is hardly viable. Even if implemented its working will be severely hindered by the loopholes in the physical infrastructure system. The proliferation of communications technology and its working should serve as an educating example. Despite heavy competition and demand for communications services providers, the undeveloped spectrum and tower infrastructure and its uneven distribution have hindered its efficient working and its reach and benefits. Therefore even before such ITS solutions are sought to be incorporated , the state governments should ensure that existing physical infrastructure is in good condition or in necessary be upgraded.

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  26. 8. Migration of the populace from the rural to urban areas is a recurrent phenomenon in the Indian scenario. While migration of those employed in agriculture and allied activities is driven by the perceived better conditions of urban life, it is also hindered by the relatively safety of remaining back in the village. Economists have observed that to people from rural areas weigh the costs of leaving behind the relative safety of their homes and agricultural occupation and the benefits that will accrue from ,moving to the cities. Given the development of a greater number of cities there are also increased possibilities that the benefits will outweigh the costs for a greater quantum of the agricultural populace. Migration might therefore increase to a greater extent. This however has attendant problems :
    1. Since Smart Cities are based upon the implementation of ICT services, it is improbable that sufficient employment opportunities will be created for the migrant laborers, and even if created the migrant workers could not be expected to possess the requisite skill set. Along with existing urban unemployment therefore additional burdens of unemployed and unskilled populace will rise.

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