Question - How smart city mission addresses socio economic and environmental issues in urban India
Exam = UPSC IES / ISS 2023
Paper = Indian Economics
Answer
The Smart City Mission in India is a visionary and ambitious initiative launched by the Government of India in 2015 to transform and modernize the urban landscape across the country. Its primary goal is to make cities more livable, sustainable, and efficient, addressing a wide range of socio-economic and environmental issues in the process. Some of the ways that the Smart City Mission addresses these issues are:
Improving the core infrastructure of water and electricity supply, solid waste management, improved urban mobility, e-connectivity for governance and services, monitoring for public safety, health and education, and a sustainable environment.
Harnessing technology, especially information and communication technology (ICT), to enable smart outcomes such as better service delivery, citizen participation, transparency, accountability, innovation, and resilience.
Promoting inclusive and participatory planning that involves all stakeholders, especially the urban poor and marginalized groups, in the decision-making and implementation of smart city projects.
Enhancing the economic competitiveness and growth of cities by attracting investments, creating employment opportunities, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and improving the quality of life of citizens.
Developing a performance-based monitoring and evaluation system that tracks the progress and impact of smart city projects using various indicators, such as the Smart City Environmental Sustainability Index (SCESI) developed by Shruti et al. , which measures the environmental sustainability of smart cities on a scale of 0 to 100.
The Smart Cities Mission aims to achieve its objectives through a range of initiatives such as:
1 Developing smart transportation systems to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility.
2 Promoting the use of renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
3 Developing green spaces and parks to improve the quality of life for residents.
4 Providing affordable housing for all citizens.
5 Developing smart waste management systems to reduce waste and promote recycling.
The Smart City Mission in India is a bold and holistic approach to address the complex challenges of urbanization in the 21st century. It aims to create cities that work for the people, not just for the government or the market. By leveraging technology and innovation, it seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban services and systems, while ensuring social equity and environmental sustainability. It is a mission that requires collaboration and coordination among various actors and sectors, as well as constant learning and adaptation to changing needs and contexts.
Some of the examples of how the SCM addresses the socio-economic and environmental issues in urban India are:
Surat Smart City has implemented various projects to improve the city's water management, such as smart metering, leakage detection, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and reuse, etc. These projects have helped reduce water losses, increase water availability, and save costs.
Bhopal Smart City has developed an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) that integrates various city functions and services, such as traffic management, public safety, disaster management, solid waste management, etc. The ICCC enables real-time monitoring, analysis, and decision-making for efficient and responsive urban management.
Ahmedabad Smart City has launched a Heritage Walk project that aims to preserve and promote the city's rich cultural heritage. The project involves restoring and beautifying historic monuments and buildings, creating pedestrian-friendly pathways and plazas, organising guided tours and cultural events, etc. The project has helped boost tourism, generate income for local communities, and enhance civic pride.
Varanasi Smart City has initiated a Social Development Centre (SDC) project that aims to provide holistic development opportunities for the urban poor. The SDCs offer various services and facilities, such as skill training, health care, education, legal aid, financial inclusion, etc., to empower the urban poor and improve their livelihoods.
Agra Smart City has implemented various projects to improve the city's environmental quality and resilience, such as solar rooftop installations, LED street lighting, e-rickshaws, green spaces development, riverfront development, etc. These projects have helped reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption, air pollution, and water pollution.