Understanding Urban Intelligence: An Overview of Smart City Concepts
The Indian government has shortlisted 20 cities for the first round of the 'Smart Cities Mission', an urban renewal initiative aimed at building 100 smart cities across the country. These cities include Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Jaipur, Surat, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Vishakhapatnam, Solapur, Davangere, Indore, New Delhi, Coimbatore, Kakinada, Belagaavi, Udaipur, Guwahati, Chennai, Ludhiana, and Bhopal.
Under this mission, these cities will receive funding from the government to develop sustainable housing capacity, provide basic amenities of water and electricity supply, sanitation, smooth transport, and options for urban mobility. The focus is not only on the basics but also on mobility and a powerful internet connection.
The term 'smart' in smart cities refers to great internet connectivity, digitalising processes such as e-governance, electronic deliveries, monitoring of waste and water for management, and making optimal use of social media. A smart city is connected by the internet, has cameras and sensors set up, and aims to create a sustainable environment.
The Indian Union Budget 2020 proposed the establishment of 5 new smart cities through a state-private partnership. These cities will focus on urban infrastructure, digital technology integration, sustainable and green solutions, and improved public services to enhance the quality of life and promote economic growth.
The government has also allocated funds for the development of these 5 new smart cities. In addition, states that are selected for the 'City Challenge Competition' will receive funding from the government of Rs. 100 crore each year for 5 years to develop their smart cities.
The 'Smart Cities Mission' aims to provide more employment opportunities to people as it requires a lot of manpower to set up a smart city. It was initiated by the government in 2015, with the goal of accommodating a growing migration from villages to cities.
Once the government provides guidelines, a nomination process will take place for cities to be selected for the 'City Challenge Competition'. The 'Smart Cities Mission' has already seen the start of 5,151 projects and the implementation of the mission in over 100 cities.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be created for each smart city project, with the signatures of the Central Government, State Government, and Local body. This SPV will oversee the development and implementation of the smart city project.
In conclusion, the 'Smart Cities Mission' is a significant step towards sustainable and citizen-friendly urban development in India. It aims to improve the quality of life in cities, create employment opportunities, and promote economic growth. The mission is expected to transform the urban landscape of India, making cities more liveable and sustainable.
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