Five Essential Elements of a Smart City
2015-01-23![Five Essential Elements of a Smart City Five Essential Elements of a Smart City](https://varindia.com/public/index.php/storage/news/uploads/2015/01/Sanjay-Dutt-Executive-Managing-Director-Cushman-Wakefield.jpg)
![Sanjay Dutt, Executive Managing Director, South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield](http://www.varindia.com/uploads/2015/01/Sanjay-Dutt-Executive-Managing-Director-Cushman-Wakefield-207x191.jpg)
In a report released by Cushman & Wakefield at the conference organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, entitled “Modern Urbanization – Challenges in setting up Smart Cities” in New Delhi, C&W has identified five crucial elements that need simultaneous growth to ensure that India is able to create “Smart Cities” as per the plan. The five elements are Power, Infrastructure, Funds, Technology and Social Capital.
India is rapidly urbanizing and the urban population in 2031 is expected to increase to 600 million, which will be crucial to the country’s economic growth and they will require massive restructuring to support the future population. Smart cities propose a solution to mitigate the problem of urbanization. They integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT), energy efficiency and sustainability to support future generations.
Smart cities require clean and continuous supply of power and for this there is a need to develop alternative energy sources to make the cities financially and ecologically viable. Both physical and social infrastructure developments will be crucial. In addition to this, upgradation and maintenance of the existing infrastructure is necessary. Developing innovative and viable mechanisms to secure funds for developing smart cities is essential. Strategies to engage multiple stakeholders will be necessary. Finally, smart cities require technology advancements that can support the overall objective of the initiative. Promoting innovations in technology and providing skilled human capital that can create, engage and sustain the future cities will be an integral element.
The report further states that, irrespective of the categorization, all smart cities integrate ICT into different components. These components include Energy, Transportation, Smart Buildings, Governance, and Social Infrastructure. However, the scope and extent of this integration and application may greatly vary between cities.
Sanjay Dutt, Executive Managing Director, South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield, said, “The government plans to develop 100 smart cities over the next 20 years which will require the government to look at new cities, satellite towns near megacities, upgradation of mid-sized cities as well as construction of settlements along industrial corridors will be undertaken, as part of this initiative.”
Smart cities depend on non-renewable resources for generating power, promote mixed use developments to encourage walkability and reduce wastage of resources. Efficient energy management through smart grids and smart metering are an important feature. These cities provide seamless integrated public transportation that allows efficient and swift mobility across the city. Smart cities will consist of energy-efficient buildings that reduce the overall carbon footprint. Every citizen will have access to quality social and physical infrastructure. In addition to this, reformed governance structure with accountable and empowered urban local bodies will support effective implementation and future sustenance of the cities.
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