India is currently witnessing massive urbanization and the urban population is expected to increase in the future as well. So, the Indian cities will require massive restructuring to support the future population. Smart cities have solution to mitigate the problem of urbanization. They integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT), energy efficiency and sustainability to support future generations.
What exactly do you mean by a smart city?
Smart city has become a popular phrase these days. Everyone keeps talking about how cities need to be smarter. So, what exactly is this smart city? It is basically a designation given to a city that extensively uses technology to make life of its citizen simpler and more comfortable, apart from being environment-friendly. Smart city projects can resolve problems of many countries, including India, that suffer from poor planning and maintenance.
Characteristics of smart cities
Effective utilization of data
A smart city should ideally gather huge volumes of data to be analyzed rapidly to offer useful information to residents. You can install open data portals to publish online city data and this data can be accessed and used for predictive analysis to identify future models.
Solid waste disposal system
As population multiplies, the volume of waste also goes up. Effective waste management is another characteristic of smart city projects that is bound to benefit not only citizen but the environment as well. In some smart cities in India plans are afoot to convert certain waste materials to energy as well as fuel. It is necessary to dispose of waste properly in any city and this objective is at the heart of most smart cities.
Better utilization of water
Water is an essential commodity and urban areas face acute shortage during peak summers. So, preserving the water and its proper utilization are largely emphasized in the smart city planning. In this endeavor, the cities are stressing upon the installation of water meters to ensure residents are charged as per usage. These meters are also adept at detecting leakage as well. So, several smart city projects, especially in India, are being planned with sustainable water management systems, to avoid any kind of wastage. This is another hallmark of a smart city.
Smart transport management
Better traffic management is another characteristic of a smart city. An efficient public transport network that brings down energy consumption and traffic congestion are needed for the wellbeing of urban population. So, in smart cities the transport is managed in an efficient manner, so that the infamous traffic jams and the ensuing pollution become a thing of the past. In addition, a smart city can also reduce pollution levels and promote a healthier lifestyle.
Heightened safety and security
The protection and security of its citizens is vital for any city. In a smart city, the networks of CCTV cameras, adequate street lighting, intensive surveillance and patrolling, and a fast response system for emergency calls ensure utmost safety for its residents. Most of the smart city projects have advanced safety and security infrastructure as one of the top priorities while devising the urban initiative.
So, it can be safely concluded that these state-of-the art cities can make life of its citizens more organized and less stressful by effectively using various technologies. Hence, smart city innovation can be called a step in the right direction.
