Paper tries to look at the planning, growth and development of cities and the manner in which they can be made sustainable in the context of 17 SDG. It tries to define agenda for their planning and governance while considering the new urbanism.
Planning Smart cities- Concepts and Practices.docxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Planning remains universal for making cities growth rational and logical. In the absence of planned development, cities cannot be made to grow in an orderly manner. Planners have been making cities different and distinct using different agenda for planning and development of cities. Currently planners are making cities safe, resilient, sustainable and livable. Many nations are vouching to make cities smart. Smart city is not a new concept .It has been followed globally to improve the quality of living and promote operational efficiency and productivity of the cities. It is an attempt to make cities more livable, sustainable and for creating a brand image to attract investment and make them a tourist destination. Globally , smart cities are characterized by high degree of environmental consciousness; using information technology to promote energy/ resources efficiency; creation of knowledge infrastructure; promoting sustainable economic development and high quality of life; ensuring wise management of natural resources through participatory action. According to Forbe, the structure of smart cities will have to be built on eight pillars involving: ‘smart governance, smart energy, smart buildings, smart mobility, smart infrastructure, smart technology, smart healthcare and smart citizens. Based on detailed studies and in depth analysis made of the most successful case studies globally, as how to transform cities into great places to live and make a city great, Mckinsey’s suggests three pronged strategies involving, achieving smart growth, do more with less and win support for change. Considering the entire gamut of urban settlements , a city can be made Smart only if it is planned smart, developed smart, operated smart, financed smart and governed smartly .
Strategies for Promoting Urban SustainabilityJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper is an attempt to define agenda for planning sustainable cities using different options of planning, transportation, green buildings, ruralisation etc
Building Carbon neutral Cities Through Green RoofJIT KUMAR GUPTA
building are known to be largest consumers of enrgy, resources, water and generators of waste. They consume largest energy and responsible for climate change and global warming. Within buildings roof area remains the arae which is most unused, abused and misused space, which can be effectively leveraged to minimise the adverse impact of buildings on resources, energy, climate change etc. It can cool the buildings, bring down the energy use, make cities free from disasters and do large number of positivity to buildinga, climate, environment . Green roofs remains an area, potential of which remains largely unexplored. It needs to studied, analysed with policy options evolved to make it a distict reality in the buildings
Strategy for Promoting Sustainable Cities in IndiaJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper is an attempt to look at the options to make cities more livable, sustainable, productive, effective, efficient and inclusive in the face of rapid, massive,unplanned and haphazard urbanisation.
Decarbonising Human Settlements through Regional Planning, Peri-urban Devel...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Text tries to draw the attention of the professionals engaged in planning and designing of cities to the role of peri-urban areas in promoting the future planned growth of urban areas. Text also defines that cities need to be seen , planned , designed, developed and visuliased in the larger context not cofined to arbitrary physical boundaries defined by polotical and economic factors. Cities need to be seen in the larger context of the region and accordingly planned and devloped in the larger context of peri-urban araes/regional context, to stay safe, rational and sustainable. Neglecting rural areas at the cost of promoting urban development can be both irrational, illogical and fraught with danger of having lopsided developmnet of the urban areas. in the developing countries. Making cities carbon neutral will be possible only if the urban / rural areas and peri -urban areas are integrated within a unified planning, devlopment and management framework.
Paper is an attempt to define the role and importance of smart cities in the context of state of art planning and design to promote happiness among the residents and stakeholders of the city .
Preparing and Empowering Cities in the face of Pandemics- Covid 19.JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper makes an attempt to understand the context and impact of Covid 19 on the urban settlements, people and communities in terms of operation, economy, mobility, healthcare etc. and tries to define the issue which needs to be addressed and options which need to be exercised in order to enable and empower cities to counter to the negative effect of all natural and manmade disasters to make them better places to live and work.
Presentatio tries to bring out context of the cities in the overall development of communities and nations, and the manner cities are being subjected to devlopmental and population pressure. As engines of economic growth cities are known to have environmental, ecological and infrastructure implications besides becoming the major propeller of global warming and climate change. Looking at the role and importance of cities in alleviating poverty, pollution and numerous other growing dualitues and contradictions, presentation focusses on how to make growth and development of cities more rational, sustaianble, inclusive, safe abd resilient.
Planning Smart cities- Concepts and Practices.docxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Planning remains universal for making cities growth rational and logical. In the absence of planned development, cities cannot be made to grow in an orderly manner. Planners have been making cities different and distinct using different agenda for planning and development of cities. Currently planners are making cities safe, resilient, sustainable and livable. Many nations are vouching to make cities smart. Smart city is not a new concept .It has been followed globally to improve the quality of living and promote operational efficiency and productivity of the cities. It is an attempt to make cities more livable, sustainable and for creating a brand image to attract investment and make them a tourist destination. Globally , smart cities are characterized by high degree of environmental consciousness; using information technology to promote energy/ resources efficiency; creation of knowledge infrastructure; promoting sustainable economic development and high quality of life; ensuring wise management of natural resources through participatory action. According to Forbe, the structure of smart cities will have to be built on eight pillars involving: ‘smart governance, smart energy, smart buildings, smart mobility, smart infrastructure, smart technology, smart healthcare and smart citizens. Based on detailed studies and in depth analysis made of the most successful case studies globally, as how to transform cities into great places to live and make a city great, Mckinsey’s suggests three pronged strategies involving, achieving smart growth, do more with less and win support for change. Considering the entire gamut of urban settlements , a city can be made Smart only if it is planned smart, developed smart, operated smart, financed smart and governed smartly .
Strategies for Promoting Urban SustainabilityJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper is an attempt to define agenda for planning sustainable cities using different options of planning, transportation, green buildings, ruralisation etc
Building Carbon neutral Cities Through Green RoofJIT KUMAR GUPTA
building are known to be largest consumers of enrgy, resources, water and generators of waste. They consume largest energy and responsible for climate change and global warming. Within buildings roof area remains the arae which is most unused, abused and misused space, which can be effectively leveraged to minimise the adverse impact of buildings on resources, energy, climate change etc. It can cool the buildings, bring down the energy use, make cities free from disasters and do large number of positivity to buildinga, climate, environment . Green roofs remains an area, potential of which remains largely unexplored. It needs to studied, analysed with policy options evolved to make it a distict reality in the buildings
Strategy for Promoting Sustainable Cities in IndiaJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper is an attempt to look at the options to make cities more livable, sustainable, productive, effective, efficient and inclusive in the face of rapid, massive,unplanned and haphazard urbanisation.
Decarbonising Human Settlements through Regional Planning, Peri-urban Devel...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Text tries to draw the attention of the professionals engaged in planning and designing of cities to the role of peri-urban areas in promoting the future planned growth of urban areas. Text also defines that cities need to be seen , planned , designed, developed and visuliased in the larger context not cofined to arbitrary physical boundaries defined by polotical and economic factors. Cities need to be seen in the larger context of the region and accordingly planned and devloped in the larger context of peri-urban araes/regional context, to stay safe, rational and sustainable. Neglecting rural areas at the cost of promoting urban development can be both irrational, illogical and fraught with danger of having lopsided developmnet of the urban areas. in the developing countries. Making cities carbon neutral will be possible only if the urban / rural areas and peri -urban areas are integrated within a unified planning, devlopment and management framework.
Paper is an attempt to define the role and importance of smart cities in the context of state of art planning and design to promote happiness among the residents and stakeholders of the city .
Preparing and Empowering Cities in the face of Pandemics- Covid 19.JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper makes an attempt to understand the context and impact of Covid 19 on the urban settlements, people and communities in terms of operation, economy, mobility, healthcare etc. and tries to define the issue which needs to be addressed and options which need to be exercised in order to enable and empower cities to counter to the negative effect of all natural and manmade disasters to make them better places to live and work.
Presentatio tries to bring out context of the cities in the overall development of communities and nations, and the manner cities are being subjected to devlopmental and population pressure. As engines of economic growth cities are known to have environmental, ecological and infrastructure implications besides becoming the major propeller of global warming and climate change. Looking at the role and importance of cities in alleviating poverty, pollution and numerous other growing dualitues and contradictions, presentation focusses on how to make growth and development of cities more rational, sustaianble, inclusive, safe abd resilient.
Paper looks at the current status of cities and urbanization, issues faced by urban sector and suggest strategies to make cities more smart and sustainable.
Compact city as an Option for Making Indian Cities Smart and SustainableJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper, written jointly with Ar Anoop Sharma from SMVDU Jammu, tries to look holistically at the prevailing pattern of India urbanization and planning and designing of Indian cities. Paper tries to underline the problems faced by cities in terms of environment, pollution, land , slums, traffic& transportation, housing,services etc and tries to suggest solutions looking at the advantages offed by the compact cities in terms of optimizing land, minimising travel/pollution, making cities development cost-effective, efficient and promoting walking instead of using fossil fuel propelled mechanical transportation. to make cities more livable and sustainable, resilient, safe and inclusive
Strategy and Options for Planning Inclusive CitiesJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation looks at the context of inclusive cities, its relevance in the Indian context, problems faced by Indian cities and what are the options to make cities inclusive, and sustainable
Options for making affordable housing for all a reality in urban India (1)JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation tries to briefly dwelling on affordable housing in the context of India- Explaining the role and importance of housing in urban spaces , issues, challenges and roadblock faced and options available for making housing for all a distinct reality
Re-inventing and Re-defining Urban Planning for Promoting Sustainable Mega Ci...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper make an attempt to understand the planning related issues and options for the mega cities with focus on capital City of Lahorein Pakistan, its growth and development post 1947 and the options which can be leveataged to make the city sustainable and livable. Paper looks at the good practices used in the planning of capital city of Chandigarh and also at the option of decentralising these cities. Look at the size, economic role and its criticality in the development of the state/region, --suggestion has been made to plan and devlop these mega cities in the regional/ national context.so as to enable them to play their designated role. However, these cities need to be made resilient to make them withstand any manmade/natural disasters. These cities despite their criticality and importance remain diffficult to manage and govern.
Need for Convergence in Planning and Implementation Across all MISSIONSJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation is a brief attempt to showcase the need and importance of convergence of planning and implementation of all the urban missions in order to achieve holistic development of the urban centres in India and to launch Urban India on fast trajectory of Urban revitalisation. It needs to be expanded further to make it more extensive and meaningful
Issues and options for raising Resources for Financing infrastructure in Ur...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Considering role and importance of infrastructure, Paper makes an attempt to bring out the options to raise resources to make available urban infrastructure to all in urban India
Options for Sourcing Land for Sustainable Urban Development in the State of P...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper looks at the existing scenario of urban planning in the state of Punjab, growth of urban population, quantum of land required, prevailing schemes for sourcing land, emerging roadblocks in sourcing land and options for sourcing land at an affordable cost including making landowners as co-parceners in sourcing land
Affordable housing for all in india- Issues and OptionsJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Occupying largest space and having largest count in human settlements, housing, despite being critical for human living, quality of life and occupying higher rating in all government policies and programs, has remained elusive for majority of the people belonging to lower end of economic/social pyramid. Housing has emerged as the most complex human problem, ever evolving, ever devolving, never static, never finite and never nearing solution. Increasing human numbers, rapid mass migration/ movement of the people due to shifting of residence in search of better economic opportunities within/across nations have emerged as the major cause of the problem. getting more vexed. Having different connotations and meaning for different communities across the globe , Housing has defied all solutions to make housing for all a distinct reality. As major consumer of energy, resources, land, materials, money, labour and time , housing has assumed complex dimensions in different nations/states /communities. Housing also is known to have impact on environment, ecology and global sustainability. Housing does not remain confined to four walls ; it needs a large network of amenities and services to support it. It has high degree of linkages with the human habitat. Paper looks at the housing in the Indian context, tries to identify different issues and roadblocks which are hindering the growth and development of affordable housing and makes an attempt to define agenda for increasing housing numbers in the affordable housing for the EWS/LIG segment of population.
Housing remains critical for providing safety, security, identity, space for social interaction for families to live, learn and grow together. Housing is also considered major determinant of quality of life.besides major propeller of industrial and economic development. Large number of crimes happening in society can also be attributed to the manner in which majority of people are made to live adverse conditions in urban areas. Considering the multiple implications of housing,- providing affordable housing for all has been mandated by united nations as the basic agenda of growth and development for all member nations. However, housing despite occupying critical role in human living and national development , remains in crisis, crisis of both quality and quantity. Dynamic nature of housing demand makes provision of housing for all the most challenging task because housing need and demand never remains static. It is always evolving, devolving, never finite and never finished. Considering multiple implications of housing in terms of land, resources, finances, technologies, manpower, providing housing remains the most challenging job for individuals, communities and nations. Paper tries to bring out these peculiarities while explaining the context of affordable housing..
Strategies for Promoting Urban SustainabilityJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation looks at the options of making urban areas more liveable, productive and sustainable. It includes the reduction of energy consumption through green buildings and green transport
Comact City as an Option for Making Urban India more Sustainable and LivableJitKumarGupta1
Cities and towns remain critical in chartering and scripting the development trajectory of any community/nation. Structural transformation of the economy, sustaining high rates of economic growth and realization of economic potential is largely contingent on the efficacy and efficiency of urban settlements and rationalization of the process of urbanization. Well-managed, urbanization is known to fosters social and economic advancement and improved quality of life. However, cities are globally facing greater threat and challenges in terms of growing number of urban residents living in informal settlements , inadequate urban services, climate change; global warming; exclusion and rising inequality and poverty; rising insecurity; growing migration, rising global carbon emission. The current models and framework/approach to urbanization and urban planning remains highly unsustainable. Majority of Indian cities lack planning, capacity and preparedness to manage and counter effectively the challenges associated with rapid and massive urbanization. Accordingly, new agenda will be essential and critical to defined /effectively address the emerging challenges and take advantage of the opportunities offered by urbanization. The new urban agenda should promote human settlements that are planned, designed and managed to be environmentally sustainable; socially inclusive and economically productive. Compact city, as a role model of urban planning and development, offer enormous opportunities and options, to make cities more effective and efficient intense dense, efficient. Compact city is also known for its distinct quality of offering enormous opportunities to make cities more sustainable, socially interactive, walkable , cost-effective, land -efficient, productive, socially and environmentally, easy to develop/maintain. Accordingly, appropriate urban planning, development and management framework needs to be put in place and made operational on priority to make compact city model a distinct reality.
Strategies for Planning Smart Cities in IndiaJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper critically lookS at prevailing planning, development and management practices; re-define new order of urban planning, ; leveraging technology; rationalising travel; promoting governance and re-defining design strategies for built environment to make cities more humane, just, efficient, sustainable and happy place to live and work.
Paper looks at the current status of cities and urbanization, issues faced by urban sector and suggest strategies to make cities more smart and sustainable.
Compact city as an Option for Making Indian Cities Smart and SustainableJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper, written jointly with Ar Anoop Sharma from SMVDU Jammu, tries to look holistically at the prevailing pattern of India urbanization and planning and designing of Indian cities. Paper tries to underline the problems faced by cities in terms of environment, pollution, land , slums, traffic& transportation, housing,services etc and tries to suggest solutions looking at the advantages offed by the compact cities in terms of optimizing land, minimising travel/pollution, making cities development cost-effective, efficient and promoting walking instead of using fossil fuel propelled mechanical transportation. to make cities more livable and sustainable, resilient, safe and inclusive
Strategy and Options for Planning Inclusive CitiesJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation looks at the context of inclusive cities, its relevance in the Indian context, problems faced by Indian cities and what are the options to make cities inclusive, and sustainable
Options for making affordable housing for all a reality in urban India (1)JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation tries to briefly dwelling on affordable housing in the context of India- Explaining the role and importance of housing in urban spaces , issues, challenges and roadblock faced and options available for making housing for all a distinct reality
Re-inventing and Re-defining Urban Planning for Promoting Sustainable Mega Ci...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper make an attempt to understand the planning related issues and options for the mega cities with focus on capital City of Lahorein Pakistan, its growth and development post 1947 and the options which can be leveataged to make the city sustainable and livable. Paper looks at the good practices used in the planning of capital city of Chandigarh and also at the option of decentralising these cities. Look at the size, economic role and its criticality in the development of the state/region, --suggestion has been made to plan and devlop these mega cities in the regional/ national context.so as to enable them to play their designated role. However, these cities need to be made resilient to make them withstand any manmade/natural disasters. These cities despite their criticality and importance remain diffficult to manage and govern.
Need for Convergence in Planning and Implementation Across all MISSIONSJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation is a brief attempt to showcase the need and importance of convergence of planning and implementation of all the urban missions in order to achieve holistic development of the urban centres in India and to launch Urban India on fast trajectory of Urban revitalisation. It needs to be expanded further to make it more extensive and meaningful
Issues and options for raising Resources for Financing infrastructure in Ur...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Considering role and importance of infrastructure, Paper makes an attempt to bring out the options to raise resources to make available urban infrastructure to all in urban India
Options for Sourcing Land for Sustainable Urban Development in the State of P...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper looks at the existing scenario of urban planning in the state of Punjab, growth of urban population, quantum of land required, prevailing schemes for sourcing land, emerging roadblocks in sourcing land and options for sourcing land at an affordable cost including making landowners as co-parceners in sourcing land
Affordable housing for all in india- Issues and OptionsJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Occupying largest space and having largest count in human settlements, housing, despite being critical for human living, quality of life and occupying higher rating in all government policies and programs, has remained elusive for majority of the people belonging to lower end of economic/social pyramid. Housing has emerged as the most complex human problem, ever evolving, ever devolving, never static, never finite and never nearing solution. Increasing human numbers, rapid mass migration/ movement of the people due to shifting of residence in search of better economic opportunities within/across nations have emerged as the major cause of the problem. getting more vexed. Having different connotations and meaning for different communities across the globe , Housing has defied all solutions to make housing for all a distinct reality. As major consumer of energy, resources, land, materials, money, labour and time , housing has assumed complex dimensions in different nations/states /communities. Housing also is known to have impact on environment, ecology and global sustainability. Housing does not remain confined to four walls ; it needs a large network of amenities and services to support it. It has high degree of linkages with the human habitat. Paper looks at the housing in the Indian context, tries to identify different issues and roadblocks which are hindering the growth and development of affordable housing and makes an attempt to define agenda for increasing housing numbers in the affordable housing for the EWS/LIG segment of population.
Housing remains critical for providing safety, security, identity, space for social interaction for families to live, learn and grow together. Housing is also considered major determinant of quality of life.besides major propeller of industrial and economic development. Large number of crimes happening in society can also be attributed to the manner in which majority of people are made to live adverse conditions in urban areas. Considering the multiple implications of housing,- providing affordable housing for all has been mandated by united nations as the basic agenda of growth and development for all member nations. However, housing despite occupying critical role in human living and national development , remains in crisis, crisis of both quality and quantity. Dynamic nature of housing demand makes provision of housing for all the most challenging task because housing need and demand never remains static. It is always evolving, devolving, never finite and never finished. Considering multiple implications of housing in terms of land, resources, finances, technologies, manpower, providing housing remains the most challenging job for individuals, communities and nations. Paper tries to bring out these peculiarities while explaining the context of affordable housing..
Strategies for Promoting Urban SustainabilityJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation looks at the options of making urban areas more liveable, productive and sustainable. It includes the reduction of energy consumption through green buildings and green transport
Comact City as an Option for Making Urban India more Sustainable and LivableJitKumarGupta1
Cities and towns remain critical in chartering and scripting the development trajectory of any community/nation. Structural transformation of the economy, sustaining high rates of economic growth and realization of economic potential is largely contingent on the efficacy and efficiency of urban settlements and rationalization of the process of urbanization. Well-managed, urbanization is known to fosters social and economic advancement and improved quality of life. However, cities are globally facing greater threat and challenges in terms of growing number of urban residents living in informal settlements , inadequate urban services, climate change; global warming; exclusion and rising inequality and poverty; rising insecurity; growing migration, rising global carbon emission. The current models and framework/approach to urbanization and urban planning remains highly unsustainable. Majority of Indian cities lack planning, capacity and preparedness to manage and counter effectively the challenges associated with rapid and massive urbanization. Accordingly, new agenda will be essential and critical to defined /effectively address the emerging challenges and take advantage of the opportunities offered by urbanization. The new urban agenda should promote human settlements that are planned, designed and managed to be environmentally sustainable; socially inclusive and economically productive. Compact city, as a role model of urban planning and development, offer enormous opportunities and options, to make cities more effective and efficient intense dense, efficient. Compact city is also known for its distinct quality of offering enormous opportunities to make cities more sustainable, socially interactive, walkable , cost-effective, land -efficient, productive, socially and environmentally, easy to develop/maintain. Accordingly, appropriate urban planning, development and management framework needs to be put in place and made operational on priority to make compact city model a distinct reality.
Strategies for Planning Smart Cities in IndiaJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper critically lookS at prevailing planning, development and management practices; re-define new order of urban planning, ; leveraging technology; rationalising travel; promoting governance and re-defining design strategies for built environment to make cities more humane, just, efficient, sustainable and happy place to live and work.
Paper is an attempt to look at the Indian urban settlements in terms of their planning, designing, travel, buildings etc, identify problems they have and options which can be leveraged to make them more effective, efficient, livable, productive and sustainable
Indian Options for Managing Global Warming Through Ruralisation and Rationali...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper looks at the option of adopting dual strategy , revolving round not only rationalising the development of cities but also promoting ruralisation through effective planning. New option will look at making villages more self-contained, self-sufficient, providing basic amenities and services besides generating employment for the rural inhabitants, creation of synergy between rural and urban settlements, rationalising planning, promoting accessibility, minimising mobility, planning for people not for vehicle and creating green built environment..
Designing for smart and Inclusive Cities in indiaJitKumarGupta1
Making cities Smart remains an illusion/ mirage and a fallacy in this world, which is illogically and irrationally being chased and promoted by politician, administrators and people in the power. How can cities be made Smart, both conceptually and physically, when cities are marked by dualities and contradictions, when it cannot take care of its stakeholders; Create ownership among them; provide them basic infrastructures, amenities and services; assure them appropriate employment and economic options; provide them with reasonable shelter; ensure healthy living. Cities cannot be made Smart till poverty continue to rule the cities; where planning remains marginalized/diluted; where multiplicity of agencies continue to operate and rule in contradiction to each other; where decision made remain mired with subjectivity; where there is total lack of ownership; where leadership has no understanding of the city growth and development and where manpower deployed remain inadequately qualified to understand and address the issues of urbanization. Cities would require more focus and will need care and caution, provided with the input of professionals who can lead the cities to make them more livable. I think need is to move from and focus on promoting livability rather than smartness. How can we achieve the objective of livability, should remain the agenda for all professionals and stake holders involved with making cities Smart.
Strategies for Planning Smart and Sustainable CitiesJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Smart city remains a misnomer. No city on planet earth can claim to be smart. Experts are still searching the soul of smart city in order to precisely define it .Unfortunately smart city has become a money spending/spinning exercise for few individuals/agencies. Entire concept of smart city has been made technology centric, minimizing the role and importance of human beings. In addition, role of Town Planners in smart city has been totally marginalized. How can a city be made smart without intervention of planning and planners. Smart city as a concept has been copied globally to promote operational efficiency and productivity of the cities , with minimum concern for human growth and development. Addressing issue of poverty and making city livable for all should be the agenda of urban growth and development. In the face of homeless people , absence of basic amenities and facilities essential of human living, making city’s smart will be a fallacy and prove to be counterproductive. Cities do not exist in isolation and require the support of rural hinterland. Dealing cities alone by excluding villages will invariably lead to lopsided growth of cities because genesis of majority of urban ills has roots in the neglect of the rural areas. Urban areas must do handholding for the rural areas for synergizing mutual strength and to usher a new era of rational growth. Smart city concept must focus on empowering human being/ living, making them more skilled, create options for meeting the basic human needs and removing the curse of poverty and unemployment.
Occupying merely 3% of global land resource and housing more than half of global population, cities are known to generate global prosperity besides consuming 70% of energy and 75% of global carbon footprints. Cities are also known to be major consumers of both manmade and natural resources besides generating large waste. Majority of global problems of climate change, global warming, rising temperature , flooding, disasters etc. can be attributed to the way cities are being treated , valued, planned and managed. If cities are the centres of all problems on this planet earth, surely they also have the solutions to overcome these problems. In order to make this world more sustainable, it will be critical to understand, appreciate, study and analyse the sources of the existing urban problems and then find options to overcome those problems. Considering the problem of energy, cities need to produce their own energy from the natural sources, rather than consuming black energy generated by thermal plants. In addition, cities need to be evaluated in terms of the activities which consume large energy. Focus should be to make those activities resource efficient. Travel, traffic and built environment are the major consumers of energy, they need to be reinvented and redefined to make them least consumers of energy. Cities need to look for green options of travel and creating built environment. Cities need to evolve their agenda for minimizing climate change. Reducing urban waste calls for adopting circular economy approach. Technology would need to be leveraged to make cities more resource/energy efficient. Large options are available on this planet earth which needs to be leveraged in a rational and realistic manner to make cities zero-carbon, in order to overcome the global problems revolving around sustainability, livability, quality of life, poverty and non-availability of basic human needs.
Housing remains one of the most valuable right and asset of the mankind besides the major issue for all developing nations. It is both a challenge and opportunity. Paper tries to define strategies which can help achieve the objective of shelter for all
MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND MULTILAYER DIMENSIONS OF EVOLVING CITIES FOR A SUSTAINAB...Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka
Cities are growing at a rapid phase, due to exponential growth of populations all over the world. The world population might stabilize by 2070 after reaching the peak population levels of about 9 billion. Already the urban population, living mostly in cities has reached 50% of the world population. Cities in the last few centuries have evolved coping with changes in social, economic, cultural, aesthetics, utility, historical, political, natural and environmental factors. There is always an interface between the interests of old and new generations of people sharing the same space. The buildings have more life than the people living in them. Each building is at least able to provide space for at least two generations. The comfort levels of one generation and the next are different in same space. There are often changes brought with time in any building. Similarly the infrastructure is also changing at a rapid phase as the transportation means and systems are changing. The access to power, drinking water, and open spaces for cultural and social events, educational institutions, markets, etc. also impacts the living space. The security and basic amenities are the main factors of consideration for not moving away from the congested cities. There is always an overlap of old and new adaptation factors, creating resilience for coexistence. The remembrance of a space and events in once own life time impact the people, and they love to continue in similar space. There is a kind of energy that one gets, while returning to the same space, it is often seen that the old people prefer living in the space they are used to and they often live longer too. There are emotions too acting up on the life of the people. Considering all the above factors, each city can be considered a single organism, having its own identity and also there are various diverse spaces within it. It is like a human body single living things, but various parts of the human body function for the happiness of the whole. There is a need to understand multifunctional and multilayer dimensions of the cities, for making a sustainable living in the cities.
Paper is an attempt to showcase the role and importance of Green Transport in making cities sustainable. It tries to bring out issues facing the urban areas in transportation besides suggesting strategies to overcome them
Affordable housing in India- A Myth or RelityJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Paper makes an attempt to look at the housing as a major issue in the urban area, identify the major roadblock and options to make housing for all a distinct reality
Urban planning and urban governance invariably remain people centric having prime concern/focus on looking at/ promoting the welfare of the people, improving their social, physical, economic and environmental conditions besides improving quality of life. Both are mandated to create supportive/enabling conditions and environment to help people to perform their basic functions involving living, working , care of body & spirits and circulation, in a most effective / efficient manner. Accordingly urban planning and urban governance remain interlinked /integrated, and have close relationship. No good urban governance can exist in isolation/ without the input of good and rational planning. Looking at the entire context of good urban governance, it can be fairly concluded that effective urban planning holds the key to good urban governance. Poor urban governance has its genesis in poor urban planning. For enabling urban planning to play its desired and designated role in urban governance, it will be essential that operational mechanism of existing pattern of urban planning is critically looked into, reviewed, revised and re-defined to made it more responsive to the emerging urban dynamism/challenges. Unfortunately, in India, role of urban planners has been diluted and marginalized and has never been given appropriate recognition. Limited numbers of planning institutions have contributed to restricting the number of qualified professionals. With urban centres holding the key, future growth and development of the cities will be contingent largely upon the proficiency, efficacy and efficiency of ‘Planning Profession and Professionals’. However, , for planners/planning to play its ordained role, they have to be made more responsive , professionally competent, having capacity /expertise to understand /appreciate the complexities of urban growth and development, based on prevailing ground realities, and evolving appropriate options. .Planning tools will also require review and redefining to make them more effective and efficient.
By nature, humans are social creatures and thrive in urban spaces that foster social connections. Cities are essential to sustainable development since they are the center of economic development. They interact extensively with surrounding and with the rest of the world. The sustainable city concept focuses on improving the conditions of the urban areas in order to create healthy, pleasant, livable, inclusive, safe, and resilient cities where residents want to live and work. This chapter provides an introduction on sustainable cities. Matthew N. O. Sadiku | Uwakwe C. Chukwu | Abayomi Ajayi-Majebi | Sarhan M. Musa "Sustainable Cities" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-6 , October 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd46454.pdf Paper URL : https://www.ijtsrd.com/engineering/electrical-engineering/46454/sustainable-cities/matthew-n-o-sadiku
Future of cities An initial perspective by Harry Rich Chief Executive RIBAFuture Agenda
An initial perspective on the future of cities by Harry Rich Chief Executive RIBA. This is the starting point for the global future agenda discussions taking place through 2015 as part of the futureagenda2.0 programme. www.futureagenda.org
Role and Relevance of Architects and architecture in SustainabilityJIT KUMAR GUPTA
This brief text on Role, Relevance and importance of Architects and profession of Architecture in making this world and human settlements more livable, climate responsive and sustainable has been prepared as commitment of the professionals and profession of Architects on this World Environment Day ; June 5th , 2024 , with the hope that profession would be understood, valued ,appreciated and empowered in the right context for enabling it play its designated role in making built environment qualitative, cost-effective, energy-efficient, eco-friendly, safe and sustainable.
Bridging gap between resources and responsibilities at Local level.JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Text refers to need, role, relevance and importance of empowering urban local bodies by bridging gap between resources available and responsibilities bestowed, for enabling ULBs to operate and function as institutions of local governance more effectively and efficiently.
Construction Industry Through Artificial Intelligence -.docxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Considering the role, relevance and importance of construction sector in promoting economy, generating employment and creating wealth besides providing infrastructures and amenities, there is need to make the sector more effective, efficient, productive and sustainable. Driven manually, construction sector remains in the slow lane of creating quality built environment which are cost-effective, energy efficient, least consumers of resources and generators of waste. Artificial intelligence can help and empower the construction to make it more valuable, productive and qualitative besides supportive of environment and ecology. However, construction sector must be ready to co-operate and collaborate with IT industry to look for options and opportunities to make construction sector more qualitative and productive. Majority of urban ills and climate related issues can be resolved if Artificial intelligence can be embedded as integral part of the construction industry right prom planning, designing, construction, operation and management of the built environment and infrastructures. Communities and nations will save lot of valuable non-renewable resources if the construction sector is transformed from human led to technology led by the induction of Artificial intelligence. However, Construction industry has to search the areas where Artificial intelligence can be used effectively and intelligently.
Making Urban India a Role Model of Planned Urban Growth a.docxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Known for productivity, promoting economy, employment and innovations cities, when properly planned, rationally developed and professionally managed, have been labelled and recognized as engines of economic growth. Prosperity and urbanisation are known to have positive co-relation with rational urbanisation, leveraging growth and development of any community, city, state and region. In majority of developing countries, where urbanisation remains unregulated, forced largely by rural push and less by urban pull, cities invariably remain in crisis, crisis of population, crisis of poverty, crisis of development and management. Cities need to be cared ,incentivized, empowered and made more productive, effective, efficient and humane.
Redefining Globalization, urbanisation and LocalisationJIT KUMAR GUPTA
If cities are to made more livable, humane and productive, it is time that intent, contents and scope of globalization must be revisited and reviewed, both critically and objectively. Globalisation would need redefinition for promoting universality and inclusiveness among people and nations to have basic amenities and quality of life for all its residents , including poorest of the poor to lead a dignified life. Failure to redefine globalization, rationalise urbanisation, restore localization empowering poor and promoting universalisation and inclusivity; will invariably lead to making SDGs merely a paper exercise. In addition, making the world, cities and communities sustainable, livable, safe and inclusive, would remain merely a dream and a mirage, for future generations and communities, making planet earth as their preferred place of residence.
Knowing, Understanding and Planning Cities- Role and Relevance Physical Plan...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Cities are known for its complexities and operational inefficiencies. cities remain dynamic ,ever evolving, ever devolving, never static and never finite.
All cities remain different, distinct, unique and universal. No two cities are similar. Each city has its own strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Accordingly, problem faced by any city cannot be viewed, dissected, analyzed and enumerated, while sitting within the four walls of the air-conditioned rooms and by the so called intellectual sitting in the so called offices determining the future of cities and towns. Neither the cities can be made more rational by limited knowledge agencies providing consultancy to cities , states and nations.
For realistically and rationally understanding, analyzing the cities and having simple, cost-effective and quality solutions to the problems and challenges faced , Cities have to be walked through and concerns of the various communities have to be properly understood and appreciated.
Prime reason for inability and lack of capacity on the part of majority of physical planners, engaged in the art and science of planning, designing and developing the cities, to address the issues and challenges faced by cities , realistically and rationally, has genesis in the lack of understanding of the origin, growth and development of cities.
Lack of capacity in majority of town planners, has roots in the quality of education imparted and seriousness and commitment on the part of both teachers and taught involved. As it stands today, majority of institutions involved in imparting education in planning are being run on an ad-hoc manner and by proxy. Only few institutions have regular teachers and regular students. Majority of planning institutions are being run on proxy with proxy students and proxy teachers. Education system including curricula used for teaching, needs, review, revision and redefinition to make it more relevant to rational for addressing the issues and challenges faced by the cities and towns.
Land as a Resource for urban finanace- 24-1-23.pptJIT KUMAR GUPTA
PPt tries to brief Land, as a gift of nature, is being grossly misused, abused , manipulated Land is globally used for providing platform for all human driven activities, based on living, working, culture of body/ mind and travel.
Limited availability, coupled with large number of human beings trying to source land, has invariably created large demand for land resource for human consumption. Land, in urban context, is required for meeting the specific needs of urban dwellers for residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, travel& traffic purposes besides providing space for infrastructures , amenities, services, trade and commerce etc. Land in urban context remains under large demand and command high price due to concentration of large population in small physical area, with stakeholders making competing claims.Rapid and uncontrolled growth in population experienced by urban areas has adversely impacted and generated considerable pressure on land resource in cities and towns , leading to large scale conversion, sub-division and illegal occupation of urban land. Unregulated and regulated pressure on land has largely been met by means of both formal/informal sub-division and development of land. Growth of the urban settlements and entire mechanism of urban planning and development remains land based/ land focused. In order to make optimum use of land resource on 24x7x365; making city planning, growth, development and management ,both rational. realistic, orderly and promoter of quality living, it will be critical and essential, that all ULBs are made to focus on eliminating culture and practices promoting un-authorized/ illegal sub-division of land for ushering an environment and era of planned urban development in the cities. Land needs to be effectively leveraged to generate resources for ULBs to make cities vibrant.
COST-EFFETIVE and Energy Efficient BUILDINGS ptxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Built environment is known for its capacity, capability, role, relevance and importance to change the quality of life of the occupants and communities. Presentation focuses on options which need to be leveraged to make buildings sustainable, cost-effective, energy efficient, resource efficient, qualitative over its entire life-cycle through designing, construction, operation. It calls for making buildings green and sustainable.
Making Buildings cost-effective , Energy Efficient ptxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation focuses on options which need to be leveraged to make buildings sustainable, cost-effective, energy efficient, resource efficient, qualitative over its entire life-cycle
Ppt briefs about role, relevance, importance of the rating systems applicable in India, criteria used in assessing
greeness, weightage allocated, , brief of how these rating systems are applied, parameters involved; weightage granted, levels of rating granted , incentives given by states for green rated buildings and brief of suggestions, how to make rating system more effective, efficient, objective and transparent.
The phenomenon of global warming remains more pronounced in the urban areas, for the reason cities house large concentration of people and activities in a small/compact urban space.Densely-built downtown areas tend to be warmer than suburban residential areas or rural areas.. UHI not only raises urban temperatures but also increases ozone concentrations because ozone is a greenhouse gas whose formation will accelerate with the temperature. Tokyo, an example of an urban heat island. Normal temperatures of Tokyo go up higher than those of the surrounding area. However, it needs to be understood and appreciated that climate change is not the cause of urban heat islands but it is causing more frequent and more intense heat waves which in turn amplify the urban heat island effect in cities. Major reasons for ever growing global warming and climate change can be attributed to the; Nature and natural; Human-Driven; population; Rapid Urbanisation; Irrational Urban planning; High Density; Inefficient Transportation ;Large generation/consumption of fossil fuel based Energy; Unsustainable Buildings; Polluting Industry & Manufacturing; Unsustainable Agriculture; Irrational Development; Large scale Deforestation; Lack of open spaces and individual life-choices;
Making and Unmaking of Chandigarh - A City of Two Plans2-4-24.pptJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Presentation is a narrative of a
capital city- known for its innovative planning, designing, construction and management of a new capital . It briefs about the principles used in the planning and designing of city -by the first team of planners led by Albert Mayer and Mathew Nowicki-- followed by the second team led by Le- Corbusier, P Jenerette, Jane B Drew , Maxwell Fry. It also details about the various aspects of the city planning, planning of the sector as a neighbourhood, typologies of
various developmental controls used for regulating the construction of buildings. Innovations used for regulating the growth and development of periphery; redensification of city in case city exceeds its planned population of half a million, creating a narrative of city and periphery, innovative landscaping, defining an edict for the city to educate the future citizens of the capital city to safeguard the future growth and development besides lessons learnt from planning and designing the new cities.
Planning and Designing Green buildings-.issues, options and strategiesJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Affordability and sustainable development are considered anti-thesis across the world. Generally there exists conflict between the approach to sustainable built environment and affordable buildings. Sustainable development is considered more expensive. According to Middleton, ‘Sustainability and affordability aren’t mutually exclusive goals. It’s not about adding extra, but thinking more carefully about the design of buildings and incorporating technologies that can offset the rising costs of energy, water and other services. Affordability and sustainability are known to fit together perfectly’.
Through excellent design, buildings can be made more sustainable and affordable. Smaller the footprint of buildings, lower will be the upfront costs and embodied energy and lower shall be the running costs of buildings. Looking at the entire context of health, rising cost of amenities/services; Sustainable/Green designs are now being increasingly adopted, to make built environment more cost-effective and affordable. Considering the enormous amount of built environment to be created, India will have no option but to tread the path of sustainability and sustainable development in the built environment. Sustainable built environment would also help in and go a long way in achieving the majority of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the reason, built environment is known to be the largest consumer of energy, avoid wasteful use of resources and minimise generation of waste. Global sustainability will be largely contingent upon how effectively and efficiently we can make our buildings sustainable and qualitative through innovative/green design solutions based on local climate and culture, valuing site planning, embedding orientation, cross ventilation, using renewable/waste materials and involving state of the art building technologies.
_Neighborhood Planning in Capital City of Chandigarh- An Appraisal (2) - Copy...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Neighborhood as an idea, concept, option and strategy has been extensively used locally and globally by the Urban Planners to plan and decentralize cities, create cities within cities, promote self-contained communities and to make cities more humane, safe and socially vibrant. Neighborhood has also been used recently to define the city in terms of travel time - making 10/15 minutes city
Accordingly, large typologies of NH ,in terms of planning and designing , with varying shapes, sizes and contents have emerged in the urban context. Americans have used superblock and French using Sector for defining the neighborhood. Despite distinct advantages, holding high degree of relevance in urban and local area planning , NH planning has not been able to deliver the envisioned objectives of safety and social vibrancy. Cities in the process have been socially, economically and physically fragmented, leading to clear division of cities into different communities with little economical and social connectivity. Variance of planning and designing norms followed at NH and sub-neighborhood levels have promoted more dichotomy and contradictions with varying quality of life inducted at local level. Differential population and infrastructures have divided the city into the categories of high/low end NH units. Fabric and morphology of cities, in large cases, has been distorted with urban settlement emerging as a distinct social map of communities graded economically and socially,on the basis of area/location . In the process, the way NH planning concept has been used, neighborhood planning has emerged as an instrument of social and economic segregation/division. In fact in number of cases, concept has been used, misused, abused in intent and content to divide the cities into distinct social and economic layers. Instead of unifying , concept has led to division of cities.
Genesis of modern application of NH can be found in the planning and designing of Chandigarh where entire city fabric of capital city was woven around Sector as the basic unit of planning, concptulasied as self-contained and self-sustaining unit at the local level. However, the way sectors have been planned, it has led to dividing the cities into different and distinct communities. Individual status in Chandigarh can be judged from his/her residence. Concept of Sector has done more damage than good to the fabric of the city. Chandigarh is likely to face considerable problem in making city socially and economically cohesive/vibrant,. Sectors in Chandigarh remain anti-thesis to the basic concept of NH planning of safety, involving walkability, vehicular movement, putting commercial space in the centre. Considering role, relevance, importance and usability , NH needs to be planned, designed with care and caution, in order to make cities socially and economically vibrant, inclusive. NH planning deserves a new definition and approach to make it relevant and rational.
Reviewing, Revising and Redefining Master Plans and Development Plans to Ma...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Looking at its efficacy and efficiency, it can be seen and observed that Master Plans/ Development Plans have done more damage than good for the planned growth and development of the cities to which they have been made applicable. These plans have been violated with impunity both by the people, communities, cities and parastatal agencies; for the betterment/welfare of which these plans were prepared. These plans have been visualized as controller of development rather than promoters of development. Instead of planned development , these plans have been usherers of the unplanned development. These plans are known to be responsible for promoting large number of slums besides making quality of life poor for majority of the urban inhabitants. Cities under Master Plans are also known to promote exclusion rather than inclusion. Master Plans/Development Plans are known to promote prosperity for few and marginalize the large proportions of the local community by making them poor. Instead of catering to urban dynamism, Master Plans/Development Plans try to freeze the city, for next two decades, to which it is made to serve. Accordingly, these plans need to be reviewed , rationalised, revised and redefined to make them better Master Plans/Development Plans
Rationalizing the Planned Growth of Urban India- paper.docxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Rapid and uncontrolled growth in population experienced by urban areas has adversely impacted and generated considerable pressure on land resource in cities and towns , leading to large scale conversion, sub-division and illegal occupation of urban land. Unregulated and regulated pressure on land has largely been met by means of both formal/informal sub-division and development of land. Growth of the urban settlements and entire mechanism of urban planning and development remains land based/ land focused, based on a strategy of sub-division of the land, dictated by the economic forces prevailing in the market. Irrational and ineffective public policies of urban planning and land sub-division, devoid of prevailing ground realities, have turned out to be incompatible with the demands of urban expansion, leading to large scale un-authorized and illegal sub-division of land. In the process, valuable land resources, gift of nature, has been misused, abused and mutilated in this race of uncontrolled and irrational urbanisation. In order to make optimum use of land resource; making city planning, growth, development and management ,both rational. realistic, orderly and promoter of quality living, it will be critical and essential, that all urban centres are made to focus on eliminating the culture and practices promoting un-authorized/illegal sub-division of land for ushering an environment and era of planned urban development in the country.
Suggestion and Options for integrating villages. within the framework of the...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Preparing Master Plans/Development Plans for any urban settlements, basically and essentially, involves declaring a planning area for which the said long term plans are prepared. Planning area invariably includes and involves, number of rural settlements, which comprise of the planning area besides the urban settlement. It has been observed that in majority of cases, while detailed studies and analysis are carried out of the urban settlements but villages in the study and analysis remain marginalized, diluted and muted. Despite the fact, villages have critical role in the rational development of the urban settlement, but in preparing Master Plans their role and relevance is not made part of the said plan. Accordingly, this text tries to bring out the typologies of villages falling in the planning area and the suggested framework to develop these villages in making Master Plans, better Master Plan. In order to improve Master Plan qualitatively, quantitively, both in intent, contents and scope, It will be appropriate that all the villages falling in the planning area must be studied , analyzed and made integral part of the final outcome of the proposals of Master Plan. In-fact one Chapter must be exclusively dedicated to detail out the issues faced by the Villages and options which can be leveraged to promote the rational growth of villages ,as an integral part of the long term development of the urban settlement , for which the Master Plan is being prepared. This will help not only in integrating the urban- rural settlements falling in the planning area, but would also go a long way in promoting and ensuring rational growth and development of the urban settlement, for which the Master Plan is being prepared.
Making cities Climate Responsive and SustainableJIT KUMAR GUPTA
“Decarbonization” of cities ,as an issue ,as an option and as a strategy , has been gaining currency in the parlance of; making planet earth livable and sustainable. “Decarbonization has been globally valued for keeping the global temperature below 1.5C, and achieving the agenda and goals defined in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, defined by UN for achieving universal sustainability. Despite distinct role and relevance, criticality and importance of decarbonization of cities has neither been properly understood and appreciated nor made integral part of the architectural practice and art and science of designing and construction of buildings. Consuming one -third of global energy (33%) and generating 39% of greenhouse gas emissions buildings have been considered as the major player in the domain of climate change and global warming. Since Architects and Architecture are
actively involved in the making and unmaking of buildings, accordingly it becomes important that planners and architects must play a significant role in making
cities and buildings least consumers of energy and generators of the minimum greenhouse gas emissions. This objective can be achieved if decarbonizing cities/buildings is made a distinct reality . Issue of decarbonizing the cities/buildings assumes importance for the reason, that world’s building floorspace is likely to be become double by the year 2060, with the addition of large number of newcities/ buildings due to rapid urbanization, population growth and economic development ; required for catering to
to the needs of additional population opting for urban living.
Managing Planning and Development of Citie- 26-2-24.docxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Cities in India are known to be in perpetual crisis; facing numerous crises in terms of; crisis of rational growth, crisis of orderly and planned development; crisis of effective and efficient urban management; crisis of making provision of basic infrastructure and services; crisis of climate change; crisis of global warming; crisis of poverty, pollution and population and crisis of making human living and prevailing environment qualitative. These urban crises have genesis in the fact that cities in India, lack ownership, command, authority and lack of willingness to run and manage cities professionally and objectively. In majority of cases, cities in India are run by proxy. In terms of physical growth and development; large cities are marked by multiplicity of agencies claiming right/ownership of development over the urban areas, whereas smaller cities face absence of such ownership and are made to run, operate and function like orphans
Agenda, Approach and Options for Rationalising and Redefining Future Indian ...JIT KUMAR GUPTA
Government of India/state policies, programs, mission and agenda must move providing basic essentials to all its citizens through an efficient, objective and transparent system of governance. For making cities livable and empowering people; right to basics/essential of human living including; Right to shelter, food, clothing universal access to healthcare, education, employment , infrastructures, amenities and mobility; should be made integral part of Indian Constitution by embedding it as Fundamental Rights/Directive Principles of state policy besides making them integral part of planning, development and management/governance process of all human settlements.
Can AI do good? at 'offtheCanvas' India HCI preludeAlan Dix
Invited talk at 'offtheCanvas' IndiaHCI prelude, 29th June 2024.
https://www.alandix.com/academic/talks/offtheCanvas-IndiaHCI2024/
The world is being changed fundamentally by AI and we are constantly faced with newspaper headlines about its harmful effects. However, there is also the potential to both ameliorate theses harms and use the new abilities of AI to transform society for the good. Can you make the difference?
Dive into the innovative world of smart garages with our insightful presentation, "Exploring the Future of Smart Garages." This comprehensive guide covers the latest advancements in garage technology, including automated systems, smart security features, energy efficiency solutions, and seamless integration with smart home ecosystems. Learn how these technologies are transforming traditional garages into high-tech, efficient spaces that enhance convenience, safety, and sustainability.
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Hello everyone! I am thrilled to present my latest portfolio on LinkedIn, marking the culmination of my architectural journey thus far. Over the span of five years, I've been fortunate to acquire a wealth of knowledge under the guidance of esteemed professors and industry mentors. From rigorous academic pursuits to practical engagements, each experience has contributed to my growth and refinement as an architecture student. This portfolio not only showcases my projects but also underscores my attention to detail and to innovative architecture as a profession.
You could be a professional graphic designer and still make mistakes. There is always the possibility of human error. On the other hand if you’re not a designer, the chances of making some common graphic design mistakes are even higher. Because you don’t know what you don’t know. That’s where this blog comes in. To make your job easier and help you create better designs, we have put together a list of common graphic design mistakes that you need to avoid.
Transforming Brand Perception and Boosting Profitabilityaaryangarg12
In today's digital era, the dynamics of brand perception, consumer behavior, and profitability have been profoundly reshaped by the synergy of branding, social media, and website design. This research paper investigates the transformative power of these elements in influencing how individuals perceive brands and products and how this transformation can be harnessed to drive sales and profitability for businesses.
Through an exploration of brand psychology and consumer behavior, this study sheds light on the intricate ways in which effective branding strategies, strategic social media engagement, and user-centric website design contribute to altering consumers' perceptions. We delve into the principles that underlie successful brand transformations, examining how visual identity, messaging, and storytelling can captivate and resonate with target audiences.
Methodologically, this research employs a comprehensive approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. Real-world case studies illustrate the impact of branding, social media campaigns, and website redesigns on consumer perception, sales figures, and profitability. We assess the various metrics, including brand awareness, customer engagement, conversion rates, and revenue growth, to measure the effectiveness of these strategies.
The results underscore the pivotal role of cohesive branding, social media influence, and website usability in shaping positive brand perceptions, influencing consumer decisions, and ultimately bolstering sales and profitability. This paper provides actionable insights and strategic recommendations for businesses seeking to leverage branding, social media, and website design as potent tools to enhance their market position and financial success.
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White wonder, Work developed by Eva TschoppMansi Shah
White Wonder by Eva Tschopp
A tale about our culture around the use of fertilizers and pesticides visiting small farms around Ahmedabad in Matar and Shilaj.
1. Strategy for Promoting Sustainable Cities in India
*Jit Kumar Gupta
Abstract; Twenty first century has been recognised globally as century of reckoning for
human habitation and century of urbanization, with majority of people opting for urban
areas as their preferred place for residence. Accordingly, cities are gaining high degree of
currency on the growth agenda of the nations. Cities, as physical/ geographical entities,
being containers of human beings, are known for their role and importance as generators of
employment, creators of wealth, providers of state of art services and infrastructures besides
being centres for innovations and engines of economic growth and development. Cities are
also known to script the physical, social and economic growth and development of nations.
However, despite distinct advantages, cities are known for their dualities and contradictions
where poverty and prosperity rub shoulders; where slums and skyscrapers compete for
space; where unplanned, haphazard and sub-standard development have emerged as the
order of the day; where majority of population face exclusion and deprivation in
services/basic amenities of life and where quality of life has emerged as a distant dream for
majority of urban residents. Despite being promoters of development, cities are also known
to be major consumers of energy and resources besides generators of waste. Consuming 70%
of global energy and generating 75% of carbon footprints, cities are known to be largely
responsible for global warming and manmade disasters. Considering numerous implications
of cities, UN has mandated that globally cities need to be made energy and resource efficient
besides generators of least waste in order to promote the global sustainability and achieve
the objectives enshrined in the Seventeen SDGs. India, being the second largest urban system
in the world after China, is going through a process of rapid and massive urbanisation, needs
to evolve on priority appropriate strategies and framework for planning, development and
management of cities to make them sustainable, energy and resource efficient. In search for
appropriate solutions, paper looks at the various options in terms of ; Rationalising and
evolving new order of planning; promoting regional planning; making cities compact;
making buildings green; promoting green travel and using state of art technologies to make
cities effective, efficient, productive, liveable and sustainable.
Key words; Regional Planning, Compact City, Green Buildings, Green Transport, Innovative
Technologies
2. INTRODUCTION
Cities have been definers of history, art, culture, power, authority, economy, growth and
development of mankind. Cities have existed in the past and shall continue to define the
march of human civilization in future. Cities are known for their role and importance in
promoting economy, generating employment, providing state of art amenities and services
besides attracting investment and creating wealth for communities and nations. Despite
numerous advantages cities offer, they are also known for their dualities and contradictions..
If cities are creators of wealth they are also areas of concentration of population, poverty and
exclusion. Cities, as conglomerate of people, population, buildings and activities, are known
to be prime generators of conditions adversely impacting both local and global ecology and
climate besides polluting environment. . Global warming and climate change can be largely
attributed to the way cities grow, operate, function and consume energy. Cities, as consumers
of energy and resources, have its genesis in the manner they are planned ; way majority of
building are designed and the manner in which people are made to travel for meeting their
basic needs and discharge their daily obligations. City planning has also been found to be
heavily biased towards physical planning with little focus and priority for protecting,
preserving and promoting environment. Such an approach has made cities highly polluted
and environmentally unsustainable. In order to make cities more liveable, humane, and
sustainable and promoters of quality environment and ecology, the planning, development
and management process of the city will have to be reviewed, revised and redefined.
Studies made by United Nations about the global trends in urbanization, has concluded that
world is urbanizing rapidly, with year 2007 marking a historic milestone in the human history
,when for the first time global urban population exceeded the global rural population and the
world population has remained predominantly urban thereafter. The present trend has history
spanning over last six decades when process of urbanization gained momentum and got
accelerated. UN Report further enumerates that in 1950, more than two- third (70%)
population worldwide lived in rural settlements and less than one-third(30%) in urban
settlements. In 2014, 54% of the world population became urban. With present growth rate, it
is estimated that by 2050, the world will be one-third rural and two-third urban- roughly the
reverse of global rural- urban population distribution of mid twentieth century. With level of
urbanization varying greatly, study further states that Africa and Asia remain largely rural
with urbanisation levels placed at 40% and 48%.However, these two regions, housing major
3. global population, will urbanize faster with projected levels of 56% and 64% by 2050.
Despite low level of urbanization, China, which in 2014 housed a urban population of
758.360 million as against 410.204 million in India, will have 1049.948 million urban
population as against India’s 814.399 million in 2050. India will be home to 7 out of 40 ten
million cities of the world in 2050 as against 3 out of 28 in 2014.
With 378 million persons (2011 census) residing in 53 metros and 7935 urban centres, India
has emerged as the second largest urban system in the world after China despite level of
urbanization placed at 31.1%. The growth of urban population has been rather fast in the post-
independence period. Growth of urban population has also been found to be co-terminus with
the number of urban centres. Census 2011, will be known for two historic facts in the Indian
demography, firstly for the largest increase (53%) in number of urban settlements from
5161(2001) to 7935(2011) and secondly for the higher growth of urban population
(91million) as compared to rural population (90 million) in absolute terms during the
decay2001-11, indicating that India is now on the fast trajectory of urbanization.
Cities are known to be dictating economy, generating majority of employment, determining
quality of life, emerging as incubators of ideas and innovation and providers of quality social
and physical infrastructures and accordingly are the major drivers of development and
prosperity. However, despite many positive aspects of urban centres, cities have been
growing in an unplanned and haphazard manner with urban growth marked by chaos,
disorder, dualities and contradictions. . Cities are facing the greatest challenges of meeting
the basic needs of shelter, healthcare, education, water and sanitation for its residents. In the
process, majority of urban residents are being marginalised. Quality of life in urban India is
fast becoming nightmare for migrants. Population, poverty, pollution and exclusion have
emerged as the hallmarks of Indian urbanisation. With urban population reaching 600 million
out of 1.4 billion in 2030, greatest challenge before urban planners, architects and policy
makers would be, how to harmonise the growth and development of urban India and make it
sustainable, smart and rational.
Sustainable Development Goals
In order to make this planet earth sustainable, including all human habitats sustainable, UNO
has come out with the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals, otherwise known as Global
Goals. Coming into effect in January, 2016, these goals are universal call for action to end
poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17
4. goals built on the success of Millennium Development Goals, include new areas such as
climate change, economic equality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice,
among other priorities. These goals are interconnected, often the key to success on one will
involve tackling issues more commonly related with another.
Rapidly increasing population and fast urbanising world, have been observed to be two
major threats to the global sustainability. Studies made by UN indicates that ,half of
humanity,3.5 billion people, lives in cities today and 5 billion people are projected to live in
cities by 2030. 95 per cent of urban expansion in the next decades will take place in
developing world. 883 million people live in slums today and most them are found in Eastern
and South-Eastern Asia. The world’s cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but
account for 60-80 per cent of energy consumption and 75 per cent of carbon emissions. Rapid
urbanization is exerting pressure on fresh water supplies, sewage, the living environment, and
public health. As of 2016, 90% of urban dwellers have been breathing unsafe air, resulting in
4.2 million deaths due to ambient air pollution. More than half of the global urban population
are exposed to air pollution levels at least 2.5 times higher than the safety standard.
Considering critical role and importance of cities and towns, Sustainable Development Goal
11 focuses on making cities and communities sustainable in order to promote global
sustainability because cities are known to be hub for ideas, commerce, culture, science,
productivity, social development. At their best, cities have enabled people to advance socially
and economically. With the number of people living within cities projected to rise to 5 billion
people by 2030, it’s important that efficient urban planning and management practices are put
in place on priority to deal with the challenges brought by urbanization. Many challenges
exist to maintaining cities in a way that continues to create jobs and prosperity without
straining land and resources. Common urban challenges include congestion, lack of funds to
provide basic services, shortage of adequate housing, declining infrastructure and rising air
pollution within cities. Rapid urbanization challenges, within cities, can be overcome in such
a manner that allow them to continue to thrive and grow, while improving resource use and
reducing pollution and poverty.. There needs to be a future in which cities provide
opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.
This calls for evolving New Urban Agenda which set global standards of achievement in
sustainable urban development, rethinking the way we build, manage, and live in cities
through drawing together cooperation with committed partners, relevant stakeholders, and
5. urban actors at all levels of government as well as the civil society and private sector.
Struggle for sustainability will be won or lost depending how we manage our cities.
REDEFINING PLANNING
Growth of cities is largely dictated by urban planning, development and management
processes. Accordingly, it will be appropriate to look at the prevailing planning, development
and management practices in India , identify roadblocks and redefine new order of urban
planning and development options to make cities smart, green, more humane, equitable, just,
efficient, productive, sustainable and providers of assured quality of life to all urban residents
including poorest of the poor. Prevailing planning tools, practices and pattern have done more
damage than good to the cities and made them unsustainable. Creating sustainable cities
would require new order of urban planning, considering the contours and complexity of such
a city. New order of planning would involve making planning people centric, transparent,
community oriented and flexible. Its focus shall be to minimize prevailing urban dualities and
contradictions and to promote development based on equity, inclusiveness and providing
opportunities to all. Master Plans, which have been used by planners as the panacea to
overcome all the urban ills, will have to be objectively reviewed, redrawn /redefined with
appropriate innovations/changes made in the intent, contents and scope of such plans. New
order of Master Plans will not be merely land-use plans, defining/freezing the city future once
for all for next two decades, indicating the use of every parcel of land in the city. They will
take a ‘whole city’ and integrated approach to planning and will focus on the urban form,
shape and typology of the city. Since cities are dynamic entities, ever changing, ever shaping,
ever evolving and ever devolving, they will require plans which provide inbuilt flexibility to
cater to urban dynamism. The master plans would accordingly be dynamic in nature, growing
and evolving with the growth of towns. New breed of Master Plans would be based on state
art technologies and a distinct vision, evolved after detailed study, analysis and understanding
of the city fabric and its growth potential duly supported by detailed planning and
development guidelines. The vision shall be achieved through well defined missions for
different facets of city involving planning and development. Each development project shall
be evaluated in the context of defined vision and guidelines, by a multi-disciplinary team of
experts by involving stakeholders before accepting. The city planning shall not be dictated
exclusively by planners but will involve larger set of experts representing different shades of
city planning, growth and management to rationalize decision making. Architects, urban
6. designers, landscape experts, service providers, environmentalists, transport experts,
conservationists, art and culture historians and sociologists etc will have critical role in
planning the sustainable cities.
New order of planning will be
geared to make the city compact
to reduce travel and extent of
service network to bring
economy and operational
efficiency in the city. In this
context, the focus of the city
shall be people. Planning shall
also promote better relationship
between living and working by adopting the mechanism of transit oriented development. In
this pattern, the focus shall be to provide mix of housing, offices, work areas, commercial and
institutions along the mass transport network, provided within walking distance. Green spaces
and basic services and amenities, both social and physical, on the defined norms shall form
integral part of urban living and working in order to promote highest order of environment
and ecology. Foundations of the sustainable cities shall be planned and built on the basis of
inclusiveness, self-reliance and self-sustainability, having minimum impact on local and
global environment and ecology.
Considering the major implications of urban areas, being largest consumers of energy and
resources, generators of waste and emitters of green house gasses , largely due to
transportation and built environment, the new regime of urban planning will focus on
minimising travel and create buildings which are least consumers of energy and resources.
Smart planning will focus on creating cities which are highly energy efficient, made possible
by adopting shape and size of the city, which involve minimum travel and minimum service
network.
REGIONAL PLANNING
City planning will be, primarily and essentially, guided by the principle of inclusiveness. In
addition, to looking inward, new regime of urban planning will also be looking outward so as
to link the city with its surrounding areas/settlements. No city exists in spatial isolation. Every
city has its periphery/area of influence to support it. This zone of influence varies with the
7. size, location, primacy, accessibility, population, nature of specialisation, administrative
status, amenities, services etc. The existing pattern of urban planning ignores the critical role
and importance of periphery in sustaining/rationalizing the city growth and development. In
fact majority of prevailing urban ills have their genesis in ignoring the planning, growth and
development of surrounding urban/rural settlements. Accordingly, new regime of
urbanplanning will involve an approach which would be both inward and outward looking at
the cities. Most efficient cities in the world have adopted Regional perspective and not just
looking at cities growth. The Regional approach/model has helped them in minimizing local
competition and conflicts, over/under investment in infrastructure and overcoming confusion
over role and responsibilities of various agencies and making city smart. In the process, it has
promoted higher order of co-operation and growth, of not only of the city but also of the
region. Looking outward can also help in achieving the objectives of integration and
decentralized planning, enshrined in 74th Constitutional Amendment Act,1992.
TIANJIT CITY
Tianjin eco-city, in China, has been
planned and developed as a sustainable
eco-city for a population of 3,50,000
spread over an area of 30 sq.kms. The
city is planned as a combination of
Three Harmonies involving social
harmony, economic vibrancy and
environmental sustainability besides
Three Abilities including practicability,
replicability and scalability. These objectives have been achieved by using a derelict/non-
arable site with planning based on mixed land use and transit oriented development principles;
city mobility based on green transportation providing for increased use of public transport and
non-motorised modes involving walking and cycling. Highest quality of life has been
achieved by planning extensive green (vegetation) and blue (water) networks,as integral part
of city fabric of living and working. For ensuring appropriate quality of life to the residents on
sustained basis, planning is based on 22 quantitative and 4 qualitative Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs), which define the development standards for the city in terms of amenities,
services, air-quality, environment, ecology, noise, carbon emission, wetland, buildings,
plantation, green spaces, accessibility, housing and employment. R&D has also been included
8. as one of the KPI to ensure city growth is based on latest technologies and innovations.
Tianjin is envisioned to be a thriving city which is socially harmonious, environmental
friendly, resource efficient and a role model of sustainable development. Tianjin eco-city
provides a replicable model of planning smart cities in India with appropriate modifications.
MAKING CITIES COMPACT
Sustainable cities have to be compact.
Globally, the compact city has been
accepted to be the most sustainable
urban form. Compact city remains a
city of short distances involving
minimum use of land. It is known as
an urban planning and urban design
concept, which promotes relatively
high residential density with mixed lan
d uses. Sustainable Compact Cities
reinstate the city as the ideal habitat for a community-based society. The Compact City
addresses the issues of designing cities where communities thrive and mobility is increased,
where personal mobility is promoted without using cars; where use of green transport is the
order of mobility and where streets dominate the cityscape favouring the pedestrians and
the community. Compact city grows around centres of social and commercial activity
located at public transport nodes. These provide the focal points around which
neighbourhoods develop. The Compact City is a network of these neighbourhoods, each with
its own parks and public spaces and accommodating a diversity of overlapping private and
public activities
For making a city compact, it has to be planned, designed and developed as a vertical and
inward looking city. No horizontal and outward looking city can be smart. Creating compact
city would essentially involve promoting high density development for providing large built
up area using minimum land. Horizontally spread cities are known to be cost intensive,
energy and land inefficient because of larger spread of services and road network. Horizontal
spread of city leads to larger travel demand and greater trip length , calling for the provision
of large and complex mechanized transportation, making the city large consumer of resources
and energy, generating green house gasses, creating more pollution, adversely impacting the
9. health and quality of life of the residents. Horizontal cities invariably lead to numerous
operational and management problems besides making the city environmentally
unsustainable. It also reduces the productivity and operational efficiency of the city due to
large time and resources spent on travel. Compact cities on other hand offer distinct
advantages in terms of saving precious land resource, economy in development, energy
efficiency, promoting pedestrianization, cycling and mass transportation with least
dependence on personalized vehicles. Compact cities are known to make city life supportive
of social living and overcoming the two worst gifts of urbanization including travel and
traffic. Promoting non-mechanized travel has distinct advantages in improving the health of
residents besides making cities more humane and liveable due to large personal contacts.
Planning vertical cities would however, require new state of art approach to planning. Present
approach to city planning would have to be re-defined with new order of development
controls put in place. It would also require new planning norms and standards for land use and
supportive amenities and basic services to be put in place. Planning vertical cities would
ensure that basic principles of city planning are not sacrificed and city would be planned and
designed to promote highest order of quality of life, provide high order of productivity and
ensure availability of basic services/ amenities to lead an optimum life. Cities of Singapore
and New York have clearly demonstrated the distinct advantages of vertical development in
promoting quality of life and higher order of operational efficiency. In search of finding
optimum solutions to make the city development inward and vertical, Singapore adopted the
mechanism of using digital survey of the city, identified buildings which were low rise,
evolved a policy and provided incentives to owners to put high rise buildings to replace the
low intensity development in order to overcome the problem of high cost of living and
provide more housing space in the city. City of New York permitted the sub-division of land
and construction of studio apartments on the terraces of the existing buildings to create more
housing space in the city. Though the system of redensification of the existing cities may be
slow and cumbersome but new and green field cities offer enormous opportunities to be
planned and developed as vertical cities for making them smart. With cities responsible for
consuming more than 70% global energy and generating 75% of green house gas emissions,
largely due to transportation and built environment, it becomes critical that both these
problems are addressed by planning and designing the cities in a manner that they involve
minimum travel and have buildings which are primarily and essentially green. Planning
vertical cities would be most desirable and essential because India has only 2.4% of global
10. land with 16.7% of global population to hold/support, which would require land resource to
be preserved, conserved, protected and used in a most optimum manner for ensuring
sustainability and survival of the country.
GREEN BUILDINGS
Buildings have critical role in making the
cities smart. No city can be made smart
unless it is supported by built
environment, which is energy efficient
and intelligent because buildings use over
40% world’s total energy, 30% raw
materials, 25% timber harvested, 16%
fresh water withdrawal and are
responsible for 35% of world’s CO2
emission, 40% municipal solid waste, 50% ozone depleting CFC besides making 30%
residents having sick building syndrome. With number of people rushing, towards
urban centres, energy requirements of cities due to buildings, is going to rise sharply in
future. As per Mckinsey Global Institute Report (April, 2010), ‘India Urban Awakening
:Building Inclusive Cities’, India would be required to create on annual basis buildings to the
tune of 700-900 million sqmts (equal to the built up volume of Chicago City in USA) to meet
the needs of urban India. Despite huge projected requirements , very little focus is being
given to mitigate the adverse impact on the environment caused by rapid and uncontrolled
growth of building industry. Thus building as a sector would require close scrutiny and
monitoring for effecting overall economy in the levels of energy consumption and making
cities sustainable.
Experience and studies have shown that adopting an integrated approach to design can reduce
energy implications of buildings. Integrated approach to building design would essentially
revolve round, rational site planning, shape and size of the buildings, built form, surface to
volume ratio; promoting building efficiency ,rationalising ratio between length and depth of
the building, using simple techniques of building structure, efficient structural design;
adopting principles of solar passive techniques , using energy efficient equipment,
controlling lighting, heating, ventilation ; using solar energy/air movement, reduced use of
11. transportation energy, low energy components; minimising waste, using local materials,
optimising landscaping etc.
Orientation is the most critical factor which needs to be effectively used in all building
designs in order to evolve energy efficient building design by making use of solar
light/heat/radiation and the wind energy. However, requirements of building design would
vary from region to region, state to state and within regions and states. Accordingly,
buildings with regard to sun and wind will have to be oriented differently in different regions.
In order to ensure that buildings make best use of solar and wind energy, it would be essential
that majority of buildings would have the site advantage of having best orientation where
such buildings are to be constructed. Accordingly, in this context town planners have
important role cast for themselves for ensuring that while preparing the layout plan of the
area, highest consideration is given to orientation so that maximum number of plots have the
advantage of best orientation. Once this is ensured at the planning level, it would be much
easier for the Architects to evolve a design which would be energy efficient. Further, the
planners should ensure that ratio of plot width and depth is fixed in such a manner that the
entire depth of built up area permitted on a plot should have access to natural light during the
day, minimizing the requirement of artificial lighting. This would be particularly important in
case of row housing where plots have the option to draw light from front and the rear only.
Designing with nature by making best use of existing natural elements/sources and
vegetation, offers the best option of creating green buildings. In order to ensure that buildings
are designed as energy efficient, they must be designed to conform to the norms and
standards laid down by the IGBC/LEED. In addition, concerted efforts should be made to
promote retrofitting of existing buildings to make them
energy efficient. Singapore has already drawn a master
plan to make all the existing buildings green through a
collaborative policy framework involving residents,
property owners and the government. Retrofitting of
Empire State Building of New York has led to achieving
reduction of electricity load for the building to the tune
of 3.5 MW and reduction of green house gas emissions
by 1,00,000 tonnes over a 15 years period. The
payback/recovery period for the $13.1 million spent on
retrofitting of building, has been laced at 3.5 years due to saving of energy.
12. PLANNING SMART/SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
Cities, as explained above, are
known to contribute 70% of global
green house gas emissions, with
majority of contribution coming
from transportation and buildings.
With traditional fuels, transportation
sector alone contributes 45% of
total carbon emissions. Challenges
posed by transportation sector
accordingly remain daunting and
formidable in creating smart cities.
To overcome these challenges one of the best option would be to promote sustainable urban
transport in order to make cities cleaner, greener and smarter. Promoting sustainable urban
transport would accordingly form integral and essential part of any strategy to promote
Sustainable Cities. Such cities would have different order of priority for transporation,
where the principle shall be planning for people and not for vehicle and promoting
accessibility rather than mobility. Accordingly, preferred order of transportation would be
led by pedestrianization, cycling and public transport with least priority going to personal
transport. Smart cities will be planned with priority for people and not for vehicles. In smart
cities, sustainable transport would essentially call for minimizing use of personalized
vehicles; promoting non- mechanized/ non-fuel based options for travel; using public
transport with large capacity, run essentials on non-polluting fuels /electricity; using state of
art technologies, making vehicles zero-emission; making cities more compact to limit the
need of mechanized travel; using land use planning to rationalize the travel pattern etc. It
would also involve use of information technologies as one of the mechanism to reduce travel
by using homes as offices, schools, libraries etc.
Study recently made by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), has revealed that Delhi
Metro, having daily ridership of 27 lakhs, has helped in replacing 3.9 lakh vehicles off the
Delhi roads in 2014 besides saving Rs 10,364 crores in terms of fuel, pollution and
passenger’s time. In absolute terms, the annual reduction in fuel consumption has been
recorded at 2.76 lakh tonnes, as against the corresponding figures of the year 2011, besides
bringing down the travel time of commuters by 32 minutes. In addition, to promoting
13. operational efficiency and making Delhi cleaner and green. Study furthers states that metro
has made the city safer by reducing the number of fatal accidents.
Draft Concept note evolved by the Ministry of Urban Development for the Smart Cities has
defined the transportation parameters for a smart city in terms of maximum travel time of 30
minutes in small & medium size cities and 45 minutes in metropolitan areas; creating
continuous unobstructed footpaths of minimum 2m width on either side of all street with right
of way of 12m or more; dedicated and physically segregated bicycle tracks with a width of
2m or more, one in each direction, provided on all streets with carriageway larger than 10m
;high quality and high frequency mass transport within 800m (10-15 minute walking
distance) of all residences in areas with density of over 175 persons / ha of built Area and
access to para-transit within 300m walking distance, in order to promote the use of mass
transport for meeting the travel demand of residents with least dependence on individual
mechanized transport.
Increased use of environment-friendly public transport systems and halting of urban sprawl in
cities can substantially reduce emissions at city level and make cities cleaner, greener,
smarter and sustainable. However, creating sustainable urban transport would require a multi-
pronged strategy based on leveraging the advantages of all modes of travel, involving
communities and stakeholders besides professionals engaged in urban/transport planning,
development and management Our capacity to create sustainable urban transport, through
state of art cleaner and greener technologies with innovative city planning, development and
management, would hold the key to the productivity, economy, quality of life, sustainability
and operational efficiency of human settlements and to make cities smart.
LEVERAGING SMART TECHNOLOGY
Sustainable cities, besides being smart will also have to be intelligent. They will have to be
user-friendly and supportive of higher order of productivity and quality of life. Accordingly,
state of art technologies will form integral part of planning, development and management of
day to day operations of these cities. Use of innovative/smart technology will promote
operational efficiency, bring economy, efficiency in service delivery and promote high degree
of urban governance. Globally, successful cities are extensively using Information
Communication Technology (ICT) to promote good governance, bringing transparency in
decision making and involving communities and residents in planning and decision making.
ICT is also being used to reduce/bridge gap between people’s aspiration and administrative
14. decision making. ICT has critical role in rationalizing traffic and transportation, reducing
congestion, creating awareness among road users, reducing pollution and green house gas
emissions. Monitoring of service delivery and plugging leakage in services have been checked
effectively by ICT. Technology has also been used to generate enormous data regarding city,
its growth, development and operations which serves as a valuable base/input for planning
and rational decision making. Intelligent systems have been used to integrate data generated
by different sources in the organization at the city level and to bring high degree of integration
among the working of the various departments within the organization.
Many cities have created interactive portals to provide information and promote connectivity
with people and for addressing their grievances. Dimming/ switching street lights
automatically by using real time data to save 30% on energy cost; using cameras at cross-
sections to optimise traffic lights, cut travel times while reducing air pollution and cost of
tackling it ; using One Map, an online portal, enabling government, business, organisations
and residents to access geo-spatial data; using digital applications to register concern about
streets that require cleaning and potholes needing repair ; generating data regarding solid
waste management in terms of carrying garbage bins; posting information online about
pending changes to land use plan; sharing data suggesting best bus route for any journey in
the city ; engaging citizens as active partners in planning and development process;
providing drivers with real- time traffic information to avoid congested roads and city
authorities to track traffic volumes and plan for new roads; creating world’s first solar
powered bike lane to make cycle even greener, have been effectively leveraged by cities of
Boston, Berlin, California, London, and Bucheon in South Korea to make them smarter and
harmonious.
SMART GOVERNANCE
Urban Governance as an issue, as an
option and as a strategy to leverage the
inherent potential of urban centres has
been well recognized and has assumed
critical importance in the context of ever
growing role and importance of urban
centres in the overall economic growth,
employment generation and contribution
15. such centres make to the national/state wealth. Accordingly, good urban governance ranks
high on the agenda of promoting smart cities. With urban centres growing larger and larger,
urban governance becomes critical because impact it has on the life and liberty of
innumerable urban dwellers. With cities becoming centres for large investments, large
concentration of population and providers of specialized services and amenities, their
effective and efficient governance assumes added importance.
With India following a policy of economic liberalization, globalization and deregulation,
urban centres in general and large urban centers in particular are attracting large investment.
Urban centres have emerged as the hub around which entire Indian economy and polity is
gravitating. Accordingly, it would be essential that appropriate and supportive environment is
created in these centres to attract higher level of investment,; contribute to the national
economy and wealth; provide large employment, eradicate poverty and ensure appropriate
quality of life to make them inclusive, equitable, productive and sustainable. If urban centres
have been termed as engines of economic growth, urban governance can rightly be called
wheels of such engines. Urban governance accordingly becomes more relevant and critical,
because capacity of a nation to pursue its goals of economic, physical and social growth is
contingent upon its capacity to govern its towns and cities, effectively and efficiently.
For promoting sustainability, Habitat Agenda,1996 has identified, adequate shelter for all
and sustainable human settlements as the international priorities. Subsequently, UN General
Assembly and World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 stressed the need for,
promoting more sustainable urbanization through better urban governance. However, urban
governance in India is conspicuous by its absence. Cities, as already stated, are being run by
proxy by state and bureaucracy. If cities are to be made smart, then it will be critical to create
local leadership having vision, knowledge, expertise, capability and capacity to launch city
on the path of rational and planned development. Leadership also needs to be made
accountable to people and state for all the decisions made. Adequate framework for checks
and balances will have to be created at the local level in order to avoid misuse and abuse of
power and authority and promote accountability. State must allow and incentivize the local
bodies to take up the onus of managing cities and supporting communities to create quality
leadership. In order to create quality and accountable leadership at the local level, City
Mayor/President and other office bearers of the urban local bodies must be directly elected
by people and held accountable for governance. In addition to creating local leadership, it
will be critical to provide quality supportive manpower at the local level having expertise in
16. planning, development, management and financing the urban growth. State must create a
dedicated cadre of CEOs for the cities from bureaucracy and professionals to work at the
local level to make them the city managers. Pattern adopted in Singapore for urban
governance can be used as a model, with appropriate modifications, to promote high degree
of urban governance at the local level.
NEW URBAN AGENDA
As oer UN, New Urban Agenda was adopted by World leaders in the year 2016, which sets a
new global standard for sustainable urban development, and to help /rethink how we plan,
manage and live in cities. The New Urban Agenda is roadmap for building cities that can
serve as engines of prosperity and centres of cultural and social well-being while protecting
the environment. The Agenda also provides guidance for achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals and provides the underpinning for actions to address climate change. For
achieving the mandate of The New Urban Agenda, it will require new regime of urban rules
and regulations, improved urban planning and design, and municipal finance, among other
things Agenda calls for;
Provide basic services for all citizens
Services include: access to housing, safe drinking water and sanitation, nutritious
food, healthcare and family planning, education, culture and access to communication
technologies.
Ensure that all citizens have access to equal opportunities and face no
discrimination
Everyone has the right to benefit from what their cities offer. It calls on city
authorities to take into account the needs of women, youth and children, people with
disabilities, marginalized groups, older persons, indigenous people, among other
groups.
Promote measures that support cleaner cities
Tackling air pollution in cities is good both for people”s health and for the planet.
Increase use of renewable energy, provide better and greener public transport, and
sustainably manage their natural resources.
Strengthen resilience in cities to reduce the risk and the impact of disasters
To minimise the adverse impact of natural disaster in cities, promote implementation/
17. mitigation and adaptation measures to minimize these impacts through: better urban
planning, quality infrastructure and improving local responses.
Take action to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Involve local government and all other actors of society to take climate action taking
into account the Paris Agreement on climate change which seeks to limit the increase
in global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Sustainable cities that reduce
emissions from energy and build resilience can play a lead role.
Fully respect the rights of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons
regardless of their migration status
Migration poses challenges but also brings significant contributions to urban life.
Accordingly, there is an urgent need to establish measures that help migrants and
refugees to make positive contributions to societies.
Improve connectivity and support innovative and green initiatives
By establishing partnerships with businesses and civil society to find sustainable
solutions to urban challenges
Promote safe, accessible and green public spaces
Human interaction should be facilitated by urban planning to increase public spaces
such as sidewalks, cycling lanes, gardens, squares and parks. Sustainable urban design
plays a key role in ensuring the liveability and prosperity of a city.
CONCLUSION
Sustainable and smart city is not a new
concept and has been followed globally to
improve the quality of living and promote
operational efficiency and productivity of the
cities. It is an attempt to make cities more
liveable, sustainable and for creating a brand
image to attract investment and make them a
tourist destination. Globally , smart cities are
characterised by high degree of
environmental consciousness; using
information technology to promote energy/
resources efficiency; creation of knowledge infrastructure; promoting sustainable economic
development and high quality of life; ensuring wise management of natural resources through
18. participatory action. According to Forbe, the structure of smart cities will have to be built on
eight pillars involving: ‘smart governance, smart energy, smart buildings, smart mobility,
smart infrastructure, smart technology, smart healthcare and smart citizens’. Based on detailed
studies and in-depth analysis made of the most successful case studies globally, as how to
transform cities into great places to live and make a city great, Mckinsey’s suggests three
pronged strategy involving, achieving smart growth, do more with less and win support for
change. Considering the entire gamut of urban settlements, a city can be made Sustainable
only if it is planned smart, developed smart, operated smart, financed smart and governed
smartly .
REFRENCES
McKinsey Global Institute, “India’s Urban Awakening: Building Inclusive Cities,
Sustaining Economic Growth”, April 2010.
Government of India, ”Faster, Sustainable and More Inclusive Growth- An Approach to
the Twelfth Five Year Plan”, Planning Commission, pp.108-114,October, 2011
Shannon B, David Cis, Lenny& four others, “How to make a city great”, McKinsey
Global Institute, pp.8-25,cities@mckinsey.com
United Nations, “World Urbanization Prospects- The 2014 Revision”, pp.7-10, New
York, 2014.
UN Habitat, “State of World’s Cities 2008/9, Overview and Key Findings”, pp. x-xvi,
New York, 2009.
“Urban News Digest”, Volume III, issue 9: www.urbannewsdigest.in, New Delhi, pp4-
8,November2014
Unpublished brief, “Tianjin Eco City- A Fact Sheet”, IGBC Confederation of Indian
Industries,pp.1-7,2014
Government of India, “Draft Concept Note on Smart Cities”, Ministry of Housing and
Urban Development, pp. 8,33, October,2014
UN Habitat, “State of World’s Cities 2008/9, Overview and Key Findings”, pp. x-xvi,
New York, 2009.
Gupta Jit Kumar; Strategies for Promoting Urban Sustainability; published paper
Domain 4-Performance Based Built Environment; Compact City
UN; New Urban Agenda; Key Commitments; October 20,2016
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2016/10/newurbanagenda/ https://habit
at3.org/the-new-urban-agenda/
Author;
*Jit Kumar Gupta
Founder Director, College of Architecture, IET Bhaddal
#344, Sector 40-A, Chandigarh-160036
Email -- jit.kumar1944@gmail.com,,Mob- 090410-26414