Q11. With a brief background of the quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.”

Model Answer:

Introduction

Urbanisation in India has accelerated rapidly, with over 34% of the population now living in urban areas, projected to increase to 40% by 2031. This rapid growth has led to significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, pollution, traffic congestion, and a lack of basic services, resulting in a declining quality of urban life. Many cities face issues such as slums, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water and healthcare. In response to these challenges, the Government of India launched the Smart City Programme in 2015, aiming to enhance urban living conditions through innovative solutions and sustainable practices.

Body

Objectives of the Smart City Programme:

• Improving Quality of Life: The primary objective is to enhance the quality of life for urban residents by providing access to reliable basic services, including water supply, sanitation, and waste management.
• Sustainable Urban Development: The programme aims to promote sustainable urban development by integrating technology and ensuring efficient resource management, thereby reducing the environmental impact of urbanisation.
• Economic Growth and Employment: By developing smart infrastructure, the programme seeks to attract investments, boost local economies, and create employment opportunities.
• Citizen Participation and Governance: The programme emphasises citizen engagement and participatory governance, ensuring that the voices of residents are included in the planning and implementation of urban projects.

Strategy of the Smart City Programme:

• Technology-Driven Solutions: The programme focuses on deploying technology to improve service delivery. This includes smart traffic management systems, digital platforms for citizen engagement, and data analytics for better urban planning.
• Integrated Urban Planning: Smart Cities will be developed based on comprehensive and integrated urban planning, ensuring that infrastructure projects align with the needs of the local population and environment.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): The programme encourages collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society to leverage resources, expertise, and innovation in developing smart city projects.
• Capacity Building: Training and capacity building for local governments and urban planners are integral to the programme, ensuring they have the skills to implement and manage smart city initiatives effectively.

Conclusion

‍The Smart City Programme represents a strategic response to the challenges of urbanisation in India. By focusing on improving the quality of urban life through sustainable development, technological integration, and citizen participation, the programme aims to create resilient and livable cities. The successful implementation of this initiative has the potential to transform urban India, making cities more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable for future generations.

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