[Answered] Rethinking cities to make them more liveable, inclusive, and integrated is a key component in promoting smart cities. Elaborate.

Currently, 54 percent of the world’s population lives in cities, and it is predicted to rise to 66 percent by 2050. India is the second largest urban system in the world with almost 11% of the total global urban population living in Indian cities. India’s urban population is expected to cross 50% of total population within next two decades.

According to the World Bank, smart cities make the process of urbanization more inclusive through the integration of migrants, bringing together the formal and informal sectors, and providing services for both the rich and the poor. Also it will be helpful in solving following issues:

• No framework for development: A sustainable blueprint for governance for smart cities is necessary. There is lack of a city development model and adequate standards for promoting smart cities, including for housing, water, sanitation, health, and environmental sustainability.
• Multiplicity of projects: There are multiple infrastructure projects like expansion of city roads and highways, water reservoir and storage-related development which are mostly undertaken by development authorities or the State governments.
• Decreased role of local governments: This leads to poor governance of the projects and lack of coordination.
• The present urban chaos in India is mainly the result of ineffective and inefficient urban management, inadequate revenue base, lack of coordination between various municipal agencies, and the non-participatory attitude of stakeholders.

What can be done?

• Urban design: A proper urban designing or urban planning is needed to make cities smart and sustainable. It should provide socio-economic opportunitiesfor its expanding labour force and a safer and more secure environment. It should also provide a unique identity for each city along with greater adaptability to changing climatic, economic, and social factors.
• Use of ICT: with numerous physical devices linked to an Internet of Things (IoT) network that provides effectiveness in local operations and services. It also helps municipalities to engage with people, keep an eye on the happenings of the city, improve the quality of services and improve citizen-government interaction.
• Gathering data:It is beneficial for a smart city to gather data and information that could be further used to improve the processes, operations and governance systems of the city like monitoring and managing power plants, water supply, etc.

Smart cities need to be sustainable smart cities with environmental, social, economic, and cultural dimensions. It must also integrate the newest technology with governance and enhance innovative socio-technical, socio-economic, and socio-cultural aspects of growth.