VIJAYAWADA: Founder of Isha Foundation, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, has remarked that vertical urbanisation is the only way forward to build and develop new cities, taking the country’s present population into consideration. The policy-makers should make legislations that would protect open spaces from being encroached upon, taking future generations into consideration.
In a reply to a query on how to make happiness a principle in urban development during the ‘Happy Dialogue’ session moderated by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Happy Cities Summit on Tuesday, the Sadhguru proposed the idea of ‘one-building’ cities. “Vertical development is the only way forward. By vertical, I don’t mean completely using the available space. While 5 per cent of the land should be for the building, the remaining 95 per cent should be left open. It is a one-building city where all facilities are available. In the future, land availability not money would be the issue,” he said.
Jaggi Vasudev said he was trying to propose the same to the Union Ministry of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, and suggested that Andhra Pradesh develop its cities in that model. “Once it is done, the policy-makers (at the Centre) would take note of it,” he said.
The Sadhguru further said that the government should address the rural-urban migration issues, to ensure happiness. “While focusing on the cities, the government should ensure urbanisation of rural areas,” he observed. Earlier, delivering the keynote address, Chief Minister N Chandrababu said that money and living standards do not necessarily make a person happy.
“It is the way of living that gives happiness. That is the reason we are open to ideas from experts in building our capital. We are ready to implement any innovation that you would propose. Make Amaravati your second home where the focus would be on innovation, happiness, liveability and sustainability,” he said.
He said the State government is aiming at 50 per cent green cover, apart from using electric vehicles for all modes of transportation. He said his government would leverage the solar energy to do so.Executive Director of Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore, Khoo Teng Chye, invited CM Naidu to the World Cities Summit to be held in the island nation in July.
“The story of Amaravati is an inspiring one, and the world needs to know about it,” he said.
On the occasion, Chairman of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Prem C Jain presented the IGBC Green City Platinum Award to Amaravati. The socio-economic master plan of Amaravati was also released by Jaggi Vasudev.Ministers P Narayana, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and Nakka Anand Babu, and CRDA Commissiner Cherukuri Sreedhar were also present.
Day-2 Schedule
Yoga session by Isha Foundation
Plenary sessions: ‘Measuring City Happiness’, ‘Innovating for Happiness’, ‘Joyful Living’, ‘Clean, Blue and Green: Sustainable, Efficient and Resilient Cities’ and ‘Happy City Index’
Pitch competition on urban innovation