The Indian Government has declared a mission of creating 100 smart cities across the nation banking on better technology, superior management and modern governance. Trying to teach the components by way of their PG Diploma in Smart City Planning and Management is Swarnabhoomi Academic Institutions (SAI), Chennai. Listing the needs of a smart city to begin with is Rangapriya Goutham, Head–Education Services, SAI, “A smart city would be based on a 2,500 acre core economic engine surrounded by a 50,000-acre satellite or periphery area, which would accommodate about 1 million people each — with 70 per cent of the population in the periphery.”
It is also envisaged that smart cities could generate about three lakh jobs. She also says that a smart city would be able to give at least 150 square feet per person area towards open spaces — to act as spaces for cultural learning. On structure and design, she offers, “Smart cities will be built using smart material (nanotechnology-based) and smart design (such as reflective paints) to reduce the cost of construction and maintenance.” There is at least one university and highly specialised research centre in the smart city which is linked to the core economic activity of the city, she adds.
On combating the challenges that come with building smart cities, Agendra Kumar, President, ESRI India, a Geographic Information System (GIS) software and solutions provider, says, “One needs to pick one or two areas and make them ‘smart’ rather than try to address all the areas at the same time. To elaborate, India may decide to pick four cities and transform the traffic management and transportation; pick another four and address issues of water distribution, and waste management; pick another set and implement smart public safety and smart health care. This approach will allow the government to make a positive impact on the quality of life of the residents of these cities in a shorter time without causing much disruption. The experience gained from these implementations will be valuable when the same issue is addressed in other cities.”
On the scope of opportunities for graduates, Goutham says, “Studying Smart City Planning and Management will give rise to a plethora of lucrative and satisfying career opportunities. Managing development of affordable housing, regenerating socially-deprived areas, nature conservation, reviving historic buildings, traffic management and new-age transport solutions need people.” Details at www.marggroup.com.
— shilpa.vasudevan@newindianexpress.com