How realistic is India ' s Smart Cities Mission?

Indians living in cities is estimated to reach upwards of 40 % by 2030. The urban population would be about 600 million people at that point. It is further estimated that the number of cities with populations of a million or more are likely to double in that time.

Urbanization is increasing at a rapid pace, and currently about 30- 33 % of Indians live in cities. This is estimated to reach upwards of 40 % by 2030. The urban population would be about 600 million people at that point. It is further estimated that the number of cities with populations of a million or more are likely to double in that time.

A large component of this urbanization would in the form of migration to the existing cities, which would expand and grow in size.

Unfortunately, most Indian cities are currently decidedly challenged in terms of infrastructure, and their inhabitants ' access to basic services continues to be poor. An increase in urbanization will result in more stress and breakdown of these cities; quality of life there will deteriorate. To be able to continue with the required momentum, it is expected that India would need at least 100 new cities over the next 10 years.

These cities would essentially be Greenfield( built from scratch) entities adjacent to existing cities, and developed and dependent on the existing cities. These Greenfield cities will be built around economic drivers like industries and industrial clusters, SEZs, transport nodes and satellite or intermediate cities.

Over the next few years, India is going to see a fair share of such Greenfield cities. One envisages that these cities will be developed in a structured manner and built for the future- in other words, they will be future-ready. They should have adequate control on their natural resources, and will need high-grade urban planning.

The dynamic changes in physical, economic and technological environments across the globe have resulted in cities using smart elements to improve the quality of life of their citizens and provide superior services to businesses.

Smart cities provide a high level of livability, work environment and sustainability to their residents through superior urban planning

November 2016 46 www. smartgovernance. in

My first Magazine Smart Governance | Page 46

How realistic is India ' s Smart Cities Mission?

Indians living in cities is estimated to reach upwards of 40 % by 2030. The urban population would be about 600 million people at that point. It is further estimated that the number of cities with populations of a million or more are likely to double in that time.