Q. Present-day government is trying to develop smart cities in different States. What are your visions about smart cities? Elucidate the role of science and technology in the development of ideal smart cities. (64 BPSC/2018)
Ans:
Smart cities:
- A smart city is an urban area that uses different types of electronic Internet of things (IoT) sensors to collect data and then use insights gained from that data to manage assets, resources and services efficiently, in return using that data to better improve the operations across the city.
- This includes data collected from citizens, devices, buildings and assets that is processed and analyzed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, utilities, water supply networks, waste management, crime detection, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services.
- The smart city concept integrates information and communication technology (ICT), and various physical devices connected to the IoT network to optimize the efficiency of city operations and services and connect to citizens.
- Smart city technology allows city officials to interact directly with both community and city infrastructure and to monitor what is happening in the city and how the city is evolving.
- ICT is used to enhance quality, performance and interactivity of urban services, to reduce costs and resource consumption and to increase contact between citizens and government.
- However, the term itself remains unclear to its specifics and therefore, open to many interpretations.
- Major technological, economic and environmental changes have generated increased interest in smart cities, including climate change, economic restructuring, coronavirus, the move to online retail and entertainment, ageing populations, urban population growth and pressures on public finances.
- National Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Government of India with the mission to develop smart cities across the country, making them citizen friendly and sustainable.
- The mission initially included 100 cities, with the deadline for completion of the projects set between 2019 and 2023.
- Smart Cities Mission envisions developing an area within the cities in the country as model areas based on an area development plan, which is expected to have a rub-off effect on other parts of the city and nearby cities and towns.
- Each city creates a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), headed by a full-time CEO, to implement the Smart Cities Mission. Centre and state government will provide ₹1,000 crore funding to the company, as equal contribution of ₹500 crore each.
- From Bihar, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Biharsharif, Patna has been nominated.
Visions about smart cities:
- Safe road and traffic-> no pothole and broken road.
- No slum areas.
- Equity, justice,
- safety of women,
- Participation of people in planning, implementation and monitoring phases.
- Disable friendly,
- clean and green cities,
- Proper health, education and entertainment infrastructure
- Accountable and citizen friendly official and representative,
- Technologically skilled people,
- Data driven evidence based policy making
- efficient workforce with decent work available,
- Sanitation and clean drinking water,
- carbon neutral cities,
- No poverty and no hunger,
- Waste management and recycling
- Peoples’s police rather than ruler;s police,
- Protecting citizen privacy.
The role of science and technology in the development of ideal smart cities
- ICT to collect and disseminate data.
- Sensors, CCTV etc can be used
- S&T for modernization of police force,
- Satellite for communication and area monitoring
- GPS system for traffic management
- Social media platform for awareness creation, citizen participation
- Use of biotechnology for greenery, health improvement, waste management etc
- IOT for automation and efficiency
- Data analytics, artificial intellience efficient use of data
- Cyber security to ensure data privacy,
- Technology for planning and construction of road and and cleaning sewers e.g. use of robot
- Adequate draining system to ensure that rains don’t cause flood in the cities etc
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