How To Build Smart Cities Successfully?

The government's Smart Cities Mission, under which it plans to significantly modify the basic infrastructure of 100 cities, is expected to change the way cities operate today. While government agencies are making their best efforts to make the mission a success, what could be the key to achieve this task?

First things first; the most successful smart cities across the world achieve five key things:

Feeling at ease: In smart cities, basic systems need to provide high quality services that are easily available to its citizens.

Divided among equals: A successful smart city should provide access to services to every citizen in equal proportions.

Stay original: While being modern, a smart city also has to keep its basic character alive.

Ready for action: A smart city and its infrastructure, economies and social structures are always ready to fight any natural calamities or emergencies.

Happy to be in: A smart city must pleasure its citizens. It should be places we really want to be rather than places we have to be.

Apart from above mentioned five key things, there are three important pillars that will make smart cities stand-out from the other cities.

The technology

A smart city uses an integrated Information and Communications Technology (ICT) system to improve efficiency, manage difficulty, and improve quality of living. This will lead to sustainable development in city operations. A smartphone dispersion, the GPS technology, telematics and fast bandwidth systems are the technological keys to smart city programmes. These technologies are needed to connect citizens, businesses and the government.

The transportation

Transportation plays an important role in any smart city programme. The aim of smart transportation is to help people move around and use the well-organised public transportation system more than personal vehicles. Like as we all know, Uber and Ola Cabs are quite successful in India. It means that Indian consumers want a changing system in daily transportation and they are ready to welcome transformations for betterment.

The internet

Internet of Things (IoT) again plays a dynamic role in building smart cities. In the coming years, it will bring about significant changes as it is already signaling transformation across industries. The possibility and potential of IoT is huge and it can help individuals, businesses and the society on a day-to-day basis.

The challenges

Like other large-scale infrastructural programmes, there would be chanllenges in implementing the Smart Cities Mission, too.

These issues may often get complex and difficult to handle and the success of the mission would depend on how effectively the government and its various agencies deal with them. The main challenge implementing the Smart Cities Mission may include:

• Contract implementation

• Environmental approvals

• Land acquisition, and

• Permit and procurement processes