Smart City: An Arm’s Length Away
Throughout history, from the discovery of fire to the invention of humanoid robots, man’s desire to make his life easier led to some of the most amazing discoveries and inventions. Inventions that helped eradicate a deadly disease, that helped in connecting different parts of the world and those that helped improve the standard of living shaped our lives, urging us to ask for more, smarter cities. In this quest for more comfort and ease, we find ourselves in a dilemma. How do we initiate the creation of smart cities?
Let us look back. In 1989, the European organization for nuclear research (CERN) introduced the World Wide Web software to the public. Initially, the technology was used by a select few. Then, over time , this technology went on to be one of the most revolutionary inventions of all time [1]. Smart cities too, are a revolutionary idea.
The concept of smart cities is not new to us. Infact, it might be one of the oldest ideas. We went on from living in nature, having minimal amenities to living in skyscrapers with the world at our fingertips. However, this progress has been limited to only a few sections of the society. The others still live in unhygienic conditions, sometimes even without food. Creation of more smart cities could be the solution we seek.
The process of creating smart cities must start with the provision of basic human amenities such as food, clean water and proper sanitation, shelter and clothing. According to the United Nations in India , there are approximately 195 million malnourished people in India [2]. This is one of the largest proportions of malnourished people in a single country. Though the Government of India has introduced numerous food security programmes, lack of proper management of the food stored makes it ineffective. There is no transport of food from regions of food surplus to regions of food scarcity. Therefore, large amounts of grains rot in storage barns while many parts of the country go hungry [3].
Availability of clean and potable water must be the next milestone. India , having a multitude of water bodies, has no dearth of availability of water per se. However, less than 50 percent of the population receive a safe and reliable water supply throughout the year. During the summer months there is an additional drop in attendance rates in school because the children along with the women are usually ‘in-charge’ of collecting water for the household. It is important to note the effect of a seemingly trivial matter on a child’s education and thereby the future of the country at large. Hence, it is no surprise that a safe and reliable water supply is considered as the backbone of a nation.[4]
Provision of housing facilities must be the next target. Lack of proper housing facilities can be construed as a reason for poverty and income inequality in India. Along with construction of houses for the poor, the access to proper sanitation must also be achieved by all. This could be done as a partnership program with NGOs or several International Unions. Campaigns could be organised and people could be urged towards donating to this goal. Proper implementation of the Affordable Rental Housing Complex Scheme established in 2020, can help reduce poverty in the face of the pandemic [5].
Research and development is the next sector that is to be improved. In 2017-18, India spent an estimated 0.7% of its GDP in the sector. However, this amount is quite less than that of several developing countries such as Russia or China [6]. More investment in this sector must be made to further the overall development of our nation. Students could also be encouraged to work in the research sector by providing awareness along with more opportunities. Providing small incentives to the people engaged in this Industry, other than merit scholarships, could also be done. Research industry holds an important place in the progress of a nation. For example, finding an alternate fuel source to replace fossil fuels has been a pressing matter. Suppose our nation finds an alternative. In such a case, the Government could alter its policies by lifting subsidies offered on fossil fuels and offering new ones on the alternative fuel. Research thus helps in conserving our environment.
More stress must be given to skill security. Skill security pertains to a situation in which there is no dearth of opportunities for gaining expertise in a wide variety of skills. The importance of skill security in development has been recognised by the Government in recent years. Even so, more citizens could be encouraged to take skill learning as a method to combat unemployment. Programs like Skill India Mission, established in 2015 by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims at ‘skilling’ over 40 crore Indians by 2022 [7], must be given more publicity to generate more public awareness about such programmes. The skill training could be provided for free and the students of these institutions could be made to work for the army for a stipulated period of time, say 2 years, as a mandatory internship. Working with the army would inculcate a certain discipline in them and they would gain work experience. Skill security is a slow but sure way to ensure prosperity in the nation.
In addition, the importance of research and development continues to grow as the nation progresses. Smart technology could be used to digitize Government offices. The possibilities of technology are endless. A common portal could be created for every public service. That is , the same portal could be used by a citizen to apply for a document, file a complaint, pay taxes and apply for renewal of documents. An integrated street lighting system could be installed. The system of Aadhaar [8],a unique identification number for each citizen, could be reinvented and used more effectively.
The steps above
would lead to the ultimate goal, creation of more smart cities. However, the
concept of smart cities is ever evolving. Therefore, we must provide a
mechanism for further growth. Education is the method by which we can achieve
this. Through education we are preparing the future generation to be the
torchbearers of progress. Suppose proper thrust is not given to education.
Then, our next generation would not know how to maintain what we have made nor
would they be able to create anything new. Our entire efforts would be wasted.
As of now 50 million children do not reach grade appropriate learning levels [9],
despite the efforts taken by the Government. Investment in higher education
must be made to make progress [10]. The Government could partner
with private companies or individuals to realise this goal.
Education does not imply mere bookish knowledge. Students must be taught to clean up after themselves and keep their surroundings clean from early ages. They could be taught how to reduce their material footprint and lead an environment friendly life. These matters should be given as much importance as academic performance of a student if not more. Further, parents could be urged to give a small amount of money to their children as pocket money. This way the students would be able to learn the importance of money management from a young age. These measures might seem trivial but these steps could go a long way in the progress of a society. These students would keep their nation clean and would be smart regarding money matters. Both of them are key components of development.
Being a developing lower-middle income country [11], India has to find a way to finance all these to bring about progress. Tourism can be viewed as a way to boost the economy. Development of tourist spots can be given a priority. Advertisements, campaigns and contests could be organised to improve tourism. Improving connectivity between places must also be a target in our plan.
That being said, no development could take place without the support of citizens. However, every citizen must be made aware of his rights and duties and his responsibility towards his nation and its development. With this step the maintenance of the proposed smart city will be much easier. Even though the Covid -19 pandemic created a necessity for more smart cities, many are still apprehensive of its disadvantages. Therefore, efforts must be made to popularize the idea among citizens. It might seem like an endless task but we must remember that no mountain is endless, some are just steeper than the others.
By,
NAMITHA SURESH
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