"The reinvention of India’s cities needs to recognise our need for resilience, utilising high-tech, smart monitoring devices and low-tech techniques to adapt to climate change and short-term natural, security and financial shocks”
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Inclusive cities: At the same time, our smart cities need to be inclusive. They need to give profound attention to social inclusion of the poor and vulnerable. Internet access is highly important to the future economic success of businesses and households. Providing broadband at subsidised rates through high upfront investment could help drive a knowledge economy. Consider Barcelona, whose focus on shifting public services to the cloud has resulted in online payroll receipts and significant cost savings. Its Open Data BCN initiative offers hundreds of routinely updated city indicators detailing how its governance is focused on inclusion. With such accountable and efficient government in place, citizens can expect personalised welfare schemes and automated public services. Opportunities for simple bribery are significantly limited.
We need more accountable democracy at the local level with an educated and responsive citizenry. Participation needs to be fostered through online petition schemes to the local municipal government, democratisation of decision-making about public services and open deliberations over proposed service changes to welfare and utility provisions. Smart rebuilding or regeneration of city landscapes into affordable housing can revive economic activity in deprived areas. Education for adults can be given a boost through online learning platforms, enabling workers to be trained for 21st century opportunities. With our cities seeking to convert scarce resources into growth, a greater focus on tourism, environmental conservation and sustainable development is a must. Smarter cities, whether newly built or incrementally improved, are a must.1
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- 1. The writer is a BJP Lok Sabha MP and a national general secretary of the party