Recently Government of India has declared their intention to plan and develop 100 new cities across India. The country has already more than 30% of Urban growth and looking at the financial status and possible investment policies of new central government, this project seems to be an opportunity for the country's economic development. But we are not yet clear about the idea and the town planning baseline parameters on which the government can fulfill this project. What will be the factors of consideration to plan and develop a new city in the country as well as for the 100 new ones?
Hi, that is a tremendous challenge - and while I don't have a direct answer, maybe it is helpful to look at what other countries with high urbanization pressure have done so far. In that regard, I can recommend Dieter Hassenpflug's "The Urban Code of China". Cheers!
100 new cities may be more than 100 new parameters. sustainability should be key basis. It should not be builder oriented rather society, economic and environment should be playing key role.
I think that planning in the middle of a changing process such as India is experimenting is a useless exercise. I think it is more usefull to plan the change. I mean, making plans including triggering options, and many ways to adminisrate the changes an not contemplated needs and problems the facts will be presenting.
my immediate thought is for such issues to be considered at a specially convened meeting of the various planning schools in India. There is a similar meeting in Mysore November 20-22 to consider urban and regional planning education in India: maybe this topic could be raised for a session there, one to be followed up more fully later.
My second thought is in Australia we have a biannual State of Australian Cities conference designed to bring academics, practitioners and politicians together: this could a model for a similar conference series in India.
My third initial thought is not to rush in with half-baked plans (I am currently reading Aravind Adiga's Last Man in the Tower that I suspect is partly about such rushed, counter-productive 'plans')
Institute of Town Planners, India has already started thinking about this big project. This would be one of the biggest development projects of the world. Already Government has planned for model cities and model villages in India. One of the model smart city has been designed in Gandhinagar, Gujarat named GIFT city. This model ultra smart city will include all the futuristic sustainable infrastructure. Whereas, Indian Govt has already declared numbers of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and Special Investment Regions (SIR) and prepared the necessary Legislation too. All these are going with good direction. But still the baseline of the thinking is not clear for us. Are those cities going to be consumer oriented or Production oriented? Are those cities will be compact smart or inclusive of all because the country has a diversified range of economy among the citizens and Government can't allow only elite class to look after a city.
Are these 100 new cities or the project is about redeveloping 100 old town. I hope it the second option.
Probably yes. But still there are several other options like SIR and SEZ are also included.
I think it is important in this instance to select the correct models. Unfortunately there aren´t enough proven models around the world. There are many new experiencies but nothing more. If I where you I would develope a model, make a sample from an existing city, maybe someone taken as a testing case, there you may see what variables you have to improove, and then replicate it in the model. From there you may extract the initiatives, and a possible road map to improove the ratings. One important thing is that is very different if you want to work in an existing city or in a totally new one. I don´t recommend in general this case. I think a smart city has to be made from an existing community. I have published in this site a proposal for a smart city model. Take a loopk and tell me.
Sarma:
I suggest the German model as inspiration. The story is diverse. But, strong bases were implemented with a common goal. The location identity is unique. However, the theory of reconstruction and construction overlap. Studying 100 or 1000 parameters can be very eloquent. But to walk forward, just one step at a time.
Dear,
I agree with colleagues Ravindra and Yansui: the basic parameters are environment, population, development / economy and resources.
Prioritize social inclusion, access to sanitation, energy, telecommunications, transport, education, health, recreation and solid waste treatment.
Think about the basic parameters of urbanism: zoning, social housing policies, to structure the real estate market and employment centers.
It is a great challenge but also a chance to create better cities.
Regards,
Vanessa
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