To ‘Smart City’ -- from city ‘as it is’

By Kartik Lokhande 

Throughout the country, ‘Smart City’ concept has become a buzzword. Everyone in every other sector has his/her own notions about understanding of the concept. But, everyone is sure that implementation of the concept will change his/her city and make it ‘future-ready’. However, will the concept of ‘Smart City’ change the basic character, inherent culture and nature of a city? 

Air Vice Marshal (Retd) D K Pande, who has been working on ‘Smart City’ concept, feels that a city will have to be understood ‘as it is’ to transform it into a ‘smart’ city that is sustainable and liveable. 

For, every city is unique. AVM Pande, who is Vice-President (Government, Defence, and Aerospace) at Persistent Systems Limited, is clear about the concept of ‘Smart City’. The concept is all about making cities better-equipped with technology that could be used to deliver services to people in a more efficient and effective manner, and its ultimate goal is ‘smart governance’, Pande says. What has caught the fancy of political leaders, policy-makers, administrators, private sector, and non-political social leaders in various walks of life, is that the ‘Smart City’ concept involves creating and bringing utility services at finger-tips.

The former top Air Force officer is bubbling with energy, and is obviously inspired by the calling. He does not hurl statistics at you, nor does he appear staid as he reels out details of his research and effort to streamline the voluminous data that is flooding in. Of course, data does not come from every nook and corner. Many times, he has to coax the establishment or other agencies to share the data. And when the data comes, it is terribly corrupted because of the multifarious modes in which it is stored or keyed in. So begins the exercise of cleansing and curating the data and making it ready to be consumed by technology for ‘smart’ use, AVM Pande says, showing no sign of fatigue or disgust at the complex work at hand. 

Of course, there are other challenges apart from availability of right and correct data. Multiple audiences, rudimentary tools, regulatory requirements, confidentiality issues, lack of varying frame-works are some of these. These are to be overcome through proper analysis of the data and formulation of premises on which smart solutions could be offered. 

“The concept of ‘Smart City’ involves systematic study of available infrastructure, establish connectivity, create sensor-based infrastructure that could be used on smart devices, and deliver services to citizens in a more efficient and effective manner,” says AVM Pande, who is also Independent Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 

There are a lot many aspects involved in implementing the concept of ‘Smart City’. These range from better use of energy, solid waste disposal, revenue recovery, cost optimisation, creating newer economic opportunities, focus on healthcare, transport, and environment, etc. However, the prime objective is to enhance the quality of urban life. To achieve this objective, though a 100 cities across the country have been selected under the Mission, one has to keep in mind that every city is unique. “City-centricity is a must. To achieve this, there has to be a positive involvement of local citizens and leadership. For this purpose, the policy-makers have to reach out to the citizens with the dream, convince them in language understandable to them, and incorporate intuition in devising a strategy to get desired results,” Pande observes. 

Though every city is touched by technology today, the levels vary. And, this creates some unique infrastructure gaps for each city. In such a situation, how can these cities be converted into smart cities? The cities are divided into three categories depending upon the requirement and potential, says Pande. Some cities could be ‘retrofitted’, that is, existing infrastructure could be equipped with desired technology. Some cities can be ‘redeveloped’, while some could be placed in ‘greenfield’ category wherein an entirely new future-ready city would be developed without compromising on environment or any other smart factor. 

Pande, an expert in urban planning and governance, has identified nine verticals as part of ‘Smart City’ project. These include governance, water management, buildings, energy, transportation, health, environment, Information Technology and communication, and education. Of these, the most important is IT and communications. Because, these will be driving the development that will make other verticals ‘smart’. Preparing indices on health, commuting, sanitation etc for a city will help in formulating appropriate response for the identified verticals. 

Pande explains the concept using technological connect between health and transportation. “If an old lady requires medical care, she can use a device to talk to her doctor. If required, doctor can ask her to walk and watch it on video through the device, to arrive at a conclusion about the lady’s health. If the doctor feels that the lady needs to be checked at his clinic, he can arrange for an ambulance to be sent to her residence to pick her up and brought to the clinic. Thus, health and transportation could be connected to provide comfort to the old patient,” he explains. 

Further, a smart city must have in place a mechanism to ensure safety and security of citizens. Creation of location-based system can ensure it. For instance, Pande elaborates, if someone is in an emergency and there is option to use location-based system, he/she can dial a centralised number and immediate help will arrive for him/her. “In the United States, citizens dial 911 in case they require any help,” he adds. 

But, isn’t too much of dependence on technology is fraught with risks? 

Yes, agrees AVM Pande. But then, as technology keeps moving to the next generation, it also evolves safeguards as well. And when technology moves at such a smart pace, the people can only ill-afford to shun it. The best way of living in the changing technological culture is to adopt it and adapt to its ways, method and manner, he says, his eyes shining in excitement. 

And, this requires creating awareness among people about the concept of ‘Smart City’, preparing them for use of technologies, influencing the decision-makers positively, developing a collective will for success of the initiative, and shaping of public opinion for reorganisation of infrastructure, feels AVM Pande with an affable smile adorning his face. 

(03-09-15)