Smart Cities is the future

Dr. B.K. Modi 

A report on the global market opportunities and future smart cities recently highlighted how technology could change lives and provide economic benefits. The smart cities industry will be worth more than $400bn globally by 2020 and Indian government plans to inject smart technology into cities that are home to between 500,000 and one million people, an ambition that goes hand in hand with seven other smart-city projects already underway.

A city can be defined as smart when investments in human and social capital and traditional (transport) and modern (ICT) communication infrastructure fuel sustainable economic development and a high quality of life, with a wise management of natural resources, through participatory action and engagement. The smart city concept essentially means efficiency. But efficiency is based on intelligent management and integrated Information and Communication Technologies, and active citizen participation. It insists that smart cities are defined by their innovation and their ability to solve problems and use of technology to improve this capacity.

The concept of the smart city has been introduced as a strategic device to encompass modern urban production factors in a common framework and to highlight the growing importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), social and environmental capital in profiling the competitiveness of cities. The significance of these two assets - social and environmental capital - itself goes a long way to distinguish smart cities from their more technology-laden counterparts, drawing a clear line between them and what goes under the name of either digital or intelligent cities.

Smart City Rampur

I believe that the world is becoming smart and productive by using technological innovations in various areas. Hence there is a need to introduce smart technologies and services in India and more importantly in the tier 2 and 3 cities.

Smart City in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh has been launched with an aim to harness technology and urban infrastructure to offer better living conditions and new forms of technological development through their fusion. This unique project will provide all residents of the smart city with high speed internet and live services and information. The project shall also offer multiple outlets for the local youth to explore entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.

Smart City in Rampur aims to make the whole system smarter. This will not only generate employment for residents but also create opportunities for the youth to leverage the potential of internet for education, entrepreneurship, entertainment etc. It will be developed in a phased manner and intends to offer seamless and hassle free services to children, youth, businesspersons and tourists to offer new forms of quality life to all.

Smart Global has planned to make an initial investment of Rs 500 Cr in establishing this Smart City. While technology will play the anchor role, we will further invest and include strategic partners at a suitable time for expansion of the smart city. Wi-Fi services were installed in the entire campus of Dayavati Modi Academy in Rampur last year in September 2013. With a long term aim to make the school ‘Bagless’ and to enable students to explore beyond curriculum and expand their horizon, students and teachers were given tablets to experience the power and potential of technology.

Smarter technology coupled with focused policies and infrastructure will build India as a smart country.

The author is chairman, Smart Global