Smart Cities & Urbanisation Trends
🟠 Topic 38: Smart Cities & Urbanisation Trends
📌 Introduction
Urbanisation is a defining trend in India’s development journey. With over 35% of the population residing in urban areas (2023), cities are becoming the engines of economic growth. However, unplanned urbanisation has led to infrastructure deficits, traffic congestion, pollution, and housing shortages. To tackle these challenges and promote sustainable urban development, the Government launched the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in 2015.
🔹 What is Urbanisation? 🌆
📖 Definition
Urbanisation refers to the increasing proportion of population living in urban areas, driven by:
1️⃣ Rural-to-urban migration.
2️⃣ Natural population growth in cities.
3️⃣ Expansion of urban boundaries.
📊 Urbanisation Trends in India
| Indicator | Value (2023) |
|---|---|
| Urban Population | ~500 million (35% of total) |
| Projected Urban Population (2050) | ~50% |
| Largest Urban Agglomerations | Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru |
🔎 Drivers of Urbanisation
1️⃣ Economic Opportunities – Higher wages, better jobs in cities.
2️⃣ Infrastructure Development – Roads, airports, industrial clusters attracting migration.
3️⃣ Education & Health Services – Better access to education, healthcare in urban areas.
4️⃣ Agrarian Distress – Rural push factors (low farm incomes, climate change).
5️⃣ Digital Economy – Tech-driven jobs concentrated in urban hubs.
🔹 Challenges of Urbanisation
1️⃣ Infrastructure Deficit
- Overcrowded roads, inadequate public transport.
- Water supply, sewage treatment stretched beyond capacity.
2️⃣ Affordable Housing Shortage
- Slums and informal settlements house 1/3rd of urban population.
- Urban housing shortage ~18 million units.
3️⃣ Pollution & Environmental Degradation
- Air pollution at hazardous levels in cities like Delhi.
- Solid waste mismanagement, untreated sewage pollutes rivers.
4️⃣ Urban Governance Issues
- Fragmented governance across municipal corporations, development authorities.
- Weak municipal finances, over-reliance on state and central transfers.
5️⃣ Social Inequality
- Urban-rural divide in access to services and opportunities.
- Vulnerable sections (migrants, slum dwellers) face exclusion.
🔹 What is the Smart Cities Mission? 🏙️
📖 Definition
Launched in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) aims to promote sustainable and inclusive urban development by leveraging technology and innovation to enhance quality of life.
Key Objectives
✔️ Enhance urban living standards through better infrastructure and services.
✔️ Ensure sustainable urbanisation with green solutions.
✔️ Use technology for governance and service delivery.
✔️ Foster citizen participation in urban planning.
Key Features of Smart Cities
| Component | Example |
|---|---|
| Smart Governance | E-governance, grievance redressal apps |
| Smart Mobility | Intelligent traffic management, EV charging stations |
| Smart Environment | Solar power, waste-to-energy plants |
| Smart Living | Public Wi-Fi, online healthcare services |
| Smart Economy | Innovation hubs, startup incubation centres |
Selection Process – Smart Cities Challenge
- Cities competed based on: ✔️ Vision and strategy. ✔️ Innovative area-based development proposals. ✔️ Feasibility and citizen engagement.
Total Smart Cities Selected
- 100 Smart Cities across 5 years.
Financing Pattern
| Source | Share |
|---|---|
| Central Assistance | ₹48,000 crore |
| State & ULB Contribution | ₹50,000 crore |
| Private Sector (PPP) | Variable, project-specific |
🔹 Types of Development Under Smart Cities
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Area-Based Development (ABD) | Retrofitting, redevelopment, greenfield projects |
| Pan-City Solutions | Intelligent traffic management, integrated command centres |
Technological Focus Areas
| Technology | Use Case |
|---|---|
| IoT Sensors | Smart water meters, pollution monitoring |
| GIS Mapping | Real-time urban planning |
| Command & Control Centres | Centralised monitoring (traffic, water, power) |
| Public Wi-Fi | Smart mobility apps, citizen services |
Smart City Best Practices – Indore
- Smart Waste Management – GPS-enabled garbage trucks.
- Public Participation – Swachh Survekshan campaigns.
- Smart Mobility – Integrated transport apps.
Achievements of Smart Cities Mission (2023)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Projects Completed | ~7,500 |
| Total Investment | ~₹1.7 lakh crore |
| Cities with Integrated Command Centres | 75+ |
🔹 Other Urban Missions Complementing Smart Cities
| Mission | Objective |
|---|---|
| AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) | Water, sewage, transport in 500 cities |
| PMAY-U (Housing for All) | Affordable housing for urban poor |
| Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban | Solid waste management, ODF cities |
| National Urban Transport Policy | Sustainable urban mobility |
🔹 Challenges in Smart Cities Implementation
1️⃣ Financing Gaps
- Limited private sector investment.
- High dependence on government grants.
2️⃣ Capacity Constraints
- Weak urban local bodies (ULBs).
- Shortage of urban planners, smart city experts.
3️⃣ Citizen Participation
- Limited awareness and consultation.
- Many projects driven top-down, not community-centric.
4️⃣ Technological Silos
- Lack of interoperability between various smart systems.
- Data management and cybersecurity risks.
5️⃣ Sustainability Concerns
- Balancing technology with environmental sustainability.
- Smart city focus in Tier-1 cities, neglecting smaller towns.
🔹 Way Forward
1️⃣ Strengthen ULBs – Enhance financial autonomy and technical capacity.
2️⃣ Integrated Urban Planning – Link smart city projects with regional development plans.
3️⃣ Inclusive Development – Prioritize affordable housing, slum rehabilitation.
4️⃣ PPP Models – Encourage private sector participation in smart infrastructure.
5️⃣ Resilient Urban Planning – Focus on climate resilience, disaster preparedness.
📚 Practice MCQ
1️⃣ Consider the following statements regarding Smart Cities Mission:
- It aims to develop 100 smart cities across India.
- It focuses on both area-based and pan-city solutions.
- The mission is fully funded by the central government.
Which of the above statements are correct?
✅ Options:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
2️⃣ Which urban development program focuses specifically on urban water supply, sewage, and drainage systems?
✅ Options:
(a) Smart Cities Mission
(b) AMRUT
(c) PMAY-U
(d) HRIDAY
3️⃣ Which technology is commonly used in smart cities for monitoring traffic and public safety?
✅ Options:
(a) Blockchain
(b) GIS Mapping
(c) Virtual Reality
(d) Bioengineering
