How the government plans to make smart cities

Bakul Gupta, a software engineer by profession and working in Delhi for the last five years has been researching for a right property for a long time now. Of late, developers have been cashing in on the word ‘Smart’. Everything, from phones to television to townships are ‘Smart’ today.

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What are ‘Smart Cities’? Integrated townships spread over acres or projects that promote a walk-to-work culture or smart homes with intelligent and energy saving lighting? Before developers and buyers buy or sell the idea of ‘Smart’, here’s what the Ministry of Urban Development has to benchmark Smart Cities as…

Transport: The focus is to ensure that maximum travel time in small and medium size cities shouldn’t exceed 30 minutes and 45 minutes in metropolitan cities. In a survey undertaken by Magicbricks, 46 per cent of the buying population said they would want to buy a property which is not more than 30 minutes from their workplace.

Government’s focus seems to be in the right direction. Other provisions include unobstructed footpath of minimum 2 m width on either side, dedicated and segregated bicycle tracks, high quality and frequent mass transport within 15 minutes of walking distance and access to para-transit within walking distance.

Spatial Planning: As per plans, 95 per cent residences should have retail, parks, primary schools and recreational areas within walking distance. Similarly, work areas, public and institutional service areas should be in proximity. In each transit oriented development zone, 20 per cent of residential units should be occupied by the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Water supply: If the plans actualise, buyers can celebrate the possibility of abundant water supply throughout the day with 135 litre per capita supply of water. Government also seeks to ensure 100 per cent metering and efficiency in related charges.

Goals seem to be ambitious even in the case of sewerage and sanitation, solid waste management, storm water drainage and electricity. Allied focus areas include telephone connections, wi-fi connectivity, fire-fighting and health care facilities. Also, use of renewable energy, solar panels, green building norms, common ducting, 3D maps on GIS of property and ensuring parking standards are some of the basics.

Kaustav Ansari of Ansari Properties says, “Today, developers are selling brochures. The more it says ‘Smart’, chances of luring a buyer increases. The government is still in the planning stage but if plans work out, the contours of a Smart City would be a better model to explain what smart actually is.”

“The biggest hurdle that the entire real estate sector will face in 2015 is related to land - the very foundation of all real estate. The finite and all important commodity of land is caught in a regulatory stranglehold that we hope to finally see loosened in 2015 – especially given the incumbent government’s vision of establishing 100 Smart Cities, which gives rise to serious questions about feasibility,” says Anuj Puri, Chairman and Country Head, Jones Lang La Salle.

“In the manner that the new government has envisaged, these Smart Cities will essentially be brand new municipalities on the peripheries of our major cities,” adds Puri.

Source: content.magicbricks.com/industry-news/delhi-ncr-real-estate-news/how-the-government-plans-to-make-smart-cities/79994.html