Dholera SIR - Smartest Cities of the World!!

Dholera SIR - Smartest Cities of the World!!

Smart cities have become the talk of the town with Mr. Modi announcing the creation of 100 smart cities in India within the next decade. News channels and papers are buzzing about its plan and development. But is it only about one country? Is the need for developing smart cities only India’s requirement, or is it a global necessity?

With the rapid rise in urbanization globally, it has become imperative to develop smart cities across continents. These cities should:

• Accommodate the rising population over a limited area

• Be technologically robust and high on infrastructure

• Facilitate faster communication

• Utilize greener energy

• Offer better healthcare and education systems

• Improve governance and regulatory frameworks

Most importantly, sustainability and competitiveness form the key elements of a smart city. Over 4.6 billion people are expected to dwell in urban areas, contributing to 58% of the world’s population. To accommodate this, proper planning and a transformation in city models are essential.

World’s 10 Smartest Cities Today

1. Vienna

• Holds the number one position due to substantial carbon reduction initiatives such as:

  • Smart Energy Vision 2050

  • Roadmap 2020

  • Action Plan 2012-2015

• Ranked among the top 10 cities for:

  • Innovation

  • Green living

  • Digital governance

  • Quality of life

2. Dholera SIR

• Set to be six times the size of Shanghai and attain smart megacity status by 2025

• Will become one of the world’s largest manufacturing hubs with high-class infrastructure

• Features:

  • Centralized digital control for water, power, gas, and traffic

  • Underground sensor systems reporting to a central control room

  • Key contractors: CISCO and IBM

  • Major developers: Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited (MLDL) and Nano Works Developer Gujarat Pvt Ltd

3. Toronto

• Named 2014 Intelligent Community of the Year

• Recognized for excellence in:

  • Academia

  • Private sector collaboration

  • Information and communication technology

• Known for its culture of:

  • Tolerance and diversity

  • Innovation and financial services

4. New Delhi

• Planned smart city covering 24,000 hectares

• Key initiatives:

  • Uninterrupted water and power supply

  • Green technology and renewable energy

  • City-wide Wi-Fi connectivity

  • Rainwater harvesting and state-of-the-art waste management

5. Paris

• One of Europe’s greenest and most livable cities

• Ranked high in:

  • Digital governance

  • Innovation

• Initiatives:

  • Velib: A successful bike-sharing program

  • Autolib: 250 rental stations launched recently

  • Future developments include residential towers with:

    • Photovoltaic and thermal shields for energy efficiency

    • Hydro-electric power generation using collected rainwater

6. New York

• Smart city initiatives include:

  • 24/7 interactive information programs

  • Uninterrupted Wi-Fi at major centers

• USD 20 billion Hudson Yard project:

  • Improves quality of life through digital tracking of:

    • Air quality

    • Traffic

    • Energy consumption

7. Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City)

• Financial city with a focus on the service sector

• Expected to generate 50,000 jobs in the next 2 years

• Key features:

  • 24/7 water and electricity supply

  • Pollution-free air

  • Advanced healthcare and education facilities

  • Sports and entertainment zones

8. Boston

• Leader in smart technology

• Home to Soofas:

  • Solar-powered benches that charge gadgets and monitor air quality

• Five government-developed applications help:

  • Locate on-street parking

  • Report real-time problems

  • Enhance civic engagement at zero additional cost

9. Tokyo

• Excels in innovation and digital advancements

• Upcoming developments:

  • Suburban smart city with:

    • Integrated solar panels

    • Storage batteries

    • Energy-efficient appliances connected to a smart grid

  • Smart mobility system for efficient transportation

10. San Francisco

• Offers three miles of free Wi-Fi on main roads

• Sustainability initiatives include:

  • Mandatory garbage segregation into:

    • Recycling

    • Compost

    • Landfill waste

  • Devices to track real-time energy consumption and suggest conservation methods

  • 100 charging stations to promote electric vehicle usage

Conclusion

Smart cities are essential for survival. Governments worldwide must act swiftly to develop and implement smart city strategies for a sustainable and healthy future.