With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme’. (200 words)

Rapid urbanisation has produced opportunities alongside congestion, pollution, weak services, informal housing and unequal access to infrastructure.

Programme goals

• The Smart Cities Mission seeks better core infrastructure, sustainable services, liveability, economic growth and inclusive governance.
• It emphasises water, sanitation, mobility, housing, energy, safety, digital services and resilient public spaces.

Implementation

• Area-Based Development combines retrofitting, redevelopment and greenfield development with pan-city technology solutions.
• Special Purpose Vehicles coordinate projects, while competitive selection and convergence leverage public and private finance.
• Citizen participation, open data and outcome monitoring are essential to prevent technology-led exclusion.

Keywords: urbanisation, liveability, Area-Based Development, pan-city solutions, SPV, ICT, inclusiveness.