Research Paper on How to Make Cities "Smart"

Here is a research paper on "How to make Traditional Cities Smart. The paper was published in the E3S Web Conf, Volume 170, 2020, 6th International Conference on Energy and City of the Future (EVF’2019)

E3S Web of Conferences, Article No.06013, City and Building of the Future Section, published online on 28 May 2020 URL Link: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202017006013

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to discuss the challenges of transforming ‘Traditional’ cities to ‘Smart Cities’ and the tools that can be used to transform ‘Traditional’ cities to ‘Smart’ cities in the Indian Context. In this context, this paper discusses the expectations and goals of the Smart City India Mission for the 100 Smart cities, the existing scenario of the ‘Traditional’ cities, the current status of the Smart cities in India and concludes that ‘Traditional’ cities can become ‘Smart’ by developing a base line scenario and developing a ‘Road Map’ to become ‘Smart’. The ‘Road Map’ must consist of the following four stages: Assessment, Vision, Project Plan and Metrics.

Link to the full research paper:

https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2020/30/e3sconf_evf2020_06013.pdf

Laxmi Nagaraj, Urban Planner & Architect/Consultant

Balabrooie? Not again.

Letter to Hon CM on the Balabrooie Reprise.

22nd September 2021

The Hon Chief Minister

State of Karnataka

Vidhana Soudha

Bangalore 560001

Dear Sir:

Ref: Discussion on the proposed Constitution Club at Balabrooie

From recent press reports we understand that a small group is once again revisiting the decision to have a Constitution Club at Balabrooie. As you aware this conversation has been in progress from 2004 and at every point the citizens have been collectively & vocally outraged about heritage properties being converted into clubs etc. Other areas like Carlton House have also been mooted and have been resisted by citizens.

Therefore the sudden revival of Constitution Club discussion and its location at Balabrooie caught us by surprise, if not dismay and shock . While we are respectful of the points that you have raised we would also like to draw your attention the fact that a space was already identified and initial plans made somewhere near Kumar Krupa or Cauvery near the Windsor Manor circle. Therefore this discussion has got citizens like us who are very concerned about heritage, completely by surprise. We do know that's you have the heritage interests of the city at heart and also value the concerns of citizens and civil society on this matter.

We therefore request you to please reconsider this decision and ensure that heritage properties like this are restored observed without being altered renovated and trees removed to make way for a class structure. Government undoubtedly will take its role of safeguarding city heritage – and we certainly do not want to hear any charges of the fence eating the crop etc. We know that you will support the voice of citizens like ours and we look forward do your kind confirmation on the same.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Press Clippings of interest:

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/opposition-raised-to-constitution-club-proposed-at-balabrooie/article36849008.ece

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/balabrooie-set-to-be-constitution-club/articleshow/86764355.cms

• https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/TI6dF4zYRwF6yrJFwDBTSL/Lessons-from-the-Balabrooie-brouhaha.html

• https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/what-you-protect-protects-you/articleshow/74956543.cms

• https://www.deccanherald.com/state/plan-to-convert-balabrooie-guest-house-into-club-irks-heritage-buffs-1037372.html

• https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2021/oct/05/bengalurus-biggest-water-tower-faces-threat-of-losing-tree-cover-2367700.amp

• https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/karnataka-government-wants-iconic-balaboorie-guest-house-converted-into-constitution-club-1861028-2021-10-05

Ideas on a heritage framework

Creating a sustainable heritage workbook for Hb #HeritageBeku

Note on the team:

1. Prof Vasavada should Mentor it although we can do the hard work.

2. The team should be handpicked with the goal of conceptually helping the owner/ client to have a valid reuse strategy in place for tbe work.

3. There should be a masterplan of the old properties or architecturally important works in the multiple histories of the city.

4. These histories can be made alive by creating cultural habits of Heritage Beku walks.

5. Wherever possible by way of sponsorship we should have unusual formats for Museum display of some of these for Walkers to discover on walking trails .

6. This team should also be able.to help those working on projects to have a support backbone especially if certain projects need Govt clout.

7. The team should be able to liaise with the Govt Influencer team in Heritage Beku to make proposals to conserve or reuse ( even if a non-building) if there is a suggestion.

8. Private bodies or parties should be able.to approach the team if there is anything on their site that they would like to conserve IF relevant from the city history point of view.

It is vital not to overlap the scope of other heritage bodies in the city but rather have a unique role (so the above list I have put down may need to be evaluated from this perspective. )

Thinking aloud by

Nisha Mathew Ghosh