Smart City: Construction of Legitimacy
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 30 2015 -
The news that the Government of Manipur and Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) have begun seeking constructive suggestions from all in developing an Imphal Smart City Proposal is indeed a good move.
However, given the current state of affairs in the way how infrastructural initiatives have been handled by the authorities, one is not really sure how the suggestions provided by the citizens would translate into reality.
Despite the unending issues dogging the process of developing urban areas in Manipur, the Manipur Chief Secretary O Nabakishore has exhibited certain amount of new found optimism.
Perhaps, his confidence has been spurred by the fact that Imphal is one of the 98 (ninety-eight) Indian cities selected for Smart Cities Mission.
These 98 cities were selected through a competition called City Challenge Stage-I wherein more than 5,000 Indian cities participated.
However, the Chief Secretary is well aware that Imphal has to compete in the City Challenge Stage-II in order to be one of the 20 cities to be selected during the current financial year.
It is under this crucial stage, that Imphal has to produce a Smart City proposal incorporating two essential components - Pan-City Initiative/Feature and One Area Based Development.
If one looks at the requirements like e-Governance, waste management, water management, energy management etc that have a city-wide impact on the quality of each denizen’s life, it is not difficult to imagine the gigantic tasks ahead.
One onerous task would be replacement of an existing built-up area by dismantling and then co-creating and constructing a new layout with enhanced infrastructure using mixed land use and increased density. This should be of existing built up area within the municipal boundary.
Another key element is the development of Greenfield so as to introduce smart solutions in a previously vacant area using innovative planning with provision for affordable housing.
Working on the areas focused here are not as easy as it is made out to be. Perhaps the State Government and IMC are under pressure to go ahead with the proposal.
However, the fact that they have sought the suggestions of the people indicates that there is a necessity of undergoing a legitimization process with the hope that these suggestions will be considered.
Moreover, it will be easier for the State Government to stake claim to collective endeavor which has become a key component in the initiation of development in all democratic systems.
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