By Arpita Mishra
Introduction:
The City as a Living Ecosystem-
In the 21st century, cities are no longer just places where people live and work; they are dynamic ecosystems that reflect how humanity interacts with the planet. With urban populations rising sharply, projected to reach 600 million in India by 2036 (according to Census & NITI Aayog data), the challenge is no longer just about growth, but about achieving sustainable growth.
Across India, from Bhubaneswar to Indore, Surat to Pune, cities are reimagining themselves through the lens of technology and sustainability. The government’s Smart Cities Mission (2015) was launched to make urban spaces more efficient, inclusive, and environmentally balanced. But beyond infrastructure and apps, the real transformation lies in how technology is helping citizens lead greener, cleaner, and smarter lives.
As The Hindu (August 2024) = “Technology in cities must not only connect devices, but also connect communities.” This vision, where innovation meets inclusion, is at the heart of India’s green urban revolution.
1. The Smart City Vision: Beyond Concrete and Code:-
India’s Smart Cities Mission (SCM) covers 100 cities, aiming to promote sustainable and citizen-friendly urbanization through technology. But what truly makes a city smart?
Not just digital dashboards and Wi-Fi poles ,but how technology improves air quality, reduces waste, enhances mobility, and preserves public health.
For example:-
1. Bhubaneswar, ranked among India’s top smart cities, integrated its public transport system with digital tracking and solar-powered e-buses.
2. Indore, India’s cleanest city (Swachh Survekshan, 2024), uses IoT-based waste management and data-driven recycling programs.
3. Pune Smart City Development Corporation has set up smart water meters that track consumption and prevent wastage in real time.
These are not just upgrades they are steps toward a digital environmental consciousness, where governance aligns with sustainability.
2. Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecology :-
Technology alone cannot make a city sustainable; it must complement nature-based solutions.
A truly smart city recognizes that trees, parks, wetlands, and rivers are as vital as sensors and servers.
For instance:-
1. Hyderabad’s “Haritha Haram” initiative integrates satellite mapping with community tree planting, increasing green cover by 6%.
2. Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront Project combines flood control with a rejuvenated public space model — now monitored via AI-based water quality sensors.
3. Bengaluru, once known as India’s “Garden City,” is now deploying GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to reclaim and manage its vanishing lakes.
Urban ecology powered by technology represents what The Indian Express (June 2024) called “the digital roots of a green revolution” — where technology helps heal rather than harm nature.
3. Data, Design, and Democracy: The Role of E-Governance :-
The Constitution of India, under Article 243W, empowers local bodies to plan for economic and social development and e-governance is making this participatory.
Digital platforms enable citizens to directly engage with governance, aligning with the constitutional ideal of decentralization.
Smart City Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) in 80+ cities integrate data from traffic, waste, and weather systems allowing real-time decision-making.
Citizen feedback apps like MyGov, Swachhata App, and Amrut Dashboard enable direct grievance redressal, strengthening democracy.
The Open Data India Platform makes civic data accessible, fostering transparency and innovation.
These tools not only enhance efficiency but also embody Article 51A(g) — the fundamental duty of every citizen “to protect and improve the natural environment.”
4. Mobility for a Sustainable Future :-
Urban transport is both a challenge and an opportunity.
According to The Hindu (October 2023), urban transport accounts for 23% of India’s carbon emissions. Smart mobility, therefore, is key to achieving India’s net-zero target by 2070.
Examples of progress include:
Delhi Metro’s solar energy integration, making it the world’s first 100% green-certified metro network.
Kochi Water Metro, a unique hybrid electric ferry system promoting sustainable water transport.
Bengaluru’s EV public bus fleet, part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
Jaipur’s public cycle-sharing system, monitored digitally to promote zero-emission transport.
Digital apps for carpooling, EV charging networks, and real-time traffic management all contribute to a sustainable mobility ecosystem, one where convenience meets conscience.
5. Smart Waste, Clean Energy: The Digital Circular Economy :-
A clean city is a smart city and today’s clean cities are increasingly tech-powered.
Through AI, IoT, and data-driven tracking, cities are minimizing waste and maximizing recycling.
1. Indore, as reported by Indian Express (April 2024), uses GPS-tagged bins, facial-recognition attendance for sanitation workers, and biogas plants that convert waste into energy.
2. Pune’s waste-to-compost units and Chandigarh’s solar rooftops showcase a circular model of reuse and regeneration.
3. Surat’s energy-efficient street lighting has reduced electricity use by 45%.
Under the Clean Energy Revolution, India has emerged as the world’s third-largest solar power generator (IEA 2024). Initiatives like:
• National Solar Mission
• PM-KUSUM (for solarizing agriculture)
• Renewable Energy Parks in Gujarat and Rajasthan
are changing how cities and villages source their power — lighting homes with the promise of sustainability.
6. Global Parallels: Learning from the World :-
The concept of smart and sustainable cities is global.
India’s model, while unique, resonates with international success stories:
1. Singapore uses real-time data integration to manage traffic and water use.
2. Copenhagen aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025.
3. Seoul has established “digital twins” — 3D virtual models of the city to plan greener infrastructure.
India’s participation in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities) ensures that its urban innovations align with global sustainability frameworks.
As The Hindu (March 2024) editorial noted, “India’s urban policy must think globally, act locally, and sustain ethically.”
7. Tech for Inclusion: Cities that Care:-
A truly sustainable city must be inclusive, ensuring that marginalized groups are not left behind in the digital revolution.
From gender-friendly urban design to accessibility apps for persons with disabilities, technology can make cities more compassionate.
Examples include:
1. Kerala’s Kudumbashree e-enterprises empowering women entrepreneurs.
2. Accessible India Campaign, using digital tools to improve mobility for differently-abled citizens.
3. Aadhaar-based welfare systems ensure clean, transparent access to subsidies and social schemes.
Digital inclusion reflects Article 14 (Equality before Law) and Article 21 (Right to Life) — interpreted by the Supreme Court as including the right to live with dignity and a clean environment.
8. The Youth as Urban Innovators :-
The future of India’s cities lies in the hands of its youth, India's demographic dividend and its greatest asset.
Across universities, hackathons, and startups, young innovators are designing tech for impact:
IIT Delhi’s Air Quality Monitors in public parks.
AgriTech drones developed by student-led startups in Tamil Nadu.
Smart waste segregation robots by engineering students in Bengaluru.
Through the Atal Innovation Mission and Digital India Initiative, youth are not just dreamers but doers, bridging the gap between technology and ecology.
As The Indian Express (July 2024) wrote, “India’s young coders are scripting climate solutions in real time.”
9. Challenges on the Road Ahead :-
Despite progress, challenges persist.
Urban inequality risks creating “islands of smartness” amid widespread underdevelopment.
Data privacy and cybersecurity issues threaten citizen trust.
E-waste from rapid digitization is a growing environmental threat.
To address these, urban policy must focus on ethical technology, citizen data rights, and green digital literacy.
As The Hindu’s editorial (October 2024) reminds us: “A sustainable city is one that empowers its people, not just its platforms.”
10. The Constitutional and Ethical Compass :-
India’s Constitution remains the moral compass for its technological journey.
Article 48A directs the State to protect the environment and improve ecological balance.
Article 51A(g) calls upon every citizen to do the same.
Together, they form the ethical foundation for all digital sustainability policies.
In this sense, technology is not just an instrument of growth, it is a means of fulfilling India’s constitutional duty to the planet.
Conclusion: The Smart City of Tomorrow :
The smart city of tomorrow will not be defined by skyscrapers or sensors, but by sensitivity to the earth, to people, and to the future.
Technology must become the bridge between progress and preservation, between speed and sustainability.
If used wisely, digital innovation can help India not just grow faster, but grow better greener streets, cleaner skies, empowered citizens, and connected communities.
As The Indian Express (Editorial, August 2024) concluded:
“The smartest city is the one that learns to live in harmony with its people, its past, and its planet.”
That, indeed, is the vision of a Greener, Smarter India where every byte of innovation carries a heartbeat of sustainability.
References :-
1. The Hindu, “Smart Cities and the Future of Urban Sustainability,” Editorial, August 2024.
2. The Indian Express, “Technology and Urban Ecology,” June 2024.
3. NITI Aayog, “India’s Urban Growth Report,” 2023.
4. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, “Smart Cities Mission Guidelines,” Government of India, 2024.
5. UN-Habitat, “SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities,” 2024 Update.
6. International Energy Agency (IEA), “India Energy Outlook,” 2024.
7. Swachh Survekshan Report, Ministry of Urban Affairs, 2024.
8. The Indian Express, “Youth and Climate Tech in India,” July 2024.
9. The Hindu, “Building Inclusive and Digital Cities,” October 2024.
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