The definition of smart city varies from individual to individual. For some it’s the growth of technology and for some it’s living in nature’s lap. With the growing development, the change in the environment is inevitable. Smart city represents the interest of human as well as uplifts the spirit of nature. With the moving time, every species on earth are growing in an unprecedented way. It is very necessary to understand the complexities that are growing in the ecosystem. The technological advancements of humans are very important for the overall growth of human population, but in the pathway of doing it we are hampering nature as well as other species. Smart City is a solution and necessity in nowadays.
The below graph shows the rise in population in Bangalore:

[source: CGGE ]

 Smart city represents the unique combination of automation and green living. It talks of refinement of city through proper planning of putting unique elements to improve city strategy. Bangalore was once considered a green city but through time technological advancements and population growth have paved way in its environment friendly attributes. Smart city is the need of the hour. The graph below shows the growth of population in Bangalore.

For attaining a smart city, we have to keep in mind some important elements. A Smart city should have proper combination of certain elements and their perfect implementation for the effectiveness to be a successful model.

Architectural Design:

A city’s architectural design forms the basis of a foundation. A well planned design is highly essential for achieving the concept of smart city. It should reflect the immense growth of human race, withstanding less effect on ecosystem. The aim is to achieve certain architectural design without being dependent on nature. The houses and monuments should highlight sustainable development. Some common practises for achieving the concept of smart city are:

• Use of porotherm bricks: for natural comfort and weather control.
• Use of koramic tiles: for controlling excessive heat and high durability.
• Utilization of natural lights: for consuming energy and saving electricity.
• Natural ventilation system: smooth functioning of everyday living.
• Green home designs: for achieving sustainable living
• Use of landscapes and greeneries around the city: for maintain balance between man and nature

Waste Management:

The process of disposal, collection, transporting, and monitoring of waste materials are very important to achieve smart city. The wastes around the city can really hamper the ecosystem and every living thing around it. Proper implementation is needed for waste management, coming from daily uses as well as construction sites. Proper steps should be taken, so that city in general can be less affected by it. Some of the steps that must be taken are:

• Burning of waste materials: this is often referred as thermal treatment. It can be use to refuse the volume of wastes and the land needed for it is not much.
• Landfill: Collection and transporting wastes from households, construction sites and factories and disposing in a landfill, far away from town. This is highly cost effective.
• Recycling of waste: The aim is to minimise the pressure upon the environment. It deals with reusing the product and transforming into new products.
• Reduction of waste: The process involves the reuse of second hand products and broken items instead of buying new ones.

Automation:

Use of automation system involves use of electronics for controlling different things apparatus or process of everyday life. The progress of man from analog to digital phase has been immense .The rise of machines has lead to huge advancements. Automation system involves usage of integrated computing system that automatically controls building operations, security, light system, energy management, fire safety control etc. Automation is very important for achieving smart city as it highlights the immense progress of mankind. Automation gadgets have become highly popular in the recent times, it saves time and energy. Some of the famous gadgets are: One Touch Automation system, Brio Outlet and Home Safety System, Belkin Wemo Light Switch, Philips Hue Personal Wireless Lighting and many more.

Some of the common advantages of automation living are:

• A high level of accuracy in every task
• Saving of time
• A sense of security
• Consumption of less energy
• Replacing humans for the tasks that involves high level of danger
• Economic Improvement
• Higher level of development and maintenance
• Electricity:Electric power is a great source of energy. Consumption of electric power is very essential for human being around the globe. Smart city talks about the usage of electricity from the source that does not hamper the environment .Electricity for green city involves the usage of renewable energy sources that will not run out. To gain advantage in electric consumption, renewable energy resources should be implemented in public transport, insulation of buildings, street lighting etc. Some of the common methods of achieving green electricity are:
  • Wind Power: Winds harnessed by turbines to provide electricity.
  • Solar Power: Conversion of sunlight into directly into electricity.
  • Hydro Power: Use of small dam for the production of electricity.
  • Wave Power: Usage of high energy power of waves to produce electricity.

  Other than this there is Geothermal, Biomass, Landfill gas and more ways to produce energy efficient energy.

   Greenery:Greenery matters, green space is highly important for the proper functioning of city. The concept of urban farming, urban gardening all are highly important. Green spaces in a city are highly essential for climatic stability and for emission of various components in the ecosystem. Here are some basic practises for achieving perfect green condition around the city:

  • Urban farming: Growing plants in and out of the city, as well as raising animals.
  • Setting up of eco-park: Target is to flourish economy and decreasing environmental effect.
  • Urban Infill: Return to urban dense living.
  • Walkable Urbanism: Advocation of diverse living, walkable streets, accessible open space etc.
  • The growth of human being has surpassed every expectation. With the rise of advancement of industrialization, human being has highly vacated the ecosystem. The concept of smart city is created for amalgamation of natural and automated system to bring in advancement and prosperity. Smart city is the need of the hour.

• Authored by a Building Expert from Wienerberger India, World Leaders in Building Material Solutions since 1819

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