Page 40 - Shelter-April 2024
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POLICY REVIEW


              reduce energy costs and         on occupancy and energy         to create eco-friendly urban
              environmental impact.           demand, leading to cost         spaces and set new standards
                                              savings    and     improved     for smart city development in
              Smart    cities  are    using   sustainability[16].      The    the country[17].
              technology to improve the       integration     of      these
              efficiency,     sustainability  technologies     in    smart    Community  Engagement
              and quality of life of its      city planning is essential  and Behavioural Change
              residents. In this context,     for     creating      energy-
              integrated renewable energy,    efficient, sustainable, and     Community       involvement
              smart grids, the Internet of    interconnected         urban    and awareness are pivotal
              Things (IoT) and a variety      environments.                   in  fostering  energy-efficient
              of other technologies are       Cities are live example of how   practices   within    smart
              being implemented. Building     cutting-edge technologies can     cities. Engaging residents
              automation systems plays        enhance  energy  efficiency     in  energy-saving  initiatives
              a major role  in shaping  the   and sustainability in an        and promoting sustainable
                                                                              behaviours  can  significantly
              future of urban environments.   urban setup. Chandigarh,
              These     technologies    are   known for its planned layout,   reduce energy consumption
                                                                              and  environmental  impact.
              instrumental in optimising      and Shillong, a city under
              energy usage, reducing carbon   the Smart Cities Mission,       Participation   in    energy
                                                                              efficiency programs fosters
              footprint,  and    improving    are  prime  examples  of  this   behavioural         changes
              overall resource management     trend.   Chandigarh    Smart
              within smart cities. By using     City Limited is implementing   supporting the adoption of
                                                                              energy-saving technologies.
              solar power, wind power, and    energy reform projects like     Involving  members of the
              hydroelectric  power,  cities   energy-efficient    buildings   community in sustainable
              can reduce carbon dioxide       and smart grid systems to       projects and teaching  them
              emissions    and     promote    optimise energy consumption     about the advantages  of
              cleaner  urban  environments.   and reduce carbon emissions.    energy efficiency fosters a
              Smart networks are essential    Additionally,   Chandigarh’s    sense of shared responsibility
              to efficiently distribute energy   e-governance    initiatives  and community ownership for
              in smart cities, maximising     have transformed the city       environmental preservation.
              energy use using advanced       into   a    knowledge-based     Local         community-led
              technologies such as sensors    society. Similarly, Shillong is   initiatives  provide  people
              and      automation,     and    prioritising energy efficiency   the power to make educated
              improving the reliability of    and sustainability through      decisions, which contributes
              the network. The Internet of    renewable energy adoption       to overall energy saving.
              Things (IoT) is an essential    and    smart    infrastructure
              tool for connecting smart city   development.          Other    Through     advocacy     and
              devices and infrastructure,     cities  like   Bhopal    and    smart  technology  adoption,
              enabling data-based decision-   Pune are also leveraging        communities drive positive
              making      and     real-time   technology     for    energy-   change    towards    greener
              energy system monitoring to     efficient      infrastructure,  urban          environments,
              improve  efficiency.  Building   smart         transportation   enhancing residents’ quality
              automation systems further      systems, and green building     of life[18]. India’s Long-Term
              enhance energy efficiency in    practices. These  case studies   Low-Carbon     Development
              smart cities by automating      demonstrate how Indian cities   Strategy   encourages     the
              building   functions   based    are embracing technology        development of behavioural


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