Future Cities: Development should take place keeping in mind Indian context in mind, say experts

Experts in building cities and towns unanimously opined that development should take place keeping in mind the Indian context and blindly following the West should not be encouraged.

Experts from IIT Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Science, universities of Tokyo and Edinburgh took part in the day-long discussion on ‘Future Cities: Prospects and Challenges’ at Eco Park.

It was jointly organised by West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) and IIT Kharagpur. The speakers also agreed that a follow up workshop to discuss human behaviour as a design technique would be held which will be organised by IIT Kharagpur. The workshop was inaugurated by Bruce Bucknell, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata.

A speaker from Amsterdam said all vehicles were allowed up to a certain point and after that people have to walk to reach their destination.

Such brainstorming sessions not only enrich the participants but also help the government officials and planners to prepare foolproof schemes. It may be recalled that the state government has prepared Township policy and six townships are coming up in south and north Bengal.

New Town is the first township that provides modern amenities to its residents. The entire stretch on Biswa Bangla Sarani covering a distance of 13.5 km has become Wi-fi enabled road. A graded track for cyclists is coming up at New Town. People can hire a cycle, finish his work and return it to authorities after paying the requisite charges. 

This will be introduced in New Town, a venture which the first of its kind in India. Steps have been taken to replace all the street lights by LED lights. New Town has been declared as a green city and steps have been taken to increase its green cover. A modern garbage removal scheme has also been taken up.