School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi

About: School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi is a education organization based out in New Delhi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Smart city. The organization has 278 authors who have published 347 publications receiving 1665 citations.

Integration of Existing Information Systems as a Spatial eDemocracy Tool for Smart Cities in India

Abstract: During the past couple of decades, advances in digital technology have led to establishment of information systems at sectoral levels like urban, environment, forest, demography (census) and more The information system for urban areas in India exists in the form of National Urban Information System (NUIS) with the objective to facilitate planning, maintenance and governance of municipal areas The use of NUIS for planning has been initiated in some urban centers by utilizing the data for preparation of master plans There are other sectors that play an important role in an urban milieu These sectors have their own existing systems in place based on information technology The call of the day is to use these systems in tandem with each other so as to build a comprehensive plan for urban area which is a step towards building smart cities The authors advocate the integrated use of the information systems that exist in isolation The approach being exhorted is to particularly use the data in NUIS and data in ENVironmental Information System (ENVIS) as eDemocracy tools towards building smart cities The available data in both the information systems can be integrated with the perspective of preparation of a master plan as per the Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines An emphasis is being laid out to incorporate the environmental aspect in mainstream master planning through a suggested framework so as to come up with environmentally sensitive master plans to build sustainable smart cities for posterity The integration of the two systems will bring in the spatial component into information based democracy and lead to a spatial eDemocratic society

E-Governance and Smart Cities: Cases of Ahmedabad and Hyderabad

Abstract: Smart cities are smart not only in terms of higher level of services but also having an efficient and effective system. Its locationality brings balanced regional development. Better governed institutions are the one where procedures are transparent. E-Governance has increased the interlinkages between different departments. Through E-Governance, services provided are varying from birth/death certificate, booking of community facilities and town planning. The usage of mobile for M-Governance also provides last mile connectivity and its applicability streamlines not only the data collection but also analysis. The chapter attempts to understand the definitions of E-Governance and its parameters. Through two case studies of Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, it tries to find answers of: whether E-Governance or M-Governance’s implementation led to transformative governance including increased participation or transparent administration or not? and where both the cities stand in the 5 stages of E-Governance evolution from basic web presence to well-connected smart governance and 4 model of non-transformation of government structure to creation of smart administration to rearranging the position of government within the urban system.

A Gandhian Framework for Social Design: The Work of Laurie Baker and Hunnarshala

Abstract: The paper examines the ideas and works of two architectural design practices, Hunnarshala and Laurie Baker that emerged over a period of time in different geographies. The paper argues that their architectural practices reflect consistent Gandhian ethos and highlight discursive elements of a Gandhian framework. The paper employs a reflexive ‘making-sense’ of actual, lived experience; reading them as ‘texts’ using as a lens, the works of thinkers and practitioners in the field of social design, including ideas on grassroots creativity and innovation. As derivation, it advances a unified framework for social design and innovation that transcends distinctions of scale, time, and geography, as a Gandhian framework, where one may contextualize various design and innovation practices within the spectrum.

An exploration of natural capital in the context of multiple deprivations

Abstract: Urban poverty research has moved from income-consumption perspective to a more informed and multi-dimensional approach. Issues such as powerlessness, insecurity, exclusion and many others which did not find much acceptance in this domain earlier are increasingly being considered the key to understanding the multiple deprivations that the poor face. Urban environmental issues, which may affect the poor in their own way, still get little attention. This research, using remote sensing techniques is an attempt to understand the environmental aspects of deprivation for the Indian city of Kalyan-Dombivli. An index of environmental quality was constructed using thermal information, vegetation and building density. The final index shows that environmental quality is worst in areas occupied by slums.

Travel Probability Fields – An approach to understand travel behavior: Case study of slum dwellers in Kolkata, India

Abstract: Transport is an important contributor to the well-being of individuals and communities. Lack of suitable and affordable transportation can be a significant barrier to participation of different groups of population in a developing society. The current approach for planning for informal population in developing countries such as India is sadly not based on informed policy decisions backed up by scientific investigation of travel behavior of such communities. As a result, the transport investment decisions are more political in nature, which do not adequately address the needs of the informal community in their day-to-day mobility requirements. In this context, Travel Probability Fields offer a potential analytical tool to understand the travel behavior of population under study and evolve need-based transport investment decisions particularly when the resources are scarce in the context of developing countries. The present paper is an attempt to assess the mobility needs of slum dwellers in the city of Kolkata in east India to identify their travel behavior using Travel Probability Fields (TPF) in order to arrive at scientific based transport policy intervention for urban poor. The paper based on mobility patterns of slum dwellers located in different locations in the city of Kolkata develops Travel Probability Fields for various trip purposes and travel modes in order to assess the impact of location of slums and accessibility to public transport on travel patterns.