Smart and Human

The 20th century changed the way we live. Human population went up from 1.5 billion in 1900 to 7 billion in 2010. The hope of a better life drove–and continues to drive–people to urban areas, leading to the growth of megacities around the world.In India, just three metropolises–New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata–support a total population of 55 million and feature among the ten most populated cities on Earth. Between 2015 and 2030, India’s GDP is expected to multiply five times, with over 70 per cent of new employment generated in cities. Close to 800 million square metres of commercial and residential space needs to be built to serve this population. That is roughly the equivalent of building a new Chicago every year, and amounts to over $1.2 trillion in investments.Does India have a new model of urban development to cope? Can the quality of urban life be improved? Can cities become places that promote happiness?Smart and Human argues that these are not unreachable, utopian dreams. It is not only imperative but also possible to build cities that are energy efficient, environment friendly, futuristic in their architecture and integrated in their infrastructure. The 21st century could change the way we live–yet again: a Smart India powered by its Smart Cities.