News
TUM Mumbai: State visit of the Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to India
During a week-long state visit to India, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gave a speech in front of students at Delhi University on March 23, 2018.
In his speech, the Federal President emphasized the importance and challenge – for both India and Germany alike – to cope with technical advancements and to invest in science and research “to create conditions for ground-breaking innovation”. In this context, he also acknowledged the contribution that the German House for Research and Innovation (DWIH) in Delhi makes to foster the bilateral research collaborations of the two countries.
Since 2012 TUM is a member of the DWIH in India. Together with the other members, TUM Mumbai organizes dialogues, workshops and conferences to further raise the visibility of TUM as a hub for excellent research and innovation in India and to intensify the research cooperation of TUM scientists with Indian partners.
From left to right: Hanna Kriebel (TUM Mumbai), Dr. Stefan Diederich (Freie Universität Berlin), Julian Zix (Dr. Wamser + Batra GmbH), Dr. Roshan Paul (Indo-German Science & Technology Centre, IGSTC), Naina Narke (DAAD New Delhi), Elke Büdenbender, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Volker Lennart Plän (Hanns Seidel Foundation India), Radu Carciumaru (Heidelberg University) und Anandi Iyer (Fraunhofer). Image: Federal Press Office
Posted on 11 Apr 2018
Coimbatore
The
significance of participation exercise in inclusive planning was highlighted by
Mr. C.R. Swaminathan, President, Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore,
during his keynote address. It was mentioned that Coimbatore is a very
progressive city and open to ideas for city development. The inaugural session
also offered an overview of the urban policy progression in India and the smart
cities mission. The challenges faced in smart city proposal implementation were
particularly highlighted, including key aspects such as capacity building of
the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV), financial sustainability of the ULBs, PPP
modelling, structuring and ring fencing of projects following a consortium
approach that ensures end to end tying up of projects to ensure their financial
sustainability (Manvendra Deswal).
The
session on inclusive cities brought out the need for careful evaluation of city
plans and proposals with respect to city needs and the need to strengthen the
democratically elected local government that offers a responsible governance
structure (D. Dhanuraj). Capacity building of ULB officials as also the elected
representatives was particularly highlighted (N. Muthuswamy). Concern was also
expressed over the delay in the conduct of municipal elections in Coimbatore
that adversely impacts democratic governance and stalls the city development
efforts (Rumi Aijaz). The session also brought out city redesign ideas through
appropriate density planning and redevelopment of old areas (abandoned industrial
areas). Emphasis was given on planning land use based on work-living
relationships and creation of open breathing lung spaces within the city core
(Nirmal S.J. Britto).
The
next session focussed on resource management. Efficient waste management by
segregation and composting and at the same time transitioning to a circular
economy (integration of rag pickers and financial sustainability) was given
emphasis (Chitra Mukherjee). The gender concerns and aspect of equity was
specifically discussed with respect to urban water systems. The need for
understanding exclusion factors was pointed out to be important (Dipesh
Suvarna).
Several
methods of eco-friendly treatment of wastewater at various levels, including
river, lakes, wetland and household wastewater, were discussed. Some of the
methods described included vetiver technology; reed bed system for landfills
and effective microorganisms activated solution (EMAS) (Selvakumar). The need
for reducing urban energy consumption was particularly stressed upon to achieve
energy efficiency and contribute to sustainable environment. It was suggested
that small measures including terrace gardens, sky rise greeneries, basement
car parking and green spaces in setback areas within the high rise residential
apartments can go a long way in reducing urban heat emissions (Bhuvanasundar).
Smart
resource management is also about smart integration of services that can
significantly lower the operations cost and achieve efficient maintenance. For
this, the need for connected infrastructure and information networks was
pointed out (Siddharth Ravikumar). A video on Coimbatore’s journey towards
resuscitating its water bodies was shown by “Siruthuli” — an NGO based in
Coimbatore. The importance of people’s participation in increasing urban green
growth, waste management and recharge of water bodies was highlighted. The need
for synergising innovative solutions and people’s participation to bring out smart
and sustainable urban development was particularly emphasised (Vanitha Mohan).
The
final session on smart infrastructure and mobility brought out aspects related
to smart transportation and power infrastructure with specific reference to
Coimbatore. Emphasis was laid on smart power grid management that focussed on
information centralisation, energy supervision, correct cost assignment and
preventive maintenance planning through smart transformers and programmable
devices for quality monitoring (M. Sundaram).
An overview of
urban development of Coimbatore was given with particular emphasis on its
regional interactions with other cities such as Tiruppur, Madurai and Palakkad.
The need for establishment of an urban development authority was emphasised for
planned development of Coimbatore. Key routes for improving intercity and intra
city transportation were discussed (Arun Prasad). Further, the urban built
environment of Coimbatore was discussed with reference to its lakes and water
tanks. The initiative within the smart city proposal to establish green
connectors (non-motorised transport corridors and pedestrian skywalks) around
the lakes as a mechanism to remove/prevent encroachments on natural water
channels and contribute towards smart mobility was discussed (Sarfaraz Syed
Yaseen).
Posted on 17 Oct 2017
WORKSHOPS ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
The
inaugural session focussed on the conceptual understanding of the idea of smart
cities. The smart city programme was described as an “evolving idea” that has
been built upon previous reform measures and includes creation of specialised
entities such as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), Smart City Advisory Forum,
etc., and use of digital technology for improved service delivery and
governance. Specific emphasis was laid on looking at the paradigm difference in
interpreting the concept (subjective vs. objective) of smart cities, and the
governance challenges in implementing the smart city plans. It was reiterated
that the smart cities mission should be seen as an “opportunity to reorient ourselves”
through redefining the idea of smartness, prioritising what is smart (natural
vs. man-made) and by integration of local wisdom with global knowledge and
technology.
The
session on ‘inclusive cities’ reiterated the need for understanding city needs with
respect to its people and the urban poor (Bhawna Bali). Specific example of a
slum clearance measure in Dharamshala was shared and its negative impacts on
the lives of slum dwellers were highlighted (Manshi Asher). Stress was given on
inclusive planning for poor neighbourhoods and migrant population. Also, it was
suggested that the socio-economic profile of the slum population be considered
in planning rehabilitation. A presentation on big data and command control
centres was made to draw attention to possible negative impacts (Leon Morenas).
This showed how cities are being viewed as a collection of numbers and their
issues being delinked from their history and political economy. The possible
misuse of sensitive information in the name of surveillance was also pointed
out. Further, various aspects of education (such as the curriculum, learning
outcomes, enrolment) to be considered in the making of a smart city as also
smart citizens were highlighted (Shruti Taneja). Integration of ICT into school
curriculum as also for teacher development and management was pointed as an
important enabler to create smart schools and responsive education system.
‘Smart
infrastructure and mobility’, the second session, critically examined
affordable housing programmes and pointed out that the end user and their needs
be considered in planning for affordable housing (Abhijit Datey). Other aspects
discussed included use of local building material and technology to construct
housing that is sensitive and responds to its natural landscape (Dhruv Sud).
However, given the enormity of the housing shortage in the country, the need
for cost effective solutions and alternative construction management technology
was highlighted. Discussion also took place on building resilience in hill
cities for disaster management and integrating the same with sectoral planning
(Komal Kantariya). It was mentioned that settlement structure should be
responsive/sensitive to its natural conditions (topography), local culture and
belief systems (through involvement of people) (Sugandha). Further, due to the
hilly terrain, it is important to take into account the proximity to
infrastructure and resources while planning settlements.
With
reference to Shimla, it was said that the urban design should be such that it
helps the city rediscover its identity while becoming progressive and modern in
technology use (Anshu Dadwal). Emphasis was laid on local economic development
and improved tourist infrastructure. Smart urban mobility options were also
discussed in this session especially with respect to hill cities, including the
need for: (a) alternative transport modes such as rope ways and dedicated
walking and cycling tracks; (b) traffic management measures through route
planning (one-way/lane segregation); and (c) use of IT for traffic management
and accident response (Deepti Jain, Hitanshu Jitshu).
The
use of alternative technologies for building construction especially in cold
climates for achieving energy efficiency (G. Kanagraj) was discussed during the
third session on ‘smart resource management’. Innovative green solutions for
mobility (solar power operated transportation), clean water (waste water recycling, recharge water bodies) and air (low carbon emissions through
national voluntary program to reduce greenhouse emissions, green building and
green product development, and creating waste free societies) were particularly
highlighted (Shalini Sharma). It was emphasised that common ideas need to be
debated to manage common resources (Abhishek Taneja).
The
session on ‘smart governance’ again emphasised the need for provision of ICT
driven citizen-centric services. The significance of evolving
guidelines/policies accommodating the concerns of the hill cities and
imposition of penalty to ensure rule compliance was also discussed. SMART was
interpreted as Sustainable-Measurable-Achievable-Resilient-Transformation of
cities. The session also brought out larger urban management issues such as
citizen participation in urban governance, non/partial-implementation of
important urban reforms including 74th CAA, gaps in planning and implementation
of key infrastructure, non-addressal of issues such as peri-urbanisation,
regional development and spatial planning (A.N. Gautam).
Further, a
detailed presentation on Smart City Proposal of Shimla city by Prashant Sirkek
(Joint Commissioner, Shimla Municipal Corporation) brought out key concerns
requiring attention, such as ropeways, environment conservation measures
(including ban on felling of trees), innovative waste management through waste
to energy plants, etc.
Posted on 17 Oct 2017
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