ADB says committed to supporting India’s ambitious plan to build 100 smart cities
ADB support India’s ambitious plan to build 100 smart cities in Country
ADB (Asian Development Bank), which is Manila based bank stated that they are committed to support India’s most ambitious plan, which is to build around 100 smart cities in the country. As per the statement of Takehiko Nakao, who is the President of Asian Development Bank, “Our bank will continue to play an important role in driving the development of inclusive, resilient, green and eco friendly cities and for the global climate change agenda and success of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It is expected that the use of intelligent systems and latest technology will improve the urban services for the poor, which will include the affordable transportation and as well as including sanitation, officials said in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2015. From starting Asian Development Bank was committed to support the India’s 100 smart cities initiative. Now it’s perfect time to make the cities greener, so that they can become more resource and energy efficient through promotion of low carbon emission or development and as well as the smart use of natural sources such as; water.
He said, “If we want to see the real growth we need to invest more in mass public transport systems and in better waste and wastewater management process, which means to make the transport systems more integrated for better and convenient uses. The more he added that to make the cities more resilient decision makers we should consider the climate change and natural hazards risks while designing cities as well as the urban infrastructure. It is well known fact that small up-front investments are able to save lives and avoid large scale infrastructure rebuilding and rehabilitation costs later”. Now it’s time to invest more in climate resilient infrastructure like; bigger storm-water retention reservoirs to accommodate variations in rainfall, enlarged drainage systems in cities and elevated roads. At Asian Development Bank, approx. all investment projects are screened for climate risks.
All the green, resilient and inclusive cities need better governance and more effective institutions for management as greater use of integrated urban planning and better use of land can attract more timely investments for resilient and more sustainable infrastructure. For example; It could consider the new finance instruments to better mobilize local resources like; through PPPs (public private partnerships) or municipal bond mechanisms. As per the statement of ADB President, 2015 can be the milestone for international development in India.
It is expected that an agreement on SDGs for 2015 agenda will appear in the September United Nations (UN) summit, which is going to held in New York and in December there are chances for new climate deal to be agreed at COP 21 in Paris.
