In news: Smart Code Platform & New Smart Cities Website have been launched recently
About Smart Code Platform
- SmartCode is a platform that enables all ecosystem stakeholders to contribute to a repository of open-source code for various solutions and applications for urban governance.
- It is designed to address the challenges that Urban Local Bodies face in the development and deployment of digital applications to address urban challenges, by enabling cities to take advantage of existing codes and customising them to suit local needs, rather than having to develop new solutions from scratch.
- As a repository of open-source software, the source code available on the platform will be free to use without any licensing or subscription fees, thus limiting costs to those involved with customising the code and developing a locally-relevant solution.
About New Smart Cities Website ver. 2.0 and GMIS
- In order to better connect with people on the Smart Cities Missions efforts and achievements, and to make it easier for ULBs and citizens to access resources related to their work, the Smart Cities Mission website has been redesigned to serve as a single stop for all Smart Cities initiatives.
- The Geospatial Management Information System (GMIS) is integrated with this website.
- The website creates a single window hub for Smart Cities Mission.
- A portal that works as a gateway to all the platforms and initiatives launched under the Mission.
- The website, through a seamless and a unified interface, aggregates all mission related information/initiatives from the various platforms and show automated mission updates catering to the needs of a public user.
- The website has been developed to be used as a highly effective communication and outreach tool.
Smart Cities Mission
National Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Government of India with the mission to develop smart cities across the country, making them citizen friendly and sustainable.
Vision: The purpose of the Smart Cities Mission is to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local area development and harnessing technology, especially technology that leads to Smart outcomes.
Objective: To develop 100 cities all over the country making them citizen friendly and sustainable
4 approaches adopted for development of Smart Cities:
- Retrofitting
- Redevelopment
- Greenfield development
- Pan-city development
Other initiatives
To further make cities sustainable and resilient, The ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF) was rolled out in 100 Smart Cities to help cities look at urban planning and governance from a climate change lens, with a second round of annual assessment currently underway. A Climate Centre for Cities (C3) has been established in National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). A number of national challenges like India Cycles4Change Challenge, Streets for People Challenge, Nurturing Neighbourhoods challenge have been implemented as well.