Smart Cities Council to launch guide for urban planners

New Delhi: Smart Cities Council India, which has been formed to promote development of smart cities, will launch a guide to help urban planners understand the framework of smart city and take steps to improve city's infrastructure. US-based Smart Cities Council, an industry coalition to advance smart city development and innovation, had reached agreement with Foundation of Infrastructure Research Studies Training President Pratap Padode to launch the India chapter.

The Indian chapter would recruit smart cities experts in the country to develop a 'Readiness Guide for India', the Council said in a statement. The guide, which will have local case studies, would also enable city leaders and urban planners to understand the comprehensive framework of a smart city and take actionable steps toward major city infrastructure improvements. "The first mission for Smart Cities Council India is to launch the Smart Cities Readiness Guide for India," said Padode.

Smart Cities Council India will catapult Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 100 smart cities programme onto the global stage, the statement said. "India is the ideal location for a Smart Cities Council. We are proud to partner with entrepreneurs such as Pratap Padode along with Indian civil society, scientists and engineers to develop smart cities solutions," said Philip Bane, executive director of the Smart Cities Council.

Globally, Smart Cities Council advises on equipping cities with tools and knowledge to cope with expanding populations, shrinking budgets and aging infrastructure, the statement said. Its goal is to accelerate the growth of smart cities worldwide by providing city leaders with best practices and vendor-neutral guidance on technology, finance, policy and, citizen engagement.