As an urban planner with conscious heart toward sustainability I always try to find its core idea that leads to the path towards sustainable development. Is it the need of the hour due to environment degradation? Is it the recent fad? what makes our fraternity more conscious about this thing?
As a planner I tried to find answers to my above stated queries and it further led me to explore my beliefs and religion that I practice. As I read more on this aspect I began to realize that Hinduism is not a religion but its a way of life that one should lead in his/her lifetime. In this world there could be millions of material manifestations and forms, but the sustaining force for all is not material but spiritual. Everything has life, so all the life is reverent and has to be protected, upheld and sustained. Respect for the environment is the part of Hinduism where earth is our mother, the mountains are abodes of gods, trees are sacred, rivers are holy, and the animals are vehicles of the Gods, and above all, man’s sustenance has to be ecological.
Hinduism also talks about the essence of vegetarianism: eco-consciousness. There is no absolute truth in Hinduism, truth is relative, and so is our diet. The consumption of animal flesh itself is not non-vegetarian. If an Eskimo killed an animal and ate its meat to survive, or in the desert one kills someone for its flesh, he is still vegetarian. This is because, in the food chain, one consumes the least life form for one’s survival. But in case of tropical India, where there is plenty of vegetation, kill only vegetable, because it has a lesser life quantum than an animal. One doesn’t need to consume more than necessary; there is enough for everyone’s need.
Thus, sustainability can be defined from spirituality and Hinduism which is essentially a dialogue of values that defies consensual definition. This aspect is the strength of India and I am sure that this path will reveal a permanent path to sustainability to all architects and urban planners.
photo credit: Arun Katiyar
Tag Archives: green cities
photo credit: Barry & PK As an Urban …
photo credit: Barry & PK
As an Urban Planner working for the last 5 years in small and big cities I have understood one thing that in order to reclaim the aura of Indian cities that existed in past, it is pertinent to focus on sustainability in energy usage, transportation and city administration while implementing any new policies. So, my big idea for cities in 2012 is encouraging urban sustainability in policy measures that would help in improving the plight of our cities.
Lately we have seen a sudden upsurge of new cities encouraging new urbanism and sustainability but while building new cities we should not forget our close to 3,500 cities that requires immediate attention. In this post I would specifically mention those cities that already exist and require strong policy measures for sustainable development and its successful implementation.
Sustainability is not a recent fad in India; infact sustainability in city planning started early- almost 4,500 years back, with the Indus valley Civilisation. The cities of Mohen jo Daro and Harappa were amongst the world’s earliest and most unique examples of urban design but unfortunately in modern India, development in towns and cities has somehow not kept pace with the sustainability measures.
With globalization and increasing job opportunities in metropolitan as well as tier II and III cities, people from villages and small cities are tempted to migrate for better standard of living. Since, core areas in existing cities are already congested with no space for proposed housing, development authorities and private developers are building housing in suburban areas that is leading to problems related to pollution and congestion from private vehicles commuting to core areas for work. Without adequate transportation facilities such as BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) and TOD’s (Transit Oriented Development) people rely on their private vehicles for transportation that can have significant impact on the city’s environment. Vehicles account for between 20% and 25% of the world’s energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, while expanding our city limits to accommodate more people it is important to encourage sustainability in commuting systems by introducing BRTS, local rail system, pedestrian friendly walking, cycling, transit oriented development.
Energy usage in a sustainable manner is another focus area that can help in building sustainable cities. With depleting water and power resources it is important to encourage renewable power sources such as solar energy and wind energy to meet power requirements in residential and commercial buildings. In India many states have started giving incentives for developers promoting these technologies in their projects. Besides that, encouraging rainwater harvesting and efficient storm water management network also leads to sustainable development in cities.
In order to achieve all the above stated objectives, it is important for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs’) to strengthen their financial position by improving their efficiencies in order to ensure sustainability of infrastructure investments. A strong and efficient ULB demonstrate its sustainability by providing its plan for supporting reforms that it proposes to undertake. For example, the ULB’s proposal for levy and enhancement of user charges and taxes, any other sources of revenue identified to make the project viable (eg. tolls, development cess, parking and advertisement fees, betterment levy, etc.)
While planning for an Urban Sustainable city, it is critical to analyse proper urban planning and urban sustainability while proposing any new policy for development. The success of the urban sustainability depends mainly on efficient ULB’s and inclusive development with appropriate funding mechanism in place. A joint effort by the governments, civil society and the private sector and an impartial political interest with a national vision only can save the urban centres of India from the challenges associated with climate change and population impact.
What is your one big idea for cities in 2012? Submit a blog post to info@theurbanvision.com along with a bio & Pic.
I am currently in Portland till August 2011, …
I am currently in Portland till August 2011, representing The Urban Vision as a Young Urban Leader. Portland is one of the greenest cities in the world and I hope to learn a lot of good urban practices while I am here that could be replicated or adapted for India.I must say that because of my usual adaptability, Portland was not hard to adjust to. I didn’t have a notable jet lag. I didn’t feel out of place, thrown in a different city in another continent (pause) on the other side of the world!
But there were things that struck me as unusual. A grid-pattern city; the simple logic of home addresses; the idea of blocks; cats as pets; people of all ages and races walking and bicycling on the road ready with a smile on their face; the general respect amongst car users for pedestrians/bicyclists; the on-time buses (even though you might have to wait 25-40 minutes for the next one); the government office that wasn’t dilapidated and in fact led the way in using recycled material and eco-friendly design; garbage recycling in every home and office; grills and breweries; street-side cafes along well-paved sidewalks and bike lanes; the line-up of huge forest-size trees along the street; over 50 blocks of single-owner houses (with yards) as against skyscrapers for living; and the amazing toilet flush technology!
Well, two weeks later, I think I am getting used to these novelties. I don’t find the water spout that squirts water against gravity right into your mouth uncomfortable or messy. I know exactly where to place my hands in front of the tap and soap dispenser with automatic hand detection to ensure a steady flow of water and soap respectively. I don’t get lost around office trying to find something as simple as a staircase or a colleague. I don’t keep waiting in amazement when a car stops for me to cross and instead thank the driver and move on to cross rapidly. I don’t find it odd to travel for over 40 minutes covering 2.3 miles to reach office on foot (I’ve got all the time in the world!).
The trimet website doesn’t seem to confuse me anymore, resulting in a lower reliance on Google Transit (sorry Google!). I don’t spend money on messaging or calling trimet for bus arrival info in real time because I have managed to get comfortable with my internet-enabled smart phone to access the trimet mobile website from anywhere. My struggles with the yellow wire on the bus which is pulled to indicate a stop request to the driver have exceptionally lowered. I remember to smile to the driver when I get on and thank the driver when I get off, without missing the idea of a bus conductor to issue me a ticket.
This city loves to talk, but I don’t feel totally taken aback now when a stranger at the bus stop or on the light-rail starts discussing the weather or the soccer match with me. In fact, I remember to reply to keep the conversation going. And of course, I don’t miss the constant honking of cars and trcuks that I could hear everyday in Delhi even from my home.
PS: I will be profiling a series of Urbanists and urbanism best practices from the city!
photo credit: Ian Sane