By sanjit Posted 26-04-2024 Architecture
Goa, in recent years, has been rapidly undergoing urbanization. With new bridges, an airport, and roads, Goa is not only evolving as a sought-after tourist destination but has also embarked on the journey towards becoming a smart city. The concept of smart cities is being recognized as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. Various advancing technologies are leveraged to achieve this. With the information amalgamated by harnessing the power of emerging technologies, the city can efficiently manage resources, services, and assets, thereby improving operations. The Government of India selected Panaji, the capital of Goa, as one of the 100 emerging smart cities through the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). This initiative has been put in place to seamlessly integrate innovative technology and urban development strategies to enhance the city’s infrastructure, increase economic growth, and improve quality of life.
The Smart City Mission has been mapped out with the aim and vision to drastically reduce congestion and air pollution, promote security, encourage interaction, and drive the local economy, to name a few.
The challenge to optimize urban operations, improve quality of life, and support sustainability lies in ensuring the seamless integration of digital infrastructure with conventional city systems. Connectivity and innovation form the very foundation of a smart city, upon which we can build efficient transportation networks, employ digital governance, implement sustainable energy practices, and so on. There are a range of key features that make a smart city:
The implementation of technologies like smart grids, IoT sensors, and improved traffic management systems helps with smart city transformations by optimizing energy, utilities, and transportation. IoT sensors can successfully be leveraged to monitor energy consumption in buildings as well as traffic flow. Several traffic management systems are available in the market that use real-time data to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. Smart grids help with structured electricity distribution.
High-speed internet access and widespread connectivity enable the smooth operations of online government services, smart transportation systems, and digital healthcare. The 'Goa Intelligent City Management System—Panaji City’ project led to the installation of 500 public WiFi access points. Some of the locations include important junctions, the surrounding areas of government offices and educational institutions, certain road stretches, parks, and marketplaces. The start of this year recorded a whopping 900 users per day across Panaji.
Smart cities, especially in this day and age where global warming is an urgent concern, prioritize environmental sustainability. This is achieved by implementing effective waste management systems, green building practices, and renewable energy sources. Goa is witnessing an increase in luxury real estate investments where solar energy projects, rainwater harvesting systems, and green building codes are being adopted. At Kasu, we are committed to building luxury villa projects in Goa that are sustainable and modern.
Real-time data collected from various sources like traffic cameras, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), smart meters, and IoT sensors permits better decision-making for key stakeholders. When these data points are integrated and analyzed, city authorities can make better-informed decisions, enhance resource allocation, and provide responsive public services in smart cities.
Smart transportation solutions such as intelligent traffic management, well-equipped parking spaces, and electric vehicles are sure to improve mobility as well as reduce pollution. Smart City operations in Goa aim to roll out around 50 e-buses that will be operated by KTCL (Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd. The charging stations for these buses have been set up in Campal (Panaji) and Porvorim.
A total of 35 projects are being implemented by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL) in Goa. The projects that are taken under the SCM in Panaji include the implementation of a smart radio wireless network with mast towers, the upgradation of solid waste management infrastructure, and smart classrooms in government-run schools. The solid waste management infrastructure comprises two biodigester plants of 5 tonnes per day (TPD) including five years of operation and maintenance, 10 aeration system units for composting, and two composters for leaf litter.
All the smart city projects are expected to go live by June of this year. Smart cities, once successfully implemented, will help create more livable, resilient, and sustainable urban environments with an improved quality of life for their residents.
Read our blog on some of the top locations for young people to buy homes and things to consider before buying land in Goa.
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