Smart cities to address climate issues: Venkaiah Naidu

Venkaiah NaiduExpressing concern over rising air pollution and deteriorating sanitation in urban areas adversely impacting quality of urban life, Minister of Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the objective of smart cities initiative is to promote living in harmony with nature.

The minister emphasised on reorientation of urban designing and planning to address climate change concerns. “Climate change concerns need to be factored in urban development strategies and action plans,” he said at the convocation of the Energy Research Institute.

Referring to poor urban transport infrastructure with reliance on growing motorised individual transport, unscientific municipal solid waste and sewage management, outdated Building Bye-laws etc., Naidu said that his ministry is seeking to address these concerns under new initiatives like smart cities, infrastructure development in 500 cities, Swachh Bharat Mission etc.

He stressed on the need for increased adoption of new and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power and green building construction practices.